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Where will this course lead?

Our BTEC Level 2 Diploma is ideal for those who would like to work with animals in industries such as the RSPCA, pet shops, kennels and catteries, ranger and wildlife conservation work. 

This qualification gives you the chance to study the theory side of caring for animals in our purpose built classrooms. You will also experience handling and caring for a variety of domestic and exotic animals in our state-of-the-art Animal Welfare Centre. 

What will I study?

Throughout your studies, you will cover all 6 Units from the following list: 

Practical Animal Health 

Introduction to Animal Biology and Health 

Animal Care Work Placement 

Animal Welfare 

Animal Behaviour Assessment and Safe Handling 

Feeding, Accommodating and Moving Animals 

How will this course be delivered?

You will be required to spend three days per week in College; the fourth day on an animal related work placement and the fifth day will be a study day.  

You will be expected to complete approximately 12 hours of independent study a week in order to complete this course. 

What qualifications will I get?

BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Animal Care.

How will I be assessed?

The course is assignment and exam based and students are given the opportunity to achieve Pass, Merit or Distinction grades within their work. You will be assessed practically on the Animal Care Centre and also at your work placement. You will be assessed on skills such as animal handling, husbandry and dealing with colleagues and members of the public. 

What are the entry requirements?

Minimum qualifications for this course are:  

Two GCSE passes at grade D/3 or above in Science, English or Maths or a Level 1 Diploma in Animal Care with a glowing reference.  

A suitable reference from your previous/current tutor or employer.  

A successful interview. 

What else do I need to know?

In order to complete the course, you need a one-day-a-week animal care work placement starting in September. You will need to provide a pair of steel toe cap boots, purchase a Solihull College boiler suit and a work placement polo shirt. The prices of these will be available upon application. Good levels of English and Maths are important 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, you will also be working towards a qualification in English or Maths at a level that will enable you to progress towards a GCSE grade C/4+. 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.

What can I do after this course?

Providing you successfully complete the course with a Merit or Distinction grade and a good reference; students can progress onto BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate, BTEC Foundation Diploma, 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

ANAAQ033BCF0

Study Mode

Full Time

Zoo Keeper

Zoo Keepers work directly with animals on a daily basis, looking after their feeding, cleaning and health needs.

What’s Involved?

Zoo Keepers feed, wash, groom, trim and exercise animals. They clean animals' quarters and renew bedding as necessary. They also 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, treats minor ailments or call for vets 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.

Zoologist

Zoologists, biological scientists and biochemists examine and investigate the morphology, structure, chemistry and physical characteristics of living organisms, including their inter-relationships, environments and diseases.

What’s Involved?

Zoologists study the physical and chemical form, structure, composition and function of living organisms. They identify and study the chemical substances, including microbial infections, involved in physiological processes and the progress of disease. They also perform tests to study physiological and pathological characteristics within cells and other organisms. They research the effects of internal and external environmental factors on the life processes and other functions of living organisms. They observe the structure of communities of organisms in the laboratory and in their natural environment. They also advise farmers, medical staff and others, on the nature of field crops, livestock and produce and on the treatment and prevention of disease. They monitor the distribution, presence and behaviour of plants, animals and aquatic life, and performs other scientific tasks related to conservation not performed by jobholders in MINOR GROUP 214: Conservation and Environment Professionals.

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.

Animal Health Officer

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 searches for and captures stray or nuisance dogs in public areas and perform a variety of animal care tasks not elsewhere classified in MINOR GROUP 613: Animal Care and Control Services.

What’s Involved?

Animal Health Officers feed, wash, groom, trim and exercise animals. They clean animals' quarters and renew bedding as necessary. They also 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 call for vets if further treatment is required. They also 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.

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.