Set within more than 60 acres of working farmland and based in rural West Oxfordshire, Common Leys Farm is home to all our Animal Care courses and is a learning environment like no other.
Our Animal Care students work with a wide variety of mammals, reptiles and birds to gain as broad an understanding of caring for animals as possible, all within specialist indoor and outdoor units and enclosures.
Our Animal Care & Management courses offer a practical, specialised route into a career for caring for animals of all sizes. A typical day could include feeding the alpacas, checking the nightlife webcam footage and camera traps, learning about livestock feeding habits, before finishing the day by helping to maintain the enclosures. No two days are ever the same here!
You will gain experience and insights into all aspects of looking after animals – biology, behaviour, welfare, conservation, retail management and more – to find out what really motivates you to go further in this industry.
Outside of lessons, learners help to run a dog agility arena at the Blenheim International Horse Trials, organise and run farm events for the public throughout the year, and have the amazing opportunity to go on a South African safari trip to study conservation.
Animal Nursing Assistant
Animal Scientist
Animal Technician
Catteries/Kennels Assistant
Dog Groomer
Dog Trainer Uniformed Services
Pet Shop Manager
RSPCA Inspector
Zoo Keeper
School Leaver EFCM112P
This one year, full-time Level 1 course combines practical animal-related experience on the Common Leys Animal Unit along with theory to cover the key areas of the care of animals and livestock. You will get to work with a range of animals including ...
School Leaver EFCM101P
This one year, full-time Level 2 course combines both theory and practical animal-related work to cover the key areas of routine management and welfare for animals. You will get to work with a range of animals including reptiles, alpacas, meerkats an...
School Leaver EFCV100P
During the 2-year programme, students will learn the core knowledge and skills that are needed for entry to a range of animal care and management occupations. This includes 9 weeks minimum working with an employer on an industry placement....
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