Animal Care Level 2

Due to the extreme weather conditions and in the interests of the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff, the College will close early on:

• Wednesday 24th June: College will close at 2.00 pm

• Thursday 25th June: College will close at 1.00 pm

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Please note our Bicester Open Evening will be going ahead as planned on Wednesday 24th June (our Bicester Campus has air conditioning!). Register below.

Please continue to check the College website, socials and emails for any further updates.

Bicester open day

Course details

Course time:

09:00 - 17:00

Days of week:

Monday to Friday

Course date:

7th Sept 2026 - 1st Jul 2027

Course location:

Common Leys Farm

Contact details

Email:

enquiries@abingdon-witney.ac.uk

Phone:

01993 208 148

This course combines both theory and practical animal-related work to cover the key areas of routine management and welfare for animals. You will get to work with a range of animals including reptiles, alpacas, meerkats and the farm animals.

You will learn how to carry out daily husbandry tasks, carry out full health checks and how to improve animal welfare. Whilst developing your practical skills, the course will also help you to develop other employability skills like safe working and working in a team. You will also have the opportunity to get hands-on with the lambing of the college sheep. Your study is supported by a number of trips and visits to external animal collections.

Students will be undertaking a study programme that will include their main vocational qualification, skills in English and Maths, Tutorials, Enrichment and Work Experience. These are essential skills for employment.

Course units

The course covers 5 core modules:

• Animal health and welfare

• Animal feeding and accommodation

• Animal behaviour and handling

• Working in the animal care industry

• Health and safety for the land-based industries

Plus optional units to be chosen by the tutor from the following:

• Basic principles of animal biology

• Introduction to animal breeds and grooming

• Caring for zoo animals

What next?

On successful completion, you may be suitable for progressing to a Level 3 course such as the Advanced Technical Certificate in Animal Management.

Entry criteria

4 GCSES at Grade 3 including English, Maths and Science (Combined or Biology) OR a Level 1 pass in a related subject plus English or maths, and both subjects must be at least grade 2 / Level 1 Functional Skills

Fee information

In addition to the main course fees given below there is are additional costs of in the region of £75 for protective clothing and trip fee costs of £80. Students may be eligible for a student bursary to help with these costs. (Costs are given for guidance only.)

As part of your course we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate.

There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.

The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 216 400 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.

16-18 Fee:

£0.00

Co-Funded Fee (19+)

£3,456.00

Reduced Fee (19+)

£0.00

Qualifications received

City and Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care OR

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