Level 2 Traineeship in Animal Care

The Level 2 Traineeship in Animal Care aims to develop your understanding, knowledge and practical skills in relation to small animal care. It provides excellent preparation for working with animals and is suitable for those who wish to enter a wide range of careers from dog grooming to working in a zoo.

Course Code: P11012
Campus: Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn
Study Type: Full-Time
Education Level Further Education
Department: Animal Care
Course Overview

The Traineeship programme will provide an opportunity for you to achieve the following key elements:

A main Level 2 vocational based qualification

Vocational skills development

Transversal and digital skills

Work placement

Literacy and numeracy qualifications up to Level 2 (may include GCSE qualifications in English and Mathematics)

Additional qualifications deemed necessary for work within the sector e.g. Health and Safety

4 GCSEs grades D-G, including at least Grade D in Maths and Grade D in English or Essential Skills Level 1 in Literacy & Numeracy.

Applicants that have not obtained the above grades may be eligible to enrol as an Introductory Trainee.

Please contact us for further information

Modules may include:

  • Animal Health
  • Introduction to Animal Biology
  • Animal Welfare & Ethics
  • Animal Behaviour Assessment and Safe Handling
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animal Care Industry Employment
  • Practical Animal Care Project

You want to pursue a career working in the animal industry.

There will be is a vast number of potential careers open to you.

The course also included a significant amount of industry work experience, this will give you the opportunity to experience potential careers before fully committing to that pathway.

About animal health and welfare, animal biology, feeding animals and animal handling.

Developing your wider skills, as well as providing you with the technical skills and knowledge in your chosen area, the Traineeship will help you to develop a range of transversal skills that are important for employment including:  

Problem solving, Teamwork, Communication, Time management, Entrepreneurship.

Our on-Campus Animal Houses stocked with a wide variety of species and the very practical nature of the programme.

Project Based Learning will also be a key feature of Traineeships. ​

This is a dynamic approach to learning in which you will explore real-world problems and challenges that have been developed with employers.

With this type of active and engaged learning, you will be inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects you are studying and develop a wide range of hands-on skills.

All trainees who have attained the Full Traineeship Diploma may progress to employment or further study on a programme like the Level 3 National Foundation Diploma Animal Management*.  

The college also offers a Higher Education pathway in the form of a Level 4 HNC and a L5 HND in Animal Management.  

Possible career pathways may include:  

  • Veterinary
  • Animal welfare
  • Agriculture and equine study
  • Zoological and behavioural studies

* Please see specific entry criteria for Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Animal Management for further details.

Enquiries Information

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Available Sessions

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Terms & Conditions

Students will be required to comply with SERC's Terms & Conditions of study.

We strive to ensure the description of courses on SERC's website and in publications is accurate. However, for various reasons there may be occasions when the College may need to change arrangements or be unable to deliver classes due to circumstances such as reduced funding. If there are insufficient numbers applying for a course it may not be viable to deliver the class.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Further Education

Further Education

If you have just completed your GCSEs, Further Education is most likely the option for you. FE covers qualifications from entry to higher level qualifications such as Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, NVQ, BTEC and Apprenticeships.

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