Our Animal Care Centre provides a dedicated learning environment where students develop practical skills while caring for a variety of animals. The centre houses our animals and is used exclusively by Animal Care students as part of their specialist training.
Whether you’ve always had a natural connection with animals or you’re just beginning to explore the idea of working with them, the animal care sector offers countless pathways to build a rewarding future. At East Coast College, we help you turn that passion into real‑world skills and exciting opportunities.
Our animal care courses are designed for students who embrace their potential and aren’t afraid to follow their curiosity. From veterinary nursing to wildlife conservation, our courses open the door to careers that make a genuine difference. With hands‑on learning, expert guidance, work experience and access to a wide range of species, you’ll gain the confidence and experience you need to secure your next step.
Animal Care FAQs
You’ll be able to meet a wide variety of animals at our centre, including rabbits, guinea pigs, degus, rats, striped mice, several small birds, African pygmy hedgehogs, a Horsfield tortoise, white tree frogs, gargoyle geckos, Rankin’s dragons, bearded dragons, a corn snake, a python, a blue‑tongue skink, various fish, and a selection of invertebrates, with plans to continue expanding the collection over time.
Yes. Work experience is an important part of many of our courses, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain valuable industry experience. Our dedicated Work Experience Coordinator will support you in exploring your career interests and finding a placement that's right for you.
Yes. As part of your course, you'll gain hands-on experience caring for our onsite animals. This includes preparing and providing food, carrying out routine health checks, and completing both spot cleans and full enclosure cleans as part of their daily care.
Yes. Students have the opportunity to take part in a range of educational trips and visit that enhance their learning. Recent destinations have included Colchester Zoo, Africa Alive, Banham Zoo, Umphafa Nature Reserve in South Africa, the Museum of Zoology, the Sealife Centre, Pakefield Pastures and many more. These experiences provide valuable opportunities to observe wildlife, develop practical skills and apply classroom learning in real-world settings.
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Student Stories
Hear from students who turned ambition into achievement through our courses.
Sophie Cassidy
"T Level Health was crucial in helping me discover my passion for nursing. I'm no successfully pursuing my degree in paediatric nursing, all thanks to this course!"
Great Yarmouth
Jessica Brooks
"I found college to be very accepting and has provided me with new experiences including trips and placement, which will help me with my next steps."
Lowestoft
Childcare and Education
Logan Clarke
"I've had the opportunity to work on live projects where my work has been displayed at The Time and Tide Museum and the Ice House."
Great Yarmouth
Creative Media
Jasmine Antonellou
"The best thing about my time at college is learning new skills and how it can set me up for my career. I have learnt bricklaying skills that I did not know beforehand, which has opened up amazing opportunities."
Great Yarmouth
Brickwork
Callum Drewery
"College has been a really valuable experience for me, being hands-on and learning with industry-standard facilities has helped me secure a job in a garage."
Great Yarmouth
Automotive
Phoebe Wakefield
"My time at East Coast College has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing me to study a subject I am passionate about and providing opportunities to travel during the course and pursue global career opportunities."
Lowestoft
Travel and Tourism
Skye Quinney
"My time at ECC has been the best experience of my life! Meeting new people and furthering my education with animals has opened up new doors for a career in the industry."
Great Yarmouth
Animal Care
See what our employer partners are saying
"At UmPhafa, the students are exposed to life on a game reserve from various perspectives by actually working alongside those that work here on a daily basis. Over the course of the trip, the students are exposed to many different game reserve areas to give them an idea of conservation through an educational experience. We were delighted to have East Coast College join us as it gave us the chance to educate and show the students interested in the field of conservation the practicalities of running a game reserve."
UmPhafa Nature Reserve
Amanda Warren