The College of Animal Welfare

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We Are CAW

Since 1989, we’ve been helping people turn their passion for animals into rewarding careers - and with over 30 years of experience under our belt, we’ve supported thousands of students to do just that!

Our values and history ›

Why Choose us?

Accredited with the Matrix Standard for IAG

CAW is an Apprenticeship training provider

Our students' views on studying with us

‘The best part of learning with CAW was the constant support and assistance of my distance learning tutor. I also very much enjoyed the variety of course materials, as well as access to the extensive online eLibrary’.

Alice G

Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care

'I passed the VCA Diploma with a distinction and considering I have not studied for 20 years, was incredibly proud. I think its testament to such fantastic distance tutoring and it has given me so much confidence. I have decided to continue my studies'.

Lucy

City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants

'Both the level 2 and 3 courses have been extremely helpful in building my knowledge and giving me the practical experience of dog grooming. The tutors are approachable and have encouraged me along the way, which has given me the confidence to set up and build my own dog grooming business'.

Lisa L

City & Guilds Level 2 and 3 Dog Grooming

'I liked the small class sizes which meant there was great tutor interaction which is very beneficial for students'.

John C

AAT Level 4 Diploma in Professional Accounting

'My personal tutor has been so amazing and so approachable if I have any concerns, no matter how small they may be'.

VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing - Companion Animal Pathway Student

Browse our courses

Discover a wide range of career-focused subjects — from veterinary nursing, dog grooming and animal care to leadership, coaching and education. Our qualifications, apprenticeships and online CPD courses support flexible learning and professional growth.

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Animal Care

Business Administration

Leadership & Management

Maths & English

Education and Training, IAG, IQA courses

Teaching, Assessment & Guidance

Veterinary Care

Veterinary Nursing

Success Stories

Congratulations to Thomas Pocock, who became our 500th VetSkill veterinary nurse apprentice to qualify in May 2025 and become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). This is a significant achievement not just for Thomas, but for the entire College, and we couldn’t be prouder. Thomas served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) during his training and said “Becoming a Registered Veterinary Nurse has been a proud moment in my military career. The skills taught throughout the apprenticeship will no doubt follow me around the world as I continue to care for military working animals’.

Congratulations to our student veterinary nurses who took the March 2025 VetSkill OSCEs (practical exams) – we are delighted to announce that all students (100%) passed! A special congratulations goes to Emma Nash and Isobel Lewis, who achieved the outstanding feat of passing all 12 OSCE stations on their very first attempt for the companion animal award. And a big congratulations too to Heather Davie for passing all 12 stations of the equine veterinary nursing OSCEs. Emma, Isobel and Heather will all receive one of the new VetSkill OSCE star awards badges.

Congratulations to Emily McGill, one of our student veterinary nurses, for her exceptional contribution to an award-winning initiative at Yorkshire Vets. Emily, as part of a team at Yorkshire Vets, won the prestigious RCVS Quality Improvement Champions Award as part of the RCVS Knowledge Awards 2024. This accolade was awarded in recognition of a remarkable initiative aimed at reducing the use of oxygen and volatile anaesthetic gases within their practice. Emily’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to quality improvement have been integral to the success of this initiative. Her work exemplifies the values we regard highly in our students: excellence, innovation, and a profound commitment to animal welfare and environmental issues.

Veterinary nurse student, Rheana Lala, was the recipient of the 2024 Laura Turnbull Bursary. She travelled to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Australia in 2025 to gain hands-on experience and help with the rehabilitation and release of injured wildlife. The experience has inspired her to apply for another volunteer programme, and she will be heading out to South Africa later this year to help at a Rhino orphanage!

Feature Feed

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VN Degree Ranked Best in UK!

For the second year running, the Middlesex University/The College of Animal Welfare collaborative BSc (Hons) Degree in Veterinary Nursing has been ranked Number One in the UK in the National Student Survey (NSS) results.

News

Are you wild about exotics? Join us at Wildlife and Exotics Congress 2024

We’re delighted to be hosting out next virtual Wildlife and Exotics Congress on Wednesday 16 October 2024. Join us virtually for 7 hours of specially curated CPD all about the care of wildlife and exotic[...]

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