Getting hands-on with the Animal Care & Management T Level at Common Leys Farm

T Levels Week is a chance to celebrate the technical qualifications helping students develop the knowledge, practical skills and industry experience they need for their future careers. Combining classroom learning with a substantial industry placement, T Levels offer an exciting alternative to traditional A Levels, preparing students for higher education, apprenticeships and employment.

Today for T Levels Week, we've popped over to our Common Leys Farm campus to discover more about our Animal Care & Management T Level and meet the students putting their learning into practice.

Learning beyond the classroom

Our Animal Care & Management T Level gives students a comprehensive understanding of the animal care sector over two years, covering everything from animal biology, nutrition and behaviour to health, welfare, conservation and handling techniques. Students also complete a minimum of nine weeks on an industry placement, gaining valuable experience in a professional environment.

At Common Leys Farm, students benefit from our dedicated animal unit, where they can put their knowledge into practice while caring for a wide variety of species. The facilities include a reptile room, aquatics room, rodent room, rabbit barn, animal handling room and outdoor meerkat and ferret enclosures and paddocks housing goats and donkeys.

Meet the animals our T Level students work with everyday

During our visit, one student demonstrated how to carry out a health check on ferrets Onyx and Bodhi. Starting with their eyes and face, they explained how to check for signs of infection before examining their teeth, ears, coat, limbs, feet and tail. Students also learn to check for signs of irritation, injury or other health concerns, developing the attention to detail needed to support animal welfare.

We also met Rex, a 21-year-old royal python. Also known as a ball python because of its tendency to curl into a ball when it feels threatened, Rex gave us an insight into the fascinating reptiles cared for at Common Leys Farm. Native to West and Central Africa, he is one of the oldest animals at the College.

Our visit also introduced us to Wallace and Gromit, two tenrecs. These fascinating mammals are native to Madagascar and belong to a diverse group of species that have evolved to resemble other animals, including hedgehogs, shrews and mice. Tenrecs live in a variety of habitats, from forests and trees to underground burrows.

With access to such a diverse range of animals and specialist facilities, students at Common Leys Farm gain valuable practical experience alongside their classroom learning. The Animal Care & Management T Level helps them build the skills and understanding to take their next steps towards their chosen career.

Interested in a future working with animals?

Discover our Animal Care & Management T Level at Abingdon & Witney College and take your first steps towards a rewarding career.