- Entry Requirements
To join this programme you will need 4 GCSEs at grade 3, including English and Maths.
- Example Modules
- * Maintain Animal Health and Welfare * Undertake Practical Animal Feeding * Maintain Animal Accommodation * Understand British Wildlife Species, Habitats and Rehabilitation * Principles of Science * Chemistry and Our Earth * Energy and Our Universe * Biology and Our Environment
- What will I learn?
This course is a blend of animal care and welfare knowledge, practical animal husbandry skills, along with core science knowledge needed to progress into a T Level. The course also prepares you to undertake various roles across the animal welfare industry. You will learn how to communicate effectively in a professional working environment. To develop your employability skills you will undertake a practical husbandry and gain skills in a busy wildlife veterinary hospital. This provides you with hands-on experience in a real-world setting, allowing you to apply the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to practical situations.
- Additional Information This course runs three or four days a week, for 10 months - Two days a week at Tiggywinkles for Animal Care – one week days, plus one day at the weekend. Plus, one day a week at Buckinghamshire College Group’s Aylesbury Campus for the Science qualification. 16-18 year olds requiring English and/or Maths classes will additionally attend another one day a week for these lessons at Tiggywinkles, with the GCSE exams running at the Buckinghamshire College Group’s Aylesbury Campus. On enrolment, ALL students need to purchase uniform tops. This is not covered by your course fees.
- Progression
On achieving your Animal Care & Science course, some students may wish to progress to the Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care, or if they have the Maths, English and Science grades, then perhaps either the Level 3 Practical Animal Care Skills or the Level 3 Animal Management qualification.
Achieving this qualification may help you work in roles such as: Kennel and cattery worker/supervisor; Pet store assistant/supervisor; Animal Hospital care assistant; Wildlife assistant; Dog grooming assistant; Animal feed sales rep; Pet Sitter or Dog Walker; Trainee zoo keeper or aquarist; Trainee animal husbandry technician.
- How am I assessed?
Assessment is continuous and will be based on written assignments and practical assessments. Assignments are varied and include written reports, analysing data, creating leaflets and posters and delivering presentations. The Science qualification has written exams.
Level 2 Study Programme: Animal Care & Science
The Animal Care & Science course is a specially designed 16-to-18 study programme aimed at developing the skills, experience, knowledge and behaviours necessary for success in an Animal Care or Animal Management course. This programme is ideal for students who demonstrate the potential to progress after completing a tailored preparation programme.
This course will run across two sites – Tiggywinkles in Haddenham for the Animal Care and Employability qualifications, plus Buckinghamshire College Group’s Aylesbury Campus for the Science qualification. Any Maths & English lessons needed will be at Tiggywinkles, with the exams running at Buckinghamshire College Group’s Aylesbury Campus.
You will gain a Level 2 Extended Certificate in Animal Care, a Level 2 Award in Employability Skills and a Level 2 Award in the Principles of Applied Science.
Course Information
- Course Type Full-Time Course
- Study Mode Varied Learning
- Course Code CSB2ANCT
- Start September
- Length 41 weeks
- Level Level 2
- Campus
Aylesbury
There's still time to join Buckinghamshire College Group this September 2026. Drop in on weekdays between 10.00am and 3.00pm to enrol.
