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Free Level 2 Animal Care Course in Barnsley

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Animal Care Course in Barnsley. Classes run at Barnsley College Wigfield, full-time during the day.

You'll need four GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English and Maths, or progression from a Level 1 Animal Care course. The course runs for one year and covers animal handling, health and welfare, nutrition, and the day-to-day care of a range of species. Barnsley College Wigfield has its own working farm at Wigfield, giving you hands-on experience with real animals.

You'll finish with a City and Guilds Technical Certificate in Animal Care.

Who this course is for

Whether you’ve got a passion for your penguins, you’re crazy about your cats or you have an almost unhealthy love of llamas, working with animals could be the perfect career move for you. Key skills include being confident handling animals, patience, and a willingness to get your hands dirty. Being good at belly rubs and the ability to scratch behind ears are also desirable. Barnsley College has it’s very own farm! Set in the Worsbrough Country Park area of Barnsley, Wigfield Farm has three main functions:

· A working farm producing livestock

· A base for Barnsley college land based courses

· An open farm and visitors Ccntre accessible to the local and wider community

Although farm staff are employed, the day to day work of the farm is undertaken by students following one of our many programmes of study. This gives them a real working environment to develop their skills and knowledge. We have a wide range of animals including meerkats, cows, goats, Shetland ponies, donkeys, alpacas, pigs, sheep, chickens, red deer, guinea pigs, rabbits and much more. There is also a rodent room and an aquatics room featuring many different varieties of fish and other aquatic life. Our students take a walk on the wild side in our exotics room where they care for and study a variety of reptiles. This course is ideal if you are interested in a career working with animals, introducing the main principles and practices of animal care and welfare.

Entry requirements

Four GCSEs at grade 3/D or above including English and Maths. Acceptance onto the programme is also subject to an interview OR progression from Level 1 Animal Care

What you will learn

  • You'll handle and restrain a range of animals safely.
  • You'll monitor animal health and recognise signs of illness.
  • You'll learn about animal nutrition and feeding routines.
  • You'll maintain animal housing and environments to welfare standards.
  • You'll understand animal behaviour and how to respond to it.
  • You'll carry out basic health checks and record keeping.
  • You'll follow health and safety procedures in an animal care setting.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions and practical, hands-on work at the college's on-site farm. Assessment includes written assignments, practical observations, and skills demonstrations. You'll build a portfolio of evidence throughout the year to show your competence across the qualification's units.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Barnsley College Wigfield will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Animal care assistant, supports the daily care of animals in a shelter or rescue centre.
  • Kennel assistant, looks after dogs in a boarding or rescue kennels.
  • Cattery assistant, cares for cats in a boarding or rescue facility.
  • Farm animal care worker, tends to livestock on a working farm.
  • Zoo or wildlife park keeper assistant, supports keepers with animal husbandry tasks.
  • Pet shop assistant, advises customers and cares for animals in a retail setting.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management, a deeper study of animal science and management for those wanting to specialise further.
  • Level 3 Animal Care or Veterinary Nursing qualifications, for those aiming toward clinical or veterinary support roles.
  • Apprenticeship in Animal Care or Kennel and Cattery Management, combining work and study with an employer.
Apply on barnsley.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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