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Would you like to help animals every day as a career?
Animals deserve better. And you could become the person who knows how to help animals when they need it most.
You could handle daily care, like feeding, watering, bathing, or walking, or help prepare an animal for surgery.
But before you start, you need to understand how to care for animals safely.
In this course, you'll work with over 200 animals every day in our Animal Care Centre to get real care experience.
You'll also complete a two-day work placement every week in a veterinary practice, so you can learn the skills to stand out in the job market.
Why should you take this course?
You need four GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including Maths, English, and Science.
You don't need any animal care experience.
All you need is commitment and an interest in animal care.
You must find and secure a two-day-a-week placement in a veterinary practice.
If you don't achieve the grades you expected, our tutors recommend starting with Introduction to Animal Care Level 1.
Our tutors will find a course that's right for you.
You won't spend every lesson sat at your desk. This course is highly practical.
To understand animals, you need to work with them.
You'll learn in our Animal Care Centre at the Somer Valley Campus in Radstock.
Our Animal Care Centre is home to over 200 animals, like rabbits, birds, snakes, and lizards, so you'll quickly get used to handling and caring for animals.
One day, you could learn how to protect an animal's welfare and care for their needs.
And the next day, you could learn the anatomy and physiology to help veterinary surgeons.
If you feel nervous about handling animals for the first time, it's okay.
Our qualified veterinary nursing tutors will help you learn as you go and feel more confident every step of the way.
You'll also complete a placement with a veterinary practice, so you feel comfortable working with animals before you start your first job.
This will also help you stand out in the job market, with real experience on your CV.
You can also study GCSE Maths and English on the side if you don't yet have a grade 4, to make life easier if you want to progress in the veterinary sector.
You'll complete practical and written assessments.
For practical assessments, an assessor will observe your skills through real tasks in the veterinary practice.
You'll also complete written and oral exams and case studies.
After you complete this course, you can apply for your first veterinary nurse assistant role.
You could also work in animal rescue or grooming where you save and help animals every day.
Please note that this course may not give you entry into Level 3 Veterinary Nursing or a vet nurse apprenticeship.
Email info@bathcollege.ac.uk to ask about the progression route before you apply.
Some course related trips may incur a cost, where this is the case details will be sent home prior to the event.
The aim of this VetSkill Level 2 Veterinary Care Support course is to provide the opportunity for you to gain direct experience of working in the veterinary field of industry and ensure you have a strong foundation of knowledge and practical skills. Those who successfully complete this course will have achieved a nationally recognised qualification and are very well equipped to enter employment as a veterinary care assistant.
You may need to pay for safety boots, navy overalls, and a £10 refundable deposit for a personal locker.
You may also need to cover fees for any field trips.
If you need help with any of these fees, travel costs to and from the college, or free college meals, please email studentfunding@bathcollege.ac.uk.
Money shouldn't stop you from studying to help animals every day.
The Somer Valley Campus also offers the following support:
If you have an issue affecting your time at college, the Welfare team can help you with:
Email safe@bathcollege.ac.uk to book a private one-to-one meeting with a Welfare Officer.