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Where will this course lead?

This course is an introduction to Veterinary Nursing and can prepare you for a career as a Veterinary Nurse within a veterinary practice, it can also lead to employment as an Animal Nursing Assistant within a vets.

This is a very specific course aimed at those who wish to work as a Veterinary Nurse or Animal Nursing Assistant. If you are unsure of your career path working with animals the Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care may be more beneficial in guiding you towards a career working with animals.

What will I study?

Throughout your studies, you will cover units from the following list:

Deliver basic treatments to animals

Principles of basic animal nursing assistance

Companion animal parasitology and zoonosis

Companion animal nutrition

Provide feed and water to animals

Plan the handling and restraint of animals

Principles of infection control for animal nursing assistants

Maintain animal accommodation

Companion animal anatomy and physiology

Control and restrain animals

How will this course be delivered?

You will attend college three days per week and one day on an animal related work placement.

During your free time you will be expected to complete assignments, this can be done within college or at home. English and Maths may be timetabled within the 3 college days depending on your current qualification.

What qualifications will I get?

Certificate for Animal Nursing Assistants (RQF)

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is continual over the year mainly by the completion of assignments, practical work and one extended examination, students are also assessed practically on the Animal Care Centre.

How do I get a place on the course?

You will need to complete your application and attend a College interview.

What are the entry requirements?

Four GCSE passes at Grade D/3 to include Science (Physics, Biology and Chemistry) English Language and Maths OR,

Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care in which a Merit grade or higher is expected.

In addition to either of the above you also require:

- A suitable character or tutor reference

- A copy of your latest school/college/employer report (if applicable)

- A successful College interview

What else do I need to know?

You will need to purchase a pair of steel toe cap boots, College boiler suit and a work placement polo shirt. There may also be various trips throughout the year. The price of these will become available upon application.

A good standard of English and Maths are essential for your success in your course, your chosen vocation and life. Throughout your course you will continue to develop your English and Maths skills in your vocational classes.

If you haven't achieved an A*/9 - C/4 grade in English or Maths at GCSE, or a Level 2 Functional Skill, you will also be working towards a qualification in English or Maths at a level that will enable you to progress towards these grades.

If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. You will be offered support in your interview. If you need help completing your application we can help with this too.

Solihull College is an inclusive and diverse learning environment offering offers full time and part time courses to people from anywhere in the UK

What can I do after this course?

This course can lead to an animal nursing career within the industry or allow progression onto the RCVS Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Other course options include: BTEC Level 2 Diploma, BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate, Level 3 Practical Skills in Animal Care, BTEC Foundation Diploma, Level 3 Veterinary Nursing, Animal Nursing Assistants or Work-based Diploma Level 2/3 Apprenticeship in Animal Care. For the Apprenticeship you will need to be in employment for approximately 30 hours per week, this can be discussed at your interview.

Location

Blossomfield Campus

Start Date

Sept-2025

Day

Various

Time

TBC

Course Fee

N/A For 16 to 18 Year Olds

Course Code

ANAZA033BCF0

Study Mode

Full Time

Animal Care Services

Workers in this unit group care for animals held in kennels, stables, zoos and similar establishments, provide specialised training, grooming, clipping and trimming services for animals and perform a variety of animal care tasks.

What’s Involved?

Depending on the job role, tasks could include feeding, washing, grooming, trimming and exercising animals and cleaning animals' quarters and renewing bedding as necessary. You could house, feed, exercise, train, groom horses, dogs and other animals in preparation for entry to shows, races and other events. They check animals for illness, treat minor ailments or calls for vet if further treatment is required. They meet prospective owners and advise on animal selection and animal care. They patrol public areas to search for and capture stray or nuisance dogs, and transport captured animals to kennels.

Conservationist

Conservation professionals are responsible for ensuring that landscapes, habitats and species are protected and enhanced via appropriate management and conservation. They promote public understanding and awareness of the natural environment and help to develop and implement appropriate policies to achieve these objectives.

What’s Involved?

A Conservationist promotes and implements local and national biodiversity action plans, particularly with regard to threatened species and habitats; carries out environmental impact assessments and field surveys; implements, evaluates and monitors schemes for the management and protection of natural habitats; provides advice and information to government at national and local levels, clients, landowners, planners and developers to facilitate the protection of the natural environment; liaises with other groups in the selection and maintenance of the Protected Site System including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Ramsar sites, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs); maintains and develops knowledge in relevant policy areas within a national and European legislative context; promotes conservation issues via educational talks, displays, workshops and literature and liaison with the media; prepares applications for funding to other organisations, and assessing applications for funding from other organisations; carries out research into aspects of the natural world.

Veterinary Nurse

Veterinary nurses provide assistance to veterinarians in the treatment and care of sick or injured animals.

What’s Involved?

Veterinary Nurses assist the veterinary surgeon during surgical and medical treatments of animals. They prepare operating theatres, sterilise equipment and assist in theatre as required. They dispense and administer medication and apply dressings to animals under direction from the veterinarian. They also handle animals during treatment. They collect and analyse blood, urine and other samples. They care for animals in hospital accommodation and keep accurate records. They also maintain the biosecurity of the veterinary premises. They advise clients on preventative medicine to maintain appropriate animal health and welfare.

Environmental Protection Officer

Jobholders in this unit group investigate, address, and advise on a variety of terrestrial and marine environment and resource management issues, including the development and implementation of environmental policies and remedies that address the impacts of human activities and industrial processes on the environment.

What’s Involved?

An Environmental Protection Officer identifies contamination of land, air or water and assesses any adverse impact on the environment; advises on and provides solutions for mitigating the effects of such contamination; implements remediation works; carries out environment-related desk-based research and fieldwork to collect, analyse and interpret data to determine their validity, quality and significance; carries out environmental audits and environmental impact assessments; communicates scientific and technical information to relevant audiences in an appropriate form, via reports, workshops, educational events, public hearings; assists organisations to conduct their activities in an environmentally appropriate manner; implements, reviews and advises on regulatory and legislative standards, guidelines and policies; provides professional guidance to clients, government agencies, regulators and other relevant bodies, having regard for sustainable approaches and solutions.

Animal Therapist

Job holders in this line of work plan and apply physical and therapeutic treatments and activities to assist recovery from physical illness and to minimise the effects of disabilities or aid behavioural referrals. This could involve hydrotherapy or physiotherapy or behavioural rehabilitation, particularly with dogs.

What’s Involved?

A Therapist prescribes physical therapy to patients and/or gives advice to owners, health care professionals and the public on various health issues they may have as a result of injury or illness. They may manipulates and massages patient to discover the cause of pain, relieve discomfort, restore function and mobility and to correct irregularities in body structure; adopt a holistic approach in assessing the overall health of the patient, and treats by inserting needles under the skin at particular locations according to the disorder being treated; administers aromatic herbs and oils and massage to relieve pain and restore health; assesses and diagnose and treat behavioural problems in animal too.

Animal Product Designer

Product, clothing and related designers plan, direct and undertake the creation of designs for new industrial and commercial products, clothing and related fashion accessories. This includes animal products such as clothing, toys and more.

What’s Involved?

A Product Designer liaises with client to determine the purpose, cost, technical specification and potential uses/users of product; undertakes research to determine market trends, production requirements, availability of resources and formulates design concepts; prepares sketches, designs, patterns or prototypes for textiles, clothing, footwear, jewellery, fashion accessories, set props, wigs, ceramics, plastics, motor vehicles, domestic appliances and engineering products; prepares sketches, designs, mock-ups and storyboards for consideration by theatre/film director or client; submits design to management, sales department or client for approval, communicates design rationale and makes any necessary alterations; specifies materials, production method and finish for aesthetic or functional effect, and oversees production of sample and/or finished product; observes and manages intellectual property issues.

Predicted Employment

How much can I earn?

£17,680
NATIONAL AVERAGE

Employment by Region

The career paths provided are to give you an idea of the careers that you could progress onto in the future. However, for some, you may need to complete higher level qualifications and gain experience before your dream job becomes a reality. The information provided is to support further research and to generate some initial career ideas when choosing a course. Please check entry requirements to degree courses, apprenticeships, and jobs as this may vary from year to year and across providers. For further advice and guidance, please contact: careers@solihull.ac.uk.