Level 2 Extended Certificate in Work-based Animal Care

While studying at Writtle College, you’ll learn theory in the classroom and get hands-on experience in our specialist facilities.

You’ll explore biology, anatomy, physiology and animal behaviour; learn how to safely handle a range of species; and promote animals’ health by looking after their living and nutrition needs. There’s also a focus on animal first aid, and opportunities to practise basic veterinary nursing skills.

This course can be studied as an apprenticeship, if you’re already in work and your employer supports your studies, or as a ‘standalone’ student.

All learners study the same topics, but there are slight differences in assessment methods (see the section ‘Teaching and assessment’) and work experience expectations.

• Standalone students must undertake a minimum of 16 hours per week work experience, paid or voluntary, for the duration of the academic year (September–July)
• Apprentices must be employed in the industry working a contracted minimum of 30 hours a week, on a 12-month minimum contract.

Which animal studies course is right for me?
We offer a number of college and university courses in animal management.

College courses are the next step on from GCSEs. You can apply if you’re studying GCSEs now, or you took GCSEs previously and want to return to education. Other college courses at Writtle are:

• Level 3 Certificate in Practical Animal Care Skills, which takes one year and has a strong focus on animal health and wellbeing
• Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in Animal Management, which covers health and wellbeing but also explores topics such as animal husbandry, behaviour and estate skills.

University degrees are for students aged 18+ who’ve completed A-levels or an equivalent qualification. University degrees at Writtle include our BSc (Hons) Animal Management.