City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants

Online theory learning will be complemented by practical training throughout the programme, giving trainee dog groomers the opportunity to gain confidence using professional dog grooming equipment to undertake a range of bathing and grooming techniques. Over the course of the qualification, you will cover how to:

• Prepare dogs for grooming
• Bath dogs
• Dry dogs for styling
• Trim and prepare dogs for styling
• Move and lift dogs
• Clean the grooming environment
• Understand professional practice
• Identify breed characteristics and behaviour

You will undertake written and practical assessments, as well as an online examination.

The next available start date is Wednesday 9 September 2026 at our Huntingdon and Leeds centres.

There are no formal academic requirements, we welcome applications from anyone who has a passion for working with dogs and can demonstrate a genuine desire to join the dog grooming industry.

Please note: As our courses include online learning components, students are required to have access to a PC or laptop with a reliable internet connection.

Course Fees
£1,995

Awarding Body Fees: £153

All students or employers are required to pay the awarding body fees in addition to the course fees. Please note that these are recharged at cost and may be subject to change.

CAW Loans2Learn
Course fees must be paid in full before the course begins. If you are unable to do so, we offer a personal loan scheme (Loans2Learn) that can help you to spread the cost into manageable monthly payments over a period of up to five years, subject to eligibility. It can be used to fully, or partially, cover your course fee (but does not cover any awarding body fees, such as enrolment and examination fees which are payable on top). More information can be found here.

The current rate of interest for a CAW Loans2Learn is 9%. Click on the calculator icon to calculate your monthly repayment options based on different repayment term lengths.

Example repayment - a Loans2Learn loan for the full course fee of £1,995 over 24 months would equate to monthly repayments of approximately £91 per month (please note this is an indicative price based on current fees and interest rates).

General Advice
Sources of financial help can be found on our student finance page. Before making any financial decision, it is recommended that you seek advice from an independent source, for example the Money Advice Service.

If you have not achieved your qualification by the planned end date detailed in your individual learning plan, continued support and course access is available by paying monthly direct debit payments, or applying for a supplementary or increased loan, until certification is achieved.

These are current figures and may be subject to change. The differences in course fees reflect the level of funding that is available as a result of government policies and priorities. These may be as a result of age, employment status, previous education achievements, or location for example, and are outside the control of The College of Animal Welfare.

Completion of this course will give you the practical skills and confidence to take your first steps into professional grooming, whether that’s working in a salon, supporting an established groomer, or growing your own client base by offering basic grooming services.

Many of our students go on to undertake the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming after this course, to learn more advanced grooming techniques enabling them to style and finish a range of dog breeds and work as a professional dog groomer.

No previous dog grooming experience is required to apply for this dog grooming course. It is designed, primarily, for those new to the industry who are passionate about working with dogs and want to develop practical grooming skills in a professional environment.

No, as a private further education provider fees are applicable to all students. We do have a Loans2Learn scheme that can help you to spread the costs of study into manageable monthly payments.

Yes. Practical training forms a key part of the programme, allowing you to develop confidence handling and grooming dogs in a realistic salon environment under tutor supervision.

You will gain experience handling a variety of breeds, coat types and temperaments to help prepare you for working in a professional grooming environment.

All students need to start with the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants course as City & Guilds will not accept registrations for the level 3 programme from those who have not already achieved the level 2 qualification.