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Applications for September 2027 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.
Level 2 Extended Certificate Animal Care
Level 2 is for anyone looking to start a career in animal care. You'll work with a wide range of animals, including exotic species and grooming on real customer animals, and develop an overall understanding of the job roles and careers available. The course gives you the skills and knowledge to progress to further learning, or to enter the world of work in animal care.
Got a question? Ask us
How you’ll learn
Work With a Wide Range of Animals
You’ll work hands-on with a wide range of species at our on-campus Hub Animal Centre, which is home to over 100 species including snakes, tarantulas and guinea pigs across temperature-controlled vivariums. The Animal Centre uses the same diagnostic equipment found in top veterinary practices. Tutors with industry experience teach the work directly, grounded in how things are actually done.
The course covers six areas across the year: animal health and welfare, feeding and accommodation, behaviour and handling, working in the animal care industry, the care of exotic animals, and grooming. You’ll also get out on regular field visits to Valley Wildlife, working with larger animals including alpacas, donkeys, pigs, goats and sheep. By the end of the year you’ll have a real overall understanding of the job roles and careers in animal care, and the skills to progress.
Core Skills
- Maintain animal health and welfare
- Animal feeding and accommodation
- Animal behaviour and handling
- Working in the animal care industry
Specialist Practice
- Care of exotic animals
- Grooming
Entry and progression
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 2
- Further study
Entry requirements
- GCSE Maths and English at Grade 3
- A genuine interest in animals and working with them
- Successful interview with our team
If you haven't yet achieved Grade 4 in Maths or English, you'll keep working towards them alongside your course, built into your timetable.
Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.
- Level 3 Level 3 Extended Diploma Animal Management At this college
- Level 3 Level 3 Foundation Diploma Animal Management At this college
- Level 3 Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management At North Lindsey College
See all 4 courses
At this college
Careers it can lead to
- Animal Care Services Occupations £23,700 a year
- With further study or experience Veterinary Nurses £26,600 a year
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Life on the course
See what it’s really like
Our facilities
On-Campus and In-Field Visits
Most of your learning happens hands-on, at our on-campus Animal Centre and on regular off-site visits.
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The Hub Animal Centre (on-campus)
Over 100 species across temperature-controlled vivariums. Snakes, tarantulas, guinea pigs and many more. Equipped with the same diagnostic tools used in top veterinary practices.
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Field visits to Valley Wildlife
Regular visits to work with a wide variety of larger animals including alpacas, donkeys, pigs, goats and sheep
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Off-site practical sessions and work experience
Built into your year as part of how the course is delivered.
On-Campus Animal Centre · 100+ Species
Student Voice
“
Learning health and safety, cleaning and handling animals, and working at the farm has helped me prepare for future experiences within animal management.
For parents and carers
Supporting your child’s journey
Qualifications That Count
These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.
See the full unit listFinancial Support Available
Bursaries are available, and free meals are provided for those who qualify. If cost is a concern, there's help, and it's straightforward to apply.
Financial support infoGCSE Support Built In
If your child needs to resit GCSE English or Maths, it's built into the timetable, not bolted on as an extra. They'll get structured support alongside their main course.
About student supportYour next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
Want to visit first?
FE Open Event – 12th January 202712th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Got a question?
Ask us about the course, entry requirements or funding.
Call 0800 358 7575
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.
2
You meet your tutor
We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.
3
You get an offer
We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.
4
You get ready to start
Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.