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1 Year
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Somer Valley Campus (Radstock)

Introduction to Animal Care Level 1

Course Type
Full Time Study Programme
Campus
Somer Valley Campus (Radstock)
Level
Level 1
Duration
1 Year

Course Overview

Course ID:
4821

Do you want to work with animals and get paid to do it?

If you worry your interest in animals is just a hobby, this course is your chance to learn more and turn it into a career.

You will work with over 200 animals - rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, snakes, lizards, insects - every day in our Animal Care Centre at the Somer Valley Campus.

Why should you take this course?

  • Get experience with over 200 real animals instead of reading and listening
  • Take the first step towards a career as a veterinary nurse or similar role
  • Work experience with a local animal care business to help you stand out in the job market
  • Progress to Level 2 Veterinary Care Support or Level 2 Animal Care

Interested in applying?

Offering Code:
P92ANC1/SDN1
Offering Name:
Introduction to Animal Care L1
Start Date:
06/09/2027
End date:
30/06/2028
Day Of Week:
Start Time:
End Time:
Campus Name:
Somer Valley Campus (Radstock)
Fee Rate 16 to 18 Fully Funded:
Fee Rate 19 Plus Fully Funded:
Fee Rate 19 Plus Co Funded:
Fee Rate Non Funded:
Offering ID:
307961
If you are interested in applying for this course or you can't find what you are looking for please let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry Requirements

You need a grade 2 in GCSE Maths and English to study this course.

We also ask that you have a deep interest in and love for animals.

Don't worry if you have no animal care experience. This is an introduction to animal care.

You don't need to have it all figured out from day one.

This course will help you take the first step toward your dream career with animals.

If you don't get the grades to study this course, don't worry.

Our tutors recommend Entry Level Animal Care instead.

There is a course for everyone at Bath College.

What topics are covered?
  • How to help provide basic animal care in a team
  • How to feed and water animals
  • How to maintain animal health
  • Understanding animal welfare
  • Health and safety in animal care
How will I be taught and assessed?

You will learn at the Somer Valley Campus in Radstock.

Every day, you will learn through practical activities and theory to become the skilled vet that employers want to hire.

You'll work with real animals to understand how they work and what they need, rather than learn from books or PowerPoints.

If you feel nervous about working with animals for the first time, don't worry.

Our qualified, experienced veterinary staff will help you pick
up more responsibility and feel confident every step of the way.

You will also learn Maths and English to help you progress to a higher-level animal care qualification.

But no day is the same if you study animal care at Bath College.

You will also explore the animal industry through field trips and a weekly work placement of your choice.

Every lesson will help you become a responsible, learning animal care professional.

If you want to progress to a level 2 animal care course, you will also need to earn a digital college badge in biology.

For assessments, you won't just sit exams.

While you will complete written work, practical assessments with the animals will also count towards your grade.

Learning with over 200 animals will:

  • connect your learning to real vet work
  • prepare you for a higher-level animal care course
  • give you the experience for your first animal care job.
What can I do next?

After you finish this course, you can progress to Animal Care Level 2 or Veterinary
Care Support Level 2
.

From there, you could secure an apprenticeship with a local animal care employer.

Bath College ranks 3rd in the UK for Level 3 Veterinary Nurse apprenticeships, with a 91.3% achievement rate.

This makes our apprenticeship a strong, clear path to employment in animal care.

If you don't want to take an apprenticeship, you could study Level 3 Animal Management.

You could then study an animal-related degree at university to open the door to specialist roles.

Once you finish studying, you could secure one of the following job roles:

  • Veterinary Nurse
  • Animal Care Worker
  • Animal Technician Assistant
  • Canine Groomer
  • Canine Trainer
  • Farmer
  • Kennel Worker
  • RSPCA Officer
  • Zookeeper
Are there any additional costs?

Students need to purchase steel toe capped boots and navy overalls for their practical lessons and need to pay a £10 refundable deposit for a locker. Some course related trips may incur a cost, where this is the case details will be sent home prior to the event.

What else do I need to know?
What is the aim of the course?

The aim of this course is to give you the confidence and foundation knowledge, understanding and work-related skills (including maths and English) to enable you to progress onto Level 2 animal care related courses or to enable you to enter employment as an animal care assistant.

Fees and Funding
What Students Say
How would I be supported?
Future Ready - Employability Skills
No offerings available for this course.