Two year course with 6 weeks work experience.

The course is designed to get students ready for a career in the animal care world.The National Diploma is specifically designed to provide an understanding of the scientific, practical and administrative skills needed for the care of a wide range of animal species.

Modules include:

• Principles of animal science
• Animal health
• Microbiology
• Business management
• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Ecology and conservation.

Students must be 16years and older and need 4 GCSE's at grade C or above or a BTEC First diploma or equivalent. As part of the application process, students are also interviewed and previous experience taken in to account.

Assessment is continuous throughout the course and each unit is assessed by a variety of methods including, assignments and practical skills.

Once the course has been successfully completed students can go on to higher education, for example, the Higher National Diploma or a Degree in subjects like zoology and animal behavior. Students can also consider employment opportunities such as working in wildlife parks, rescue centres, kennels and catteries,veterinary nursing or veterinary practices etc. 

As part of the course students have to complete routine duties that consist of caring for a selection of animals with help from class members.  Students will be asked to feed, water, health check and clean out these animals. In addition,  in the final year students will be required to supervise the 1st year students and the First diploma students whilst they are performing the routine duties to make sure they are doing things correctly. This helps students to become a team leader or manager.