Our Animal Care students work with a wide variety of mammals, reptiles and birds to gain as broad an understanding of caring for animals as possible, all within specialist indoor and outdoor units and enclosures.
Our Animal Care & Management courses offer a practical, specialised route into a career for caring for animals of all sizes. A typical day could include feeding the alpacas, checking the nightlife webcam footage and camera traps, learning about livestock feeding habits, before finishing the day by helping to maintain the enclosures. No two days are ever the same here!
You will gain experience and insights into all aspects of looking after animals – biology, behaviour, welfare, conservation, retail management and more – to find out what really motivates you to go further in this industry.
Outside of lessons, learners help to run a dog agility arena at the Blenheim International Horse Trials, organise and run farm events for the public throughout the year, and have the amazing opportunity to go on a South African safari trip to study conservation.
Previous school:
Henry Box School
Even though it was a huge change coming here from school, everyone has been so supportive, and I’ve changed for the better.
The campus is amazing and I’ve always wanted to work with animals – being here has really helped me focus on what I want to do in the future, which is to follow the conservation career path.
Having just finished my course, I’m going stay at Common Leys and do the Animal Behaviour and Welfare foundation degree with Oxford Brookes University.
Previous school:
Larkmead School
Working with a wide variety of animals like reptiles, birds and livestock has been a great experience, and working with different people on different projects – this is something that has improved my confidence and communication.
The variety of what we do on the course is excellent and has helped me to discover what I enjoyed most. In the future, I am planning to do a degree in Wildlife Conservation.
Previous school:
Henry Box School
I really enjoyed working with the wide variety of animals here at Common Leys Farm.
All the teachers were supportive, friendly and they organised fantastic trips, such as going to Crufts!
College is a great way to meet new people and develop your skills in your chosen area of study. It helped me understand what's needed to go far in the animal care industry.
My future plans are to work in a zoo or safari park.
Animal Nursing Assistant
Animal Scientist
Animal Technician
Catteries/Kennels Assistant
Dog Groomer
Dog Trainer Uniformed Services
Pet Shop Manager
RSPCA Inspector
Zoo Keeper
Part Time EPCU001P
Are you a dog owner? Would you like to be able to pamper your best friend? Are you interested in learning more about what is involved in professional dog grooming? Would you like to see if it is a possible career choice for you? This is a one-day int...
Part Time EPCU002P
Are you a dog owner? Would you like to be able to pamper your best friend? Are you interested in learning more about what is involved in professional dog grooming? Would you like to see if it is a possible career choice for you? This is a one-day int...
15th Apr 2023 - 15th Apr 2023
Saturday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsPart Time ESCR008P
This course is designed for those thinking of taking on farm livestock for the first time or who already have a smallholding but want to learn more. The course will be held at the Common Leys Farm Campus. You will take part in theory and practical se...
School Leaver EFCV250P
The course is designed to support you to achieve the formal L2 Technical diploma whilst focussing on employability skills and progression to the T= Level in Animal Care and Management. This one year, full-time Level 2 course combines both theory and ...
Undergraduate EHCM102P
The BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare Top Up programme can be studied full-time for 1 year or taken part-time across two years, with classes and practical sessions taught at the College's Witney and Common Leys Farm campuses.At Common Leys, you...
11th Sep 2023 - 5th Jul 2024
Wednesday & Thursday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsSchool Leaver EFCM112P
This one year, full-time Level 1 course combines practical animal-related experience on the Common Leys Animal Unit along with theory to cover the key areas of the care of animals. You will get to work with a range of animals including rabbits, alpac...
Part Time ESCP106P
This animal first aid course taught by a specialist professional is perfect for owners of all types of domestic pets who want to be prepared should a pet need emergency first aid or treatment for minor injuries. The course includes a range of species...
11th Mar 2023 - 11th Mar 2023
Saturday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsSchool Leaver EFCM103P
This course combines both theory and practical work. The course covers the scientific aspects of animal care as well as the advanced aspects designed to give you a broad spectrum of knowledge and the opportunity for progression into higher education....
Undergraduate EHCR103P
The BSc (Hons) in Animal Therapy and Rehabilitation promotes an understanding of contemporary aspects of complimentary therapy and underpinning science, and their application in present-day situations. In this top up year, students continue to undert...
11th Sep 2023 - 5th Jul 2024
Wednesday & Thursday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsUndergraduate EHCP101P
The FdSc in Animal Therapy and Rehabilitation promotes an understanding of contemporary aspects of complimentary therapy its underpinning science, and their application in present-day situations. A key feature of the FdSc programme is the emphasis on...
11th Sep 2023 - 27th Jun 2025
Thursday & Friday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsSchool Leaver EFCM101P
This one year, full-time Level 2 course combines both theory and practical animal-related work to cover the key areas of routine management and welfare for animals. You will get to work with a range of animals including reptiles, alpacas, meerkats an...
Part Time EPCU201P
Hydrotherapy has become a key element of supportive care for our beloved four-legged friends. This course will give you an excellent introduction into canine therapy. The qualification allows learners to gain knowledge and understanding of working wi...
24th Apr 2023 - 24th Jul 2023
Mondays & Tuesdays
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsPart Time EPCN201P
This level 2 course is an excellent introduction to the art and skills required to become a professional dog groomer. You will work with a variety of dogs in our well-equipped dog grooming parlour, learning to correctly and safely restrain and handle...
Part Time EPCN202P
This level 2 course is an excellent introduction to the art and skills required to become a professional dog groomer. You will work with a variety of dogs in our well-equipped dog grooming parlour, learning to correctly and safely restrain and handle...
Part Time EPCS100P
The short course is designed for dog lovers and owners. The course will be held at the Common Leys Farm campus where we have access to both classrooms and the practical facilities. These include a commercial dog grooming room and a dog agility arena....
Part Time ESCQ005P
Are you a new smallholder wanting to start breeding your own flock of sheep? Do you find the concept of lambing on your own scary? This day course is designed to give an insight into safe and efficient lambing procedures and aims to equip learners wi...
18th Mar 2023 - 18th Mar 2023
Saturday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsPart Time EPCU000P
Starting your own business or changing a career path can be a daunting experience and often a bit of a maze to navigate. This is an introductory course to help anyone specifically wanting to start their own business within many areas of the animal in...
25th Feb 2023 - 25th Feb 2023
Saturday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course details