Animal Care

Do you want to work in some of the world's wildest roles?

If working in vets, zoos, kennels, rescue centres or farms appeals to you, you’re in the right place! The UK’s animal care industry offers a range of rewarding careers, from veterinary nurse to zookeeper and much more. Secure your future by applying for one of our courses.

Browse Courses...

Land Based Studies Entry Level
Study Area: 16-18 Duration: 1 Year Attendance: Full Time
Land Based Studies Level 1
Study Area: 16-18 Duration: 1 Year Attendance: Full Time
Canine Health and Behaviour Level 2
Study Area: 19+ Duration: 9 Weeks Attendance: Part Time
GCSE Biology Level 2
Study Area: 19+ Duration: 1 Year Attendance: Part time
Animal Care Level 2
Study Area: 16-18 & 19+ Duration: 1 Year Attendance: Full Time
Canine Emergency First Aid Level 3
Study Area: 19+ Duration: 3 Weeks Attendance: Part Time
Dog Grooming Level 3
Study Area: 16-18 Duration: 1 Year Attendance: Full Time
Dog Grooming Fast Track
Study Area: All Duration: Flexible Attendance: Part Time
Dog Grooming and Salon Management Level 3
Study Area: 19+ Duration: 18 Weeks Attendance: Part Time
Animal Management Level 3
Study Area: 16-18 & 19+ Duration: 1 Year or 2 Years Attendance: Full Time
Why study Animal Care & Land Based Studies?

It’s a nationally-recognised qualification that will greatly improve your chances of gaining meaningful employment once you’ve completed your course.

You will be expertly trained in how to care for animals, from small domestic animals, to farm livestock and exotic creatures.

You’ll learn the essential skills and knowledge relating to every animal family, so you can explore as many employment opportunities as possible after your time with us.

Our staff share your passion for animals, and are enthusiastic experts with invaluable industry experience to enhance your learning.

You will benefit from our wide network of professional contacts in the industry, that can help to fast-track your job search.

Which level is best for you?

Calderdale College has a set of standard entry requirements. Apply for the course you want to study and we will help you get there.

There are a lot of courses available – work focused, practical and academic so it is important to think about the future and whether you want to proceed to university, move onto another course or get a job. We offer BTECs, ApprenticeshipsT Levels, NVQs, VRQs, Degree Level Courses and more.

If you’re still not sure, don’t worry. You can speak to a member of our advice and guidance team who will give you their best advice!

What will I study?

Whichever course you study with us, you will cover a range of units throughout your time at Calderdale College. There’s something for everyone!

Example Modules
Some example modules include:

Course Pages
Each individual course page contains information on the modules of study, but if you have any questions we are on hand to help.

Contact our Advice and Guidance team on 01422 399267 or email [email protected] for more info.

We've got the qualifications to help you thrive in a UK industry worth £1 billion and employing 78,000 people.

  • Veterinary Nurse

    Up to £35k
  • Dog Walker

    Up to £28k
  • Animal Shelter Manager

    Up to £25k
  • Dog Groomer

    Up to £30k
  • Dog Trainer

    Up to £26k
Do you…

Have a genuine love for animals and their welfare?

Are you…

Confident in handling animals?

Are you…

Ready to work in a variety of environments, indoor and outdoor?

Do you…

Have a caring, patient nature and a can-do attitude?

Need help with your application?

Request a call back and we'll talk you through it.

Request a Call Back

Get your fresh Starbucks at our Inspire Café

Located in the Inspire Centre, our Inspire Café sells Starbucks beverages plus a range of sandwiches and snacks. It is open to students, staff and visitors to the Inspire Centre.

Where to find us
The Inspire Café can be found in the Inspire Centre, at our campus on Francis Street, Halifax.

Food and drink available
Within the café you can find a range of sandwiches, paninis, cold drinks and Starbucks beverages, plus a range of other snacks.

Loyalty card
We offer an Inspire Café loyalty card, for every Starbucks drink you purchase you will be given a stamp and once you have collected 8 stamps you will get a free drink on us!

G Floor

If our Digital Skills and Media students are not in DigiHub they may find themselves on our top floor. 

This is also home to our Business suite and many Apprentices will spend their college hours here with 1 to 1s or group sessions.

Home to:
  • Digital Skills & Media
  • Business & Enterprise
  • Apprenticeships
F Floor

Our University Centre is located on F Floor and is home to all Higher Education students and staff. 

Home to:

  • University Centre
  • Professional Studies
  • Teacher Education
  • Access to HE
  • Curriculum Support
  • Skills for Life
E Floor

This is home to our Health and Social Care Students.

Here you will find a dentistry room with working chair and tools, a pharmacy, a hospital room and nursery style classroom for Childcare students.

Home to:

  • Health & Social Care
  • Early Years & Childhood Professions
  • Dental Nursing
D Floor

D Floor is home to our student run D Cafe.

Run by Employability and Life Skills students, the cafe provides them with skills for the future as well as providing you with a nice coffee and cake. 

Home to:

  • Maths and English
  • Employability & Life Skills
  • D Cafe
  • ESOL
  • Job Centre Plus
C Floor

Our business support, executive suite and meeting rooms are all found on C floor. This floor is restricted for student entry unless permission is granted. 

Home to:

  • Business Support
  • Executive Suite
  • Meeting Rooms
  • External Funding
B Floor

Here you will find The Full Works Salon, a hair and beauty salon run by staff and students; with affordable treatments for you and your friends.

One of our two Learning Centres is also on B Floor and has plenty of PCs for drop-in use as well as bookable rooms for collaboration and quiet study.

Home to:

  • Full Works Salon
  • Hair & Beauty
  • Multi Faith Room
  • 14-16 Suite
  • Students Union
  • Learning Centre
A Floor

A Floor is home to our state-of-the-art DigiHub and Trade Academy. Our Digital Skills, Computing and Media students will spend a lot of their time here in the music studio, photography studio or iMac Suite.

Students of our construction courses will find our Brickwork, Carpentry and Joinery workshops. You will also find Cuisine 1893, our very own restaurant standard kitchen, where our hospitality and catering students will train. 

Home to:

  • Reception
  • Cuisine 1893
  • DigiHub
  • Enrolment Suite
  • Learner Services
  • Trade Academy
Inspire Centre

The Inspire Centre is home to our Sport students. With a fitness suite, rock climbing wall, sports hall and outdoor pitches there’s plenty of opportunities to get stuck into a new sport or fitness regime.

The Inspire Centre also hosts our second Learning Centre and our Animal Care students will also find their animals in the various classrooms dedicated to them, or in the outdoor hutches. Facilities for our Public Services, Outdoor Education, Electrical, Plumbing and Engineering courses are also found in the Inspire Centre. Plus you can grab a coffee from Starbucks on your way out!

Home to:

  • Sports & Fitness
  • Animal Care
  • Learning Centre
  • Outdoor Pitches

We may look a little different!

You might have noticed we recently made some changes to the look of our website but don’t worry you can still find all the courses and information you need!

Here are some quick links below