Animal Management

Level 2 BTEC First Award or Technical Diploma

Apply for 2024

If so, we’ve got a fantastic course for you at Plumpton where you’ll learn about household pets, exotics and large animals.

You can look forward to loads of practical hands-on experience with our different animals here on-site, plus learning all the theory you’ll need to be successful in your future role.

This course is designed to give you some experience of animal care, working with household pets, exotics, and large animals. You will spend one day a week on work experience, with three or four days at College divided between practical and theory sessions.

The course is ideal for those wishing to develop a career in kennels, catteries, pet shops and rescue centres, or to progress onto the Subsidiary Diploma or Extended Diploma in Animal Management for those with Distinction grades.

Work Experience

Study programmes include a minimum of compulsory work experience hours achieved through one day a week or block placements. The amount of hours required is dependent on the study programme. 

Careers Hub

We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.

Industry Work Placement

All students aged 16-18 on our Level 2 & Level 3 programmes will now have to take part in an exciting and compulsory 50-day industry placement programme alongside completion of their vocational course. The programme will give you the chance to gain valuable skills in a real working environment whilst being paired with your ideal employer.

Our mission is to pair students with their ideal employer and to support them continuously during the placement.

There is flexibility on how students complete the placement; it can be during non-college weekdays, weekends, in blocks or over the holiday period. You will receive all of the necessary information during your interview, and if you have any queries in the meantime please contact workexperience@plumpton.ac.uk

Qualifications Gained

  • BTEC Level 2 Diploma/First Certificate in Animal Care
  • College award, Functional Skills or GCSEs in English & maths

Course details

Dates & Location

September 2024

Duration

1 year

3 days per week

Costs

If you will be over 19 on the start date of your course you maybe required to pay tuition fees. Please contact enquiries@plumpton.ac.uk to confirm.

Entry Requirements

First Award in Animal Care

  • You’ll need to have achieved 2 GCSEs between Grade 9-3 (previous grade structure A*-D)
  • Successful completion of a Level 1 course in another area, having studied English and Maths at GCSE
  • Mature students without the above requirements will be considered

EITHER:

Technical Diploma in Animal Care

  • You’ll need to have achieved 3 GCSEs between Grade 9-3 (previous grade structure A*-D) including either English or Maths at a Grade 9-4 Successful completion of a Level 2 course in another area
  • Achieving a merit on the Level 2 First Award
  • Mature students without the above requirements will be considered

I've really enjoyed being on the course and being surrounded by such supportive lecturers helped me to achieve the best marks I could; I'm glad I took the course at Plumpton College, I've learnt so much in the time I've spent here.

Ruby-Anne Reed

Level 2 Animal Management Student

Future Opportunities

Following satisfactory completion of the programme, at Distinction Level students may progress to the following programme:

  • BTEC Level 3 in Animal Management 

Alternatively, students might gain employment in areas such as:

  • Kennels
  • Catteries
  • Rescue Centres
  • Pet Shops
  • Zoos

Modules

Indicative Programme Content

You can look forward to a varied programme of modules that also includes a work placement. You’ll also continue your English and Maths up to GCSE level. Modules include:

  • Maintaining animal accommodation
  • Practical animal feeding
  • Conservation and improvement of British habitats
  • Animal health and welfare
  • Basic principles of animal biology
  • Work experience in the animal care industry
  • Nursing of animals
  • Employment Skills
  • English & Maths GCSEs and Functional Skills are also delivered and assessed throughout the programme

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Ready to take the next step?