Animal Care and Management T Level

Topics You Will Learn on the T Level Animal Care and Management (Animal Management and Behaviour Pathway) over two years

• Animal health and welfare
• Animal husbandry and routine care
• Animal behaviour and behavioural development
• Animal learning theory
• Animal training techniques
• Habituation, sensitisation and conditioning
• Animal welfare legislation and ethics
• Recognising normal and abnormal behaviour
• Environmental enrichment and behavioural management
• Nutrition and feeding requirements
• Health monitoring and preventative healthcare
• Biosecurity and disease prevention
• Safe animal handling and restraint
• Animal accommodation and enclosure design
• Species-specific care requirements
• Working with companion animals, zoo species and livestock
• Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation principles
• Health and safety in the animal sector
• Sustainability and environmental legislation
• Climate change and waste management
• Business and enterprise within the animal industry
• Stock control and resource management
• Communication and customer service skills
• Employment rights and responsibilities
• Project management
• Digital skills and data management
• Research skills and scientific investigation
• Industry placement and professional practice
• Employability skills, teamwork and professionalism
• Planning and delivering animal-focused projects

Students also complete a 315-hour industry placement, allowing them to apply their learning in a real workplace and develop the practical skills needed for employment in the animal sector.

key part of the T Level is the industry placement, which gives students the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable experience within the animal sector. Students are required to complete a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) in a real workplace over the two-year programme.

Placements allow students to apply the knowledge and skills they learn in college while developing professional behaviours, confidence and employability skills. Students are supported throughout the process and can complete their hours through a single placement or a combination of placements.

Examples of suitable industry placement settings include:

• Animal rescue and rehoming centres
• Veterinary practices and veterinary hospitals
• Zoos and wildlife parks
• Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres
• Kennels and catteries
• Dog day care and boarding facilities
• Grooming salons
• Pet shops and specialist animal retailers
• Farms and smallholdings
• Equine yards and riding centres
• Aquatic centres and aquariums
• Animal charities and welfare organisations
• Assistance dog and working dog organisations
• Animal training and behaviour businesses

Students may choose to progress on to university courses such as:

• Animal Management
• Animal Behaviour
• Animal Science
• Zoology
• Wildlife Conservation
• Veterinary Nursing
• Bioveterinary Science
• Agriculture and Environmental Management
• Animal Welfare and Rehabilitation

The qualification can also lead directly into employment or higher apprenticeships within the animal care and management sector, including roles in zoos, wildlife centres, animal welfare organisations, kennels, catteries and training facilities.