About the course
This practical, hands-on course will give you the skills to care for a wide range of animals. You’ll study the feeding, handling and housing of animals. You’ll also learn about protecting the natural environment, wild plants and animals.
Why choose Brackenhurst
Brackenhurst is set in stunning countryside just a bus ride away from Nottingham city centre. We are part of Nottingham Trent University. We offer college courses alongside our degree courses, all taught by our skilled, experienced and supportive staff.
At Brackenhurst, you’ll have access to incredible facilities. These include an animal unit, equestrian centre, laboratories, library and gardens and fields that are overflowing with plants and wildlife. Studying with us means that you’ll be a part of an amazing learning environment. You get all the perks of being part of a big university, but you will still enjoy the comforts of a friendly college.
Getting here
Brackenhurst is easy to get to. We’re just 14 miles from Nottingham city centre, next to the town of Southwell. Find out more about getting here.
Student profiles
What you'll study
You'll take part in practical hands-on lessons and learn about a wide range of animals, using our fantastic facilities.
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Year One
- Maintain Animal Health and Welfare
You’ll be able to maintain the health of a range of animals, including identifying any signs of ill health and monitoring the animals’ recovery.
- British Wildlife Species, Habitat and Rehabilitation
Learn to recognise British wildlife and their habitats. Gain an understanding of the threats to wildlife and how to save endangered species, including the processes for monitoring and rehabilitation.
- Animal Feeding and Accommodation
Develop practical skills to feed animals to keep them healthy and learn to design, construct and clean their accommodation.
- Animal Behaviour and Handling
Develop the knowledge and skills to handle and restrain animals safely. Learn to respond to their behaviour to reduce risk and stress.
- The Principles of Animal Biology
Develop an understanding of how the animal body works. You’ll learn about the structure and function of systems associated with support, including muscles, tendons and ligaments.
- Introduction to Caring for Farm Livestock
Learn how to handle, restrain and move farm livestock safely and to maintain accommodation, including preparing food and water.
- Working in the Animal Care industry
The course includes a work placement. This allows you to develop your skills and knowledge in the animal industry, and looks good to future employers. You can work at places like veterinary centres, boarding kennels, catteries, or zoos.
- Health and Safety for the land-based industries
Gain an understanding of the importance of health and safety within land-based settings.
- Maintain Animal Health and Welfare
You’ll get to go on some fantastic trips and learn from industry experts
How you’re taught
You’ll learn in our fantastic facilities and be taught by tutors who have real-life experience of working within the animal industry. You can expect the course to be split so that approximately 30% is practical work and 70% is theory work.
You will be taught through lectures, group discussions and practical demonstrations. You’ll also get to go on trips to various locations.
The course includes a work placement. This allows you to develop your skills and knowledge in the animal industry, and looks good to future employers. You can work at places like veterinary centres, boarding kennels, catteries, or zoos.
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed through written assignments, external practical assessments exams.
Staff profiles
Careers and employability
After completing this course there are a number of options and routes that you can take.
If you get a Distinction, you'll be able to do the Level 3 courses in Animal Management, Land and Wildlife Management or Agriculture.
After completion of your Level 3 course you could then choose to continue your studies and go onto a degree or choose a career in an animal-related industry.
Future jobs within the animal industry include:
- animal carer - you can earn up to £15,000
- cattery / kennel technician - you can earn up to £17,000
- wildlife reserve worker - you can earn up to £17,000
- dog groomer - you can earn up to £20,000
- farm worker - you can earn up to £25,000
Placement opportunities
Work placements are a great way to broaden your skills. You will have the opportunity the take part in work experience in a range of animal-related organisations. We have a wide network of links within the industry which will enable you to get the best placements.
Facilities
Study an animal course at Brackenhurst and you’ll have access to some fantastic facilities.
Our specially designed Animal Unit is home to over 150 animals from around 40 different species. These include small animals such as rabbits, cats, dogs, reptiles and birds, as well as larger animals like goats and donkeys. All our animal courses include hands-on, practical lessons at the unit. You’ll also help our technicians to care for the animals on a day-to-day basis.
As well as your subject-specific facilities, you’ll also find:
- a library, including fully equipped computer rooms
- modern classrooms and teaching areas
- laboratories
- our careers and employability service
- a dining room and Costa Coffee
- our student shop
- a common room.
Entry requirements
For 2019 entry you'll need:
- GCSE Maths or English Language at grade 4 / C or above.
- An additional two GCSEs at grade 3 / D or above.
- We will accept students with grade 3 / D in Maths or English Language where the other subject is at least grade 4 / C. You will need to complete Maths or English Language GCSE retakes as a mandatory part of your study programme.
Equivalent qualifications will be considered.
You will also be required to attend an interview.
Applications are welcome from mature and international students.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299.
We welcome applications from international students. Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 to discuss how your qualifications match our course requirements.
How to apply
Fill in an application form
- Download an application form. Remember to show your passion for your chosen subject in your personal statement.
- Provide contact details for two referees - usually one teacher from your current School or College and one character reference which could refer to any volunteering, work experience or hobbies you may have (i.e. Sea Scouts, sports clubs etc.). Alternatively, this can be a long standing family friend or neighbour.
Come for an interview
- If you meet the criteria for the course, we’ll invite you in for an interview. We’ll send you details of what will happen on the day in advance through the post. Don’t panic! Our tutors are really friendly and will help you to do your best.
Get your offer
- We’ll write to you and let you know how you got on at the interview. Hopefully we’ll be able to offer you a place on the course. This offer might be conditional on your upcoming exam results – for example GCSEs.
Accept your offer
- You need to tell us that you want to accept your offer of a place by returning your confirmation slip to us or calling us on 0115 848 5299.
Get your exam results
- If you’re taking GCSEs, you’ll get your results on Thursday 22 August 2019. Other exam results will also come out over the summer. Once you’ve got your results you need to let us know what they are. Then we can confirm your place.
Start at Brackenhurst
- We’ll send out all the information you need to start with us in the post at the end of August. We hold an enrolment day in the first week of September. This allows you to get your student ID and start meeting your new friends and tutors.
Any questions?
Just drop us a line – we’re here to help every step of the way. You can email us at fe.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk or give us a call on 0115 848 5299
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 for more information on how to apply.
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
In 2017 our college courses had a 99% pass rate
Fees and funding
If you are aged 16-18 and applying for a Level 2 or 3 course
There are no course fees if you’re aged under 19 on 31 August of the year you start your course.
If you are aged 19+ and applying for a Level 2, Level 3 or Access to Higher Education course
If you’re studying your first full Level 3 or Access to Higher Education qualification you may be eligible for free tuition. You will still need to pay the registration fee applicable for your course.
If you are applying for the Level 2 qualification or have already completed a full Level 3 qualification, tuition and registration fees will apply.
To cover the cost of tuition when applying for a Level 3 and Access to Higher Education qualification, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from the UK Government. It is easy to apply, your household income is not taken into account and there is no credit check. You will not have to pay anything back until your income is over £25,000.
Please visit fees and funding information for more information.
Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 for more information on fees and funding.
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