Level 3 Award in Farm Animal Studies (RQF)

The Level 3 Award in Farm Animal Studies (RQF) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification awarded by SEG Awards that provides structured, formally recognised knowledge in farm animal health, welfare, nutrition, accommodation, management, and the legislative framework governing livestock keeping in the UK. It is delivered entirely online through Learnirect's distance learning platform and assessed through tutor-marked written assignments, with no external examinations. It sits at Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, the same level as an A-Level.

No. The course has no formal entry requirements. It is open to anyone aged 16 or over who has an interest in farm animal care, regardless of whether they have formal qualifications or practical farming experience. Some learners come from agricultural backgrounds and are seeking a formal credential to recognise their existing knowledge; others are approaching the subject for the first time. The course is written to be accessible to new learners while providing sufficient depth to add genuine value for those with practical experience.

The course covers the main commercial livestock species in the UK agricultural sector: cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry are addressed extensively in both units, with additional reference to goats and other common livestock species. The health and welfare unit examines disease, health checking, and welfare assessment across all these species. The management, nutrition, and legislation unit addresses nutritional requirements and accommodation needs across the major species groups. Learners develop a broad, cross-species knowledge base rather than specialising in a single species.

The course covers the primary statutory frameworks governing farm animal welfare in England and the UK more broadly, including the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations, and the species-specific codes of practice issued under these. Movement traceability requirements – including the Cattle Tracing System and Electronic Identification for sheep and goats – are addressed, as are medicine recording obligations. The requirements of major voluntary farm assurance schemes, including Red Tractor, RSPCA Assured, and Soil Association organic certification, are also examined. Learners gain a practical, applicable understanding of the regulatory environment rather than purely academic legal knowledge.

The course is fully self-paced. Most learners complete both units in three to six months, studying a few hours per week. There is no maximum time limit – if you work full-time in agriculture and can only study in the evenings or at weekends, you can spread your study over a longer period. Once enrolled, you have full access to all materials and your personal tutor from day one, with no fixed deadlines imposed.

Assessment is entirely by tutor-marked written assignment. There are no timed examinations. For each of the two units, you submit a written assignment online that demonstrates your understanding of the learning outcomes for that unit. Your tutor provides written feedback on each submission. If any element of your work requires further development, you have the opportunity to resubmit. Both units must be satisfactorily completed to receive the SEG Awards Level 3 certificate.

Yes. SEG Awards is an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation and the Level 3 Award in Farm Animal Studies is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. This Ofqual-regulated status means the qualification carries genuine academic and professional credibility. Employers in farming, livestock management, veterinary practice, and agricultural support services recognise Level 3 RQF qualifications as evidence of substantive, formally assessed knowledge. The qualification also provides a strong foundation for progression to higher-level agricultural qualifications.

Unit 1 develops a thorough grounding in what constitutes good health in farm animals and how to recognise and respond to disease and welfare problems. It covers the physiological indicators of health (temperature, pulse, respiration, body condition), systematic health-check procedures for major livestock species, common diseases and their clinical presentations across cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, biosecurity principles, and farm animal welfare assessed through the Five Freedoms framework. Learners develop the knowledge needed to identify health and welfare concerns and understand when veterinary intervention is appropriate.

Unit 2 extends the qualification's coverage into applied management practice and the regulatory environment. It addresses the nutritional requirements of different farm animal species, common feed ingredients and ration formulation principles, nutritional disease prevention, accommodation requirements and housing design, routine husbandry procedures, and the comprehensive legislative framework governing livestock in the UK – including the Animal Welfare Act 2006, welfare regulations, movement traceability, medicine recording, and farm assurance scheme standards. Learners develop an integrated understanding of the management, welfare, and compliance dimensions of livestock farming.

Yes – the course is ideally suited to people working in agriculture. All study materials are available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can study early mornings, evenings, or during quieter periods on the farm. There are no live sessions and no requirement to attend a college or training centre. Many learners find they can relate the course content directly to their day-to-day work, making the learning feel immediately relevant and applicable.

Yes. Learnirect offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all enrolments. If you enrol and decide within 30 days that the course is not the right fit for your needs, you can request a full refund. This gives you the opportunity to begin studying and evaluate the content, platform, and tutor support before making a full financial commitment.