Key Details

Course Area:

Animal Science

Student Type:

16 - 18 courses

Course Type:

Full-time FE course

Start Date:

Monday 1st September 2025

Duration:

1 year

Location:

Basford

Course code:

C050256 / Q050257

Apply now

Course Introduction

This college qualification is for you if would like to gain core knowledge and understanding of a range of occupational roles from across the land base and animal care.

The course has been specifically designed to provide you with valuable employability skills in communication, problem solving and study skills. You will have the opportunity to improve your maths and English, along with gaining an understanding of working within the animal care industry.

This course allows you to achieve a maths and English qualification alongside a college qualification which will allow you to progress into a higher level of study the following academic year.

Modules include

Working safely within the industry
The animal care industry and career pathways
Sustainability within animal care
Introduction into care of animals
Introduction into correct handling, assisting in feeding and watering
Study skills
Team work
Maths and English

You can expect:

Support from well-being and behaviour mentors, learning support assistants (LSAs) and supportive tutors.
Project based learning around your interests and current real-world experiences or problems within the animal industry
An opportunity for trips/visits and guest speakers.
Animal involvement
1-1 career advice, mock interviews to prepare for your next steps

You can expect both practical and theory taught lessons on the course.

Course Information

Qualification

College Certificate

Level

Entry Level

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, but you must have a keen interest in animals.

Teaching & Assessment

Assessment methods within this course include in class knowledge assessments and practical assessments. They have been designed to assess the knowledge, understanding and skills of all units.

Progression

Students that have either GCSE English or GCSE Maths at grade 2 or above can progress onto the Level 1 Land Based Studies (Animal Care) course at Nottingham College. If students pass either GCSE English and Maths with a grade 4 can jump straight to Level 2 Technical Certificate in Animal Care.

Additional Information

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

Careers

Farm Workers

Earnings

£29,694

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Skills

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Production, Factory and Assembly Supervisors

Earnings

£31,462

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Transportation Maintenance

People in these occupations maintain and service transport vehicles and specialised vehicle systems.

Natural Sciences

People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Production

People in these occupations work with wood, metal, and other materials, make food and beverages, and assemble products in a manufacturing setting.

Processing and Machine Operation

People in these occupations set up, process, refine, and transform materials and operate industrial machinery.

Building and Construction

People in these occupations manage building projects, inspect structures, and carry out various construction trades: masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, etc.

Art, Performance and Design

People in these occupations create art and fine craftwork, produce and perform plays and motion pictures, and design graphics and other products.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Mobile Machine Drivers and Operatives

Earnings

£26,429

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Transportation Operations

People in these occupations manage and operate passenger and freight transport equipment, control traffic, and handle cargo loading and unloading.

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Building and Construction

People in these occupations manage building projects, inspect structures, and carry out various construction trades: masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, etc.

Weighers, Graders and Sorters

Earnings

£23,209

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Production

People in these occupations work with wood, metal, and other materials, make food and beverages, and assemble products in a manufacturing setting.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Routine Inspectors and Testers

Earnings

£29,203

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Natural Sciences

People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Production

People in these occupations work with wood, metal, and other materials, make food and beverages, and assemble products in a manufacturing setting.

Building and Construction

People in these occupations manage building projects, inspect structures, and carry out various construction trades: masonry, carpentry, plumbing, electrical installation, etc.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Fishing and Other Elementary Agriculture Occupations

Earnings

£27,175

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Forestry Workers

Earnings

£28,398

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Public Services

People in these occupations administrate government programmes and services, work in the justice system, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Pest Control Officers

Earnings

£19,982

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Skills

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Veterinary Nurses

Earnings

£22,161

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Natural Sciences

People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Veterinarians

Earnings

£44,465

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Natural Sciences

People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Animal Care Services Occupations

Earnings

£19,304

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Print Finishing and Binding Workers

Earnings

£21,322

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Production

People in these occupations work with wood, metal, and other materials, make food and beverages, and assemble products in a manufacturing setting.

Processing and Machine Operation

People in these occupations set up, process, refine, and transform materials and operate industrial machinery.

Media, Publishing and Information Services

People in these occupations produce, publish, and release media and provide library, archive, curation, and information services.

Skills

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Butchers

Earnings

£19,466

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Production

People in these occupations work with wood, metal, and other materials, make food and beverages, and assemble products in a manufacturing setting.

Accommodation, Travel and Food Services

People in these occupations provide lodging, travel, and tourism support services and prepare and serve food and beverages.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Farmers

Earnings

£21,933

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Skills

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Groundsmen and Greenkeepers

Earnings

£21,933

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Agricultural and Fishing Trades

Earnings

£23,373

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Natural Sciences

People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Environmental Conservation

People in these occupations coordinate environmental services, run quality tests, ensure regulatory compliance, and carry out conservation measures.

Managers and Proprietors in Agriculture and Horticulture

Earnings

£32,597

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Skills

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Managers and Proprietors in Forestry, Fishing and Related Services

Earnings

£27,406

Average Earnings

Employment

Pathways

Agriculture and Animal Care

People in these occupations plant and harvest crops, run farms, carry out fishing and aquaculture operations, and care for livestock and other animals.

Horticulture and Forestry

People in these occupations plan and maintain gardens, landscaping, and nurseries and carry out forest and felling operations.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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