Animal Management

Step Into the World of Animal Care

Whether you’re 16, exploring your passion for animals, or an adult looking to start a new chapter, our animal care courses are perfect. Dive into hands-on learning at our Wigfield Farm campus and discover how to care for pets, understand animal behaviour, and even work with wildlife or farm animals. Whether it’s a future career or a lifelong love for animals, we’ll help you build the skills and confidence to make a difference. Join us and take the first step towards a rewarding journey in animal care!

College Courses

T Level

Practical Route

University-Level Courses

Career Coach

Annual Openings:
50

Current employment:
787

Median Earnings:
£41,586.00

Educational requirements:
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Age demographics

The graph shows the distribution of people in Veterinarian by age group.

Age group %
16-24 years:0%
25-34 years:39.28%
35-44 years:30%
45-54 years:15.65%
55-64 years:12.91%
65+ years:2.13%

Annual earnings

The graph shows the annual earnings of people in Veterinarian by amount.

Percentile Earnings £
10%:£15,352
25%:£32,123
50%:£41,586
75%:£50,453
90%:£69,630

Core tasks

  • Maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation.
  • Carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students.
  • Performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations.
  • Performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products.
  • Euthanises old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals.
  • Investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care.
  • Administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery.
  • Inoculates animals against communicable diseases.
  • Examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests.

Education Attainment Levels

The graph shows the education level of people in Veterinarian.

Level %
Level 0:0.43%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education):1.73%
Level 6 (Bachelors):72.81%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent):19.62%
Level 8 (Doctorate):5.40%

Employment numbers by year

The graph shows the employment numbers in Veterinarian by year.

Year Employment
2022:675
2023:757
2024:787
2025:812
2026:831
2027:846
2028:858
2029:866
2030:871
2031:875
2032:877
2033:879

Hourly earnings

The graph shows the hourly earnings of people in Veterinarian by amount.

Percentile Earnings £
10%:£15
25%:£18.14
50%:£23.22
75%:£27.57
90%:£38.49

Knowledge

  • Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.
  • Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  • Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.
  • Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  • Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  • Food Production: Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  • Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
  • Philosophy and Theology: Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
  • Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Foreign Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
  • Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • History and Archaeology: Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  • Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Workforce demographics

The graph shows the male/ female split in Veterinarian.

Male 41.44%
Female 58.55%

Annual Openings:
46

Current employment:
589

Median Earnings:
£13,610.00

Educational requirements:
Level 3 NVQ
A Levels

Age demographics

The graph shows the distribution of people in Veterinary Nurse by age group.

Age group %
16-24 years:17.45%
25-34 years:44.57%
35-44 years:25.42%
45-54 years:9.45%
55-64 years:1.68%
65+ years:1.39%

Annual earnings

The graph shows the annual earnings of people in Veterinary Nurse by amount.

Percentile Earnings £
10%:£7,546
25%:£9,821
50%:£13,610
75%:£16,894
90%:£20,207

Core tasks

  • Advises clients on preventative medicine to maintain appropriate animal health and welfare.
  • Maintains the biosecurity of the veterinary premises.
  • Cares for animals in hospital accommodation and keeps accurate records.
  • Collects and analyses blood, urine and other samples.
  • Handles animals during treatment.
  • Dispenses and administers medication and applies dressings to animals under direction from the veterinarian.
  • Prepares operating theatre, sterilises equipment and assists in theatre as required.
  • Assists the veterinary surgeon during surgical and medical treatments of animals.

Education Attainment Levels

The graph shows the education level of people in Veterinary Nurse.

Level %
Level 0:2.83%
Level 1:0.52%
Level 2:13.99%
Level 3:35.79%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education):12.20%
Level 6 (Bachelors):29.79%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent):4.88%

Employment numbers by year

The graph shows the employment numbers in Veterinary Nurse by year.

Year Employment
2022:502
2023:568
2024:589
2025:608
2026:622
2027:633
2028:643
2029:648
2030:652
2031:655
2032:657
2033:658

Hourly earnings

The graph shows the hourly earnings of people in Veterinary Nurse by amount.

Percentile Earnings £
10%:£10.15
25%:£11.07
50%:£12.72
75%:£14.23
90%:£17.43

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • Biology: Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.
  • Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  • Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.
  • Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
  • Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
  • Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
  • Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
  • Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • Food Production: Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
  • Foreign Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
  • Philosophy and Theology: Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
  • Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • History and Archaeology: Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
  • Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
  • Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Workforce demographics

The graph shows the male/ female split in Veterinary Nurse.

Male 1.52%
Female 98.47%

Annual Openings:
138

Current employment:
2449

Median Earnings:
£12,041.00

Educational requirements:
Level 2 NVQ
GCSE at grades A*-C

Age demographics

The graph shows the distribution of people in Animal Care Services Occupation by age group.

Age group %
16-24 years:29.43%
25-34 years:34.29%
35-44 years:11.87%
45-54 years:13.65%
55-64 years:9.52%
65+ years:1.21%

Annual earnings

The graph shows the annual earnings of people in Animal Care Services Occupation by amount.

Percentile Earnings £
10%:£5,339
25%:£7,797
50%:£12,041
75%:£14,062
90%:£19,581

Core tasks

  • Work alongside veterinary surgeons and nurses to provide vital nursing care to ensure the wellbeing of animal patients.
  • Patrols public areas to search for and capture stray or nuisance dogs, and transports captured animals to kennels.
  • Meets prospective owners and advises on animal selection and animal care.
  • Checks animals for illness, treats minor ailments or calls for vet if further treatment is required.
  • Houses, feeds, exercises, trains, grooms horses, dogs and other animals in preparation for entry to shows, races and other events.
  • Cleans animals’ quarters and renews bedding as necessary.
  • Feeds, washes, grooms, trims and exercises animals.

Education Attainment Levels

The graph shows the education level of people in Animal Care Services Occupation.

Level %
Level 0:5.13%
Level 1:3.91%
Level 2:26.05%
Level 3:29.71%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education):10.69%
Level 6 (Bachelors):21.20%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent):3.31%

Employment numbers by year

The graph shows the employment numbers in Animal Care Services Occupation by year.

Year Employment
2022:2129
2023:2447
2024:2449
2025:2518
2026:2574
2027:2623
2028:2665
2029:2690
2030:2707
2031:2718
2032:2727
2033:2732

Hourly earnings

The graph shows the hourly earnings of people in Animal Care Services Occupation by amount.

Percentile Earnings £
10%:£8.52
25%:£10.55
50%:£11.44
75%:£12.41
90%:£15.98

Knowledge

    Skills

      Workforce demographics

      The graph shows the male/ female split in Animal Care Services Occupation.

      Male 12.26%
      Female 87.73%

      Reasons to join with us at Barnsley College

      1) At Wigfield Farm, you’ll work closely with a diverse range of animals, from chickens and cows to donkeys, meerkats, and llamas. This is your chance to gain real, practical experience in animal care, setting you up for a successful future in the industry.

      2) You won’t just be studying in the classroom! At Wigfield Farm, you’ll gain valuable work experience and take part in exciting field trips, bringing your studies to life and giving you the skills that employers are looking for.

      3) Once you’ve completed your course, you’ll have the opportunity to continue your education by progressing to a Higher Education course at Barnsley College or another institution, unlocking even more pathways for your future.

      Animal Management News:

      Student Profile

      Name: Kiera Hawksworth

      Course: Level 3 Animal Management (Advanced Technical Diploma)

      Former Barnsley Academy pupil.

      person with dragon
      "The experience at College is amazing! I love socialising with the animals and forming bonds while I learn. After College, I hope to study Zoology at university and become a Zookeeper. I have used the Learner Support Fund which has relieved me of the stress of paying for the things I need for my course."

      Student Profile

      Name: Ella Hawksworth

      Course: Level 3 Animal Care (Practical)

      Former Outwood Academy pupil

      student with donkey
      "I chose the College because they had the course I wanted to do, it’s not far from where I live and, I can use the free bus to get to the Wigfield Farm campus. The staff are really great and give amazing support. After College, I hope to study to become a Vet."