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Animal care courses

24 Courses Available

Animal studies

Always wanted to work with animals? Our animal care courses make it easy to build the knowledge and skills you need.

Study from home at your own pace and choose from flexible courses in animal welfare, animal behaviour, dog grooming, and much more!

Know which course you're interested in?

Courses

Dog Grooming QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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£389£349
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Animal Care at QLS Level 2

80 hours
12 months - tutor support
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£389£349
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Veterinary Support Assistant at QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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£389
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Complete Animal Care

340 hours
36 months - tutor support
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£1,197£979
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Animal Behaviour at QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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£389£349
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Marine Biology QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Exotic Animal Care QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Animal Welfare QLS Level 4

140 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Zoology QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Principles of British Wildlife care and Rehabilitation QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support

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£389
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Dog Training QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Canine Science QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Equine Studies QLS

12 months - tutor support

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£429
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Animal Care and Animal Behaviour

200 hours
24 months - tutor support
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£798£709
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Feline Studies QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support

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£389
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Canine Science and Dog Training QLS Level 3

240 hours
24 months - tutor support
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£798£709
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Primatology QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Canine Health and Nutrition QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Ornithology QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Domestic Animal Care QLS Level 3

120 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Chicken Keeping QLS Level 2

80 hours
12 months - tutor support
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Canine Health and Nutrition and Canine Science QLS Level 3

240 hours
24 months - tutor support
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£798£709
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Level 5 Diploma in Animal Psychology

24 months - tutor support

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£3,799
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Level 5 Diploma in Animal Studies

24 months - tutor support

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£3,799
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Start a career in animal care

If spending time with animals has always felt like your happy place, why not turn that passion into something more? Working with animals isn't just a job, it's a chance to make a difference doing what you truly care about.

Open Study College is one of the UK’s leading online learning providers, offering animal care courses for learners at all levels, from beginners to those looking to acquire more advanced knowledge.

Working with animals

Our animal care courses and diplomas can build the knowledge you need to enter roles such as:

  • Animal care assistant: Responsible for the comfort, safety and health of animals, providing day-to-day care and monitoring their well-being.
  • Veterinary assistant: Provides support for the veterinary team of surgeons and nurses, offering direct care, sample collection or administrative duties.
  • Animal welfare officer: Safeguard animal welfare by responding to complaints, rescuing animals in distress and collaborating with authorities to uphold animal protection laws.
  • Dog groomer: Provides a service to maintain a dog's appearance by washing, grooming, trimming and checking for any health concerns.
  • Kennel or cattery worker: Responsible for the daily care of dogs or cats, including feeding, exercise, cleaning enclosures, and monitoring health and behaviour.
  • Animal rescue worker: Responds to emergencies involving animals in danger, rescuing them from neglect or harm and supporting their rehabilitation and rehoming.
  • Zoo or wildlife centre assistant: Caring for exotic or wild animals, helping with feeding, cleaning enclosures, observing behaviour and supporting conservation or educational programmes.

Studying animal care online

At Open Study College, we understand that our learners have busy lives and commitments, which is why we offer flexible animal care courses that can be studied entirely online. You can study the same animal care course that you would do in a traditional college, but with the added benefit of complete flexibility.

Our animal care courses are designed to fit around your schedule, with no set timetables or commute required. You can study whenever it suits you, wherever you like, and with 24-hour access to your course materials. This means you can balance your studies with other commitments such as work, family, or hobbies.

Tutor support

When you enrol on one of our animal care courses, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will be with you every step of the way. They will offer unlimited support and guidance to help you succeed in your course. Whether you have questions about the course material, need help with an assignment, or just want to discuss your progress, your tutor will be on hand to provide the expert support you need.

At Open Study College, we are committed to ensuring that you have the best possible learning experience, and our dedicated tutors are a key part of that commitment. With their support and guidance, you can be confident that you are getting the most out of your animal care course and achieving your goals.

Frequently asked questions

There are different ways you can work with animals. You can study a college course and earn a qualification, complete an apprenticeship, or volunteer. Here are some of the ways you can get work experience while earning your qualification at the same time:

  • Provide pet-sitting services.
  • Apply to work at a stable or a farm.
  • Volunteer at an animal care shelter or rescue.
  • Volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation centre or zoo.
  • Work at a veterinary clinic.
  • Shadow an individual in your interested field.

The qualifications you need to work with animals will depend on which career path you want to go down. For example, the qualifications needed for dog grooming are very different to those needed to become a vet.

According to National Careers Service, when starting out as an animal care assistant, you can earn on average £14,000 per year. With more experience, you can earn up to £24,000 per year, all whilst working 38-40 hours per week.

Here are just some of the day-to-day tasks an animal care assistant may do:

  • Conduct daily checks of animals and monitor their health status.
  • Ensure that animals receive regular exercise.
  • Maintain up-to-date records and address queries from colleagues or the public.
  • Clean kennels, enclosures, cages, or stables regularly.
  • Prepare food and help with feeding times.
  • Groom and maintain the cleanliness of animals.
  • Attend to the needs of sick or distressed animals.

Looking to speak to an adviser?

We are delighted that you are considering joining us to study and take pleasure in welcoming you to our family.

Open Study College is one of the UK’s leading distance-learning colleges. We provide professionally-recognised animal studies courses that enable you to study at your own pace, in your own environment either online or via printed materials sent to your home.

We understand that choosing a course is a big decision. That’s why we have a team of friendly, knowledgeable education specialists who can help you choose the right animal studies qualifications for you.

Over the past 17 years, we’ve enrolled over 140,000 people on courses that have improved their education and their career prospects!

Our education specialists can answer any questions you may have, talk you through our finance options and get you enrolled over the telephone.

As a family-founded college, we think of our learners as extended members of our family. We’re all here to help you achieve your goals in life, whatever they may be.

If you’d like to speak to an education specialist about our online animal studies courses, simply complete the form here and you’ll get a call back at the requested time.

Get in touch

Our education specialists are here to assist you with anything you may need. Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch within 24 hours, Monday to Saturday.

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