Female student smiling at camera whilst petting goat

Animal Care, Science & Management

If you want to work with pets, wildlife, livestock or in a scientific setting, gain the hands-on experience employers are looking for at Houghall College.

Choose your course

Whether you’re 16–18 or an adult, you can study full-time or part-time, from introductory to degree level.

View all Animal Care courses by visiting the course finder.

What you'll study

Through practical learning you'll build real animal care skills, scientific understanding and the confidence to work with a wide range of species in professional settings.

Depending on your level, you’ll cover:

animal health, husbandry and care routines
behaviour, enrichment and welfare
safe handling and restraint
feeding and nutrition
monitoring health and recognising signs of illness
legislation, ethics and animal welfare standards
animal science, biology and disease management
caring for exotic, domestic and farm animals

Our animal care facilities

Houghall College's facilities have received significant investment and offer one of the most diverse specialist animal training environments in the region.

As an Animal Care student, you’ll have access to:

a multi-million-pound Small Animal Centre
a wide range of domestic and exotic species on-site, including reptiles, aquatics, small mammals and livestock
a commercial dog grooming salon
a 22-bay kennel unit
livestock resources across the wider estate, including cattle, sheep and pigs
a brand-new Learning Centre from 2027

Learning beyond the classroom

As part of your course, you’ll also get involved in:

work experience in animal settings, rescues, kennels or farms
talks from visiting industry professionals
trips to zoos, wildlife parks and specialist organisations
practical activities linked to conservation, behaviour and welfare
personal tutor support and specialist careers guidance

Where it could lead

Depending on your level of study, an animal care qualification can lead to:

animal care assistant, kennel technician or dog groomer
zookeeper, wildlife ranger or animal welfare officer
veterinary nurse, animal behaviourist or animal scientist
research officer, conservation worker or education manager

Our Level 3 students have gone on to study degrees including Zoology, Veterinary Nursing, Conservation & Ecology and Biological Sciences, at universities including Newcastle University, the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Lincoln.

Fees & funding

Course fees vary by level. Full-time courses are free for 16 to 18-year-olds. Adult students may also be eligible for funding depending on circumstances.

To find out more, check our Course Fees & Funding page.