Practical Vs Theory
Course overview
Develop your practical skills and experience you need to pursue a career working with animals. You will learn how to maintain animal accomodation, practical feeding, caring for exotic animals and their biology. You will undertake compulsory work experience to expand your knowledge, working in real life animal care settings.
What Does The Programme Include
You will learn through a combination of theory and practical-based learning including written assesments, group discussions, presentations and practical handling.
Entry Requirements
4 GCSEs at grades 3/D or above, including English, maths and preferably a science.
Need to re-sit? No problem. If you don’t achieve a Grade 4/C in GCSE maths or English, you’ll resit the exams with us and we’ll help you prepare.
Worried about your grades?
Whatever your results, we want to assure you that extenuating circumstances will be considered should you not have the grades indicated above.
We will review each application on a case-by-case basis to ensure you get a place on the course most suitable for you.
One of the ways we do this is through a very effective ‘6 weeks to success programme’ that operates from the first day you start your course. This includes support such as (but not limited to):
- Allowing you to change courses if you change your mind in the first 6 weeks
- Moving you between course levels if you are finding your current level too easy / too hard
- Incorporating English and maths GCSE resits in to your timetable if you don’t meet the grades you need
- One-to-one reviews with your academic tutor to ensure you are progressing and achieving well
Our course enquiries and admissions team are available remotely throughout this unprecedented period. They can be contacted at enquiries@stamford.ac.uk should you have any further questions.
How The Course Will Be Assessed
The majority of the assessment is completed through ongoing assessment and practical handling of a variety of species.
Additional Information
The course contains very practical elements and sensible, weatherproof clothing is required, although tunics are provided. Steel toe capped boots are essential, and will need to be purchased before you start the course. Both of these are arranged via the College and more information will be provided at interview and enrolment. All jewellery must be taken off during practicals and hair tied back.
Potential Future Career
On successful completion of this course, you can progress to the Animal Care Extended Diploma Level 3 or employment as an:
- Animal Technician
- Animal Care Shelter Worker
- Pet Shop Assistant
- Kennel or Cattery Worker
Course Content
You will study the following units:
- Work-related experience in the land-based industries
- Maintaining animal accommodation
- Practical animal feeding
- Animal health and welfare
- Introduction to the principles and practices of animal behaviour and handling
- Basic principles of animal biology
- Contribute to the care of exotic animals




The real hands-on experiences I have gained working with a range of species at College has allowed me to continue my studies and become a Veterinary Nurse.