HND Animal Care

This full time course is for anyone who would like to work in the animal care industry or run a small business of their own.

Locations: Aberdeen, Barony, Oatridge, Elmwood
Study mode: full time (2 years)
Subject area: Animal Care
Start date: September 2025
Agency code: 1V63

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Course overview

This HND Animal Care course will give you the knowledge and skills you need for supervisory or management roles in the animal care industry, or to set up a small business of your own.

Offering in-depth knowledge about the specialist care and welfare of a wide range of species, the course can take you directly into work, or act as a first step into other animal-related studies.

View the related document to read more about progression routes when studying Animal Care.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Entry requirements

Two Highers at CC to include 2 of the following Maths, English, a science subject.

National 5 (A-C) to include English, Maths and Biology.

Minimum of one week of work experience in the industry.

Successful completion of NC Animal Care will be considered.

What you'll learn

This two year HND course covers a number of units to take an in-depth look into various animal species. You'll look at animals in society, including companion animals. You'll learn about behaviour, diagnostic techniques and drugs and medicines.

You'll also have opportunities for real-life work experience and learn how to get started in business, so when you graduate you'll have the confidence as well as the knowledge you need to start work.

Example modules include:

Animals in Society
Work Experience
Applied Companion animal Behaviour
Animal Care Drugs and Medicines
Animal Care Diagnostic Techniques
Getting Started in Business

Student experience

Michelle Toal has had a keen interest in animals from a young age.

After studying a pathway course in Animals and Biological Sciences, she progressed to an HND in Animal Care.

"The practical skills I learned at SRUC helped give me a better understanding not only of animals, but also of the environment and how it affects them," she said.

Her work experience at places like Five Sisters Zoo and the SSPCA offered a great mix of working with domesticated, wild and agricultural animals.

Michelle is now continuing her studies on a degree course with the University of the West of Scotland.

"The practical skills I learned at SRUC helped give me a better understanding not only of animals, but also of the environment and how it affects them."

Michelle Toal, HND Animal Care graduate

Meet the lecturer

Karyn Grassick

Karyn has been a lecturer in Small Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing since 2006. Prior to this Karyn worked in veterinary practice in the Aberdeen area. As a qualified veterinary nurse Karyn does miss life in practice however is passionate about passing on knowledge to those who want to follow a career in caring for animals.

In 2021 Karyn is hoping to travel with Aberdeen campus students to Africa to take part in a 2 week work placement.

Read my full profile

Isla Brown RVN

Isla joined SRUC in 2014. She began her career in Veterinary nursing, qualifying in 1999. She then opened one of the first Canine Hydrotherapy centres in Scotland in 2003 and won a young entrepreneur award from the Prince's Trust (PSYBT).

From self-employment to Education, Isla joined the Veterinary Nursing and Animal Care department at Edinburgh’s Telford College in 2006. It was here that she realised her passion for teaching. One of her main aims when becoming a Veterinary Nurse was to help people help their animals. Isla’s main focus is on the mental health and wellbeing of her students and delivering her lessons in a meaningful and impactful way.

Wendy Rattray

A lecturer since 2016, Wendy holds an RVN A1

Wendy Rattray qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 1992. After training at a PDSA Clinic in Manchester, she returned home to Aberdeen where she worked in a private practice before joining the world of teaching in 2011.

Wendy has helped to develop our training materials across the Animal Care curriculum, and delivers theory and practical classes. She has also been known to bring her own pets for you to work with!

Heidi Douglas

For the last 15 years I have been working as an Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing Educator in Aberdeen.

I qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2001 and, after being in practice for ten years, changed careers and started out as an instructor with Aberdeen College. Although I find myself missing being in practice, I love being able to share my knowledge on all aspects of caring for animals with others. I am also currently completing an MSc in Veterinary Education.

In my spare time I volunteer for the BVNA as a regional rep organizing CPD events and enjoy nothing more than walks with my family and my dogs.

Fees and funding

Eligible full-time students studying HND Animal Care should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees & funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: There are a number of bursaries available to care-experienced students studying full time. Find out more from our student funding teams at: registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Discretionary fund
- SAAS student bursary
- Care Experienced Accommodation Grant
- Childcare
- Going further bursary
- RUK bursary (for students from outside Scotland)
- The Gregor Thomas Royan Lamb Bursary for Future Farmers
- Centenary bursary
- Change your path bursary

HND Animal Care

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