Historic college site boosts animal and equine care courses

Animal lovers will be given a unique opportunity to make a career out of their passion thanks to a new range of courses launching this year.

Coventry University and WCG are working together to increase the number of courses in animal and equine sciences, therapies, training and more on offer at the historic Moreton Morell College.

The two education establishments have been working together since 2016 to provide a portfolio of courses, but they are now opening up the playing field for students who may not have achieved the grades they wanted or needed to attend University.

By offering the chance for potential students to start their studies through an Integrated Foundation Year, course organisers hope to provide more opportunities than ever to learn about what it takes to work with animals.

Rachael Kendall, head of department for land based studies at Moreton Morrell College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for an animal lover to really carve out a career for themselves in their chosen field.

“There is so much to learn and such a wide variety of roles to move into if you want to work with animals. So to be able to learn your trade at the incredible facilities at Moreton Morrell, while getting top level teaching and work place experience, would be fantastic for anyone looking to do so.

“We have decided to introduce the option for an integrated foundation year on these courses because opportunities to develop a career in this field are increasing but some students have previously been excluded from our traditional degrees due to not having the necessary experience or entry qualifications.

“The design of the new programmes allows students to have a springboard to accessing a full degree with the first two years working at a more supported pace.”

In total there will be nine new courses available with the integrated foundation year option, which will support students in the early stages of their studies through the development of a ‘learning toolkit’, whereby allowing students to gain work placements, carry out individual projects and build a portfolio of work from interviewing industry professionals and carrying out research into their chosen discipline.

The courses are delivered by WCG, one of the largest college groups in the country, at Moreton Morrell College, which is set in 750 acres of Warwickshire farmland and includes a working farm and a stable for over 100 horses.

Steve Taylor, Dean of Higher Education at WCG, said: “We believe that this is an excellent widening participation initiative, creating the opportunity for students who have not achieved sufficient tariff points or who do not have the appropriate subject underpinning in biological sciences, to join us at Moreton Morrell. 

“It is also an exciting move which creates opportunities for learners and utilises our well-established facilities.”

Coventry University, which validates the courses and will award the degrees to successful students, also stressed that the cost for the courses will not increase over a four year period and encouraged students who don’t receive a place on their course of choice to consider applying through clearing this coming August.

Sarah Baxter, Associate Dean for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at Coventry University, said: “This is another development that enhances the strong relationship we have built with WCG over the years.

“These courses are designed with input from industry experts to ensure students have the required skills and knowledge to be successful after graduation and we believe that for anyone looking to make a career out of working with animals, this is the perfect choice.”

A Land-Based Higher Education (Clearing) Open Event will take place at Moreton Morrell College on 18th August from 10am to 1pm.

Potential students can meet staff and look around resources, including the Equine Unit and Animal Centre and residential accommodation.