C&G Level 1 Award in Land-based Studies (Introduction to Dog Grooming) 2025-26

Dog Grooming is a highly popular career choice. With dog ownership always on the rise and growing opportunities in this sector, training as a dog groomer with a dog grooming course at East Durham College can help you start your own business or work as a professional dog groomer in a grooming parlour.

All students MUST start by successfully completing the Level 1 Foundation Course in Dog Grooming. The Foundation Course introduces students to dog grooming equipment, important health and safety, preparation for grooming and bathing and hygiene trims.

This is a prerequisite to join the Level 2 Dog Grooming Assistant Course and progress onto the Level 3 Dog Groomer Course. Learners will progress to working in a dog grooming salon or owning their own business

The courses progression pathway:

City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Land-based Studies (Foundation in Dog Grooming, 8 weeks programme)
City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants (Progress from Foundation, No direct entry*, 20 weeks programme)
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming (Progress from Level 2, No direct entry, 1 year programme)
Once the foundation course has been completed, students then have the option to enrol on the Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants. *Only in exceptional circumstances would relevant industry experience be considered for entry onto the course, however, this is at the strict discretion of the course manager and will be dependent on a competency assessment.

Learners wishing to progress onto the Level 3 Diploma will have gained a Merit overall in the Level 2 qualification. There is strictly no direct entry onto this course.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

Through a health and safety multiple choice exam, assignment and practical assessment work

There are multiple enrolments throughout the year - September, January and Easter

10 week course, 3 hours a week