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Animal Nursing Assistant, Level 2

  • 2

    Level
    Level 2

  • Duration
    1 year

  • Start Date
    September 2025

  • Venue
    Easton College campus

  • Course Code
    A0620

Start Date

  • September 2025, Full Time

Summary

The Level 2 Certificate for Animal Nursing Assistants aims to facilitate learners’ further progression for a career in veterinary nursing, based within a veterinary practice.

The course covers a number of units including Anatomy and Physiology, Principles of Infection Control and Parasitology and Zoonosis. It provides learners with the information required to play a valuable support role to qualified veterinary staff and to assist owners in the correct management of their animals.

This qualification is designed for students who do not have the GCSEs to take the Level 3 in Animal Science and provides a good foundation to progress onto this course or the Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship.

Please note, this course is waiting for final approval.

Did you know?

You can live on-site in our Student Accommodation, just a few minutes away from the classroom!

Find out more

Why Our College?

Gain hands-on experience

Work with a variety of animals in our Animal Management Centre.

Thriving life sciences industry

The East of England has a thriving life sciences industry with over 3,000 people working in over 200 companies in the industry .

Excellent career opportunities

Courses offer routes into a variety of exciting careers working for a wide range of organisations including international charities, zoological societies, conservation organisations and veterinary practices.

Entry Requirements

  • Achieve 5 GCSE's at grade 4 or above, including English Language, science and maths.
  • Completion of a taster day

Learning Outcomes

Units include:

  • Introduction to animal anatomy and physiology
  • Provide basic nursing treatments to animals
  • Principles of infection and control for animal nursing assistants
  • Maintain animal accommodation
  • Provide nutrition to animals

Please note, units are subject to review each academic year and may change.

Assessment

  • Anatomy and Physiology exam
  • Assessments
  • 150 hours work experience, including 2 week placement in a veterinary practice and weekend duties at the college Animal Centre

Progression

Upon successful completion of the course and achieving your English and Maths GCSE at grade 6 or above, you could progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Animal Science, which provides you with the knowledge and skills to apply for veterinary degrees.

If you complete the course, but do not achieve your English and Maths GCSE at grade 6 or above, you could progress to the Level 3 Diploma in Animal Management or the Level 3 Veterinary Nursing Apprenticeship.

Career Progression

Animal nursing assistant, Veterinary nursing assistant.

Veterinary nurse or veterinarian after completing further training.

Fees

If you are a UK or home fee status student and aged 16-18 on the 31st August before the start of your course, tuition fees are free. If you are aged 19 and over please contact the Advice Shop.

There may be some costs for trips, visits or additional qualifications.

Where Next?

Why Our College?

Gain hands-on experience

Work with a variety of animals in our Animal Management Centre.

Thriving life sciences industry

The East of England has a thriving life sciences industry with over 3,000 people working in over 200 companies in the industry .

Excellent career opportunities

Courses offer routes into a variety of exciting careers working for a wide range of organisations including international charities, zoological societies, conservation organisations and veterinary practices.