Level 1

01 Sep 2025
1 Year
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Animal Care Land Based Studies, Certificate

The Animal Care Land Based Studies Certificate is an ideal starting point for animal lovers seeking a career in the animal care industry. The comprehensive course combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical work to equip you with the necessary skills and experience for working with animals. Throughout the course, one day per week will be spent at renowned visitor attraction Puxton Park and the remainder of your time will be spent in specialist spaces at Knightstone Campus.

Through our unique partnership with Puxton Park, awarded the National Farm Attraction of the Year, you will gain practical skills by participating in the care of a diverse range of animals. Your classroom lectures will come to life as you carry out practical sessions at the park, enabling you to develop industry specific skills. This hands-on experience will involve working alongside experienced staff and engaging with farm visitors, so you will also develop essential employability skills like communication, customer service and decision making.

Our experienced tutors are industry specialists, and they are dedicated to teaching you the necessary theory to complement your practical knowledge. Our qualifications have been developed in collaboration with local and national employers and are successful in getting our students into animal management related jobs and onto relevant degrees.

By studying with us, you will become part of our Animal Management Career Excellence Hub. This provides unrivalled access to potential employers. Through guest lectures, trips, work experience, and recruitment events, you will gain valuable industry insights and networking opportunities.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE

The Animal Care Land-Based Studies Certificate is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to work in various roles within the animal care industry.

  • Animal anatomy and physiology

  • Animal nutrition

  • Animal health and welfare

  • Animal behaviour

  • Animal handling and restraint

  • Animal housing and environment

  • Animal breeding and genetics

  • Animal legislation and regulations

Practical experience at Puxton Park could include working with animals including tortoises, parrots, reindeer, owls, marmoset monkeys, meerkats, donkeys, goats, ponies, rare pigs, alpacas, cattle, emus, and stick insects.

ASSESSMENT METHOD

You will be assessed through practical observations, group work, coursework, presentations, and exams.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Completing this program can be your first step into the animal care industry. You could seek entry position in animal shelters, zoos, farms, or veterinary clinics, or progress onto Animal Care Diploma Level 2, or an Animal Care Apprenticeship.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 3-1 with at least two at grade 3, or the successful completion of a pre-vocational programme.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

  • Ready to apply – please use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page.

  • I’d like to visit and see the facilities and chat to staff – see when our next open event is here: EVENTS | Weston College

  • I have a quick question – use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.

Please note that there is currently a review by the Department for Education on a number of level 3 qualifications as part of a national education review. While we hope to offer this course in the upcoming academic year, its availability may be subject to change following the conclusion of the review, which we hope will be concluded by December 2024. We understand this uncertainty may be disruptive and appreciate your patience and understanding during this period of Government review, please be reassured that we are planning for all outcomes and are in no doubt that whatever the results of the review, we will be able to provide you with the right qualification and pathway to support you with your career goals and next steps. More information is available by clicking (here)[https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/important-update-government-qualification-reforms-and-course-offerings-2025]


What our Students say
Luke with award

Luke

Level 1 & 2 Animal Care

Throughout the course Luke has been a conscientious, hardworking member of the group who never hesitated to offer help to both his peers and teachers. Luke won Animal Management Student of the Year at Celebration of Success 2023.

Read my story

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Marketing Permissions

Once we have your booking we would love to keep you informed of other, similar events you may be interested in. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your personal information will be processed in line with our privacy notice available on our policy page. Is this ok (please tick)?

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By submitting this form you are consenting to Weston College recording and processing the personal information on this form, for any purposes of the college associated with the provision of advice and guidance to potential students on the range of courses available to them, college facilities and any other associated information. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, the information will only be used for the above mentioned purposes.

You will need to complete a full enrolment form prior to starting your course.

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