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.
All students and staff at Common Leys Farm play a big part in making sure the animals are well looked after and the farm operates smoothly, helping to create a buzzing atmosphere and a friendly, supportive community.
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 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...
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...
13th Sep 2021 - 24th Jun 2022
Wednesday & Thursday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsUndergraduate EHWE103P
The FdSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare combines contemporary scientific principles and practical, hands-on training, ensuring that our graduates are successful in both vocational and academic settings.The diverse range of teaching methods and asses...
13th Sep 2021 - 23rd Jun 2023
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...
School 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...
School Leaver EFCM125P
This 2 year 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 edu...
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...
13th Sep 2021 - 24th Jun 2022
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...
13th Sep 2021 - 23rd Jun 2023
Thursday & Friday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsPart Time EPCN201P
This level 2 course, one day per week, 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 ...
Part Time EPCR204P
This level 2 course, one day per week, 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 ...
24th Apr 2021 - 26th Jun 2021
Saturday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course detailsPart Time EPCR203P
This level 2 course, one day per week, 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 ...
Part Time EPCN202P
This level 2 course, one day per week, 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 ...
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...
20th Mar 2021 - 20th Mar 2021
Saturday
Animal Care & Management
Common Leys Farm
View course details