Animal Courses Direct Reviews 

Been waiting almost 9 months for my certificate. Was told in October 2024 it would be another 4 weeks at most and hopefully sooner. When that time was up I was told the timelines are just estimates...

I still do not have my certificate now January 2025. I even contacted my courses awarding body (Gatehouse Awards) on multiple occasions and they couldn't help me either. Seeing the reviews of those who have waited even longer than me does not fill me with hope. I'm honestly so lost, it has really slowed down my career plans massively.

Please everyone save your money. They are closed from access from my awarding body (my SAR revealed) and you clearly don't get the e-certificate which is part of what you pay for. It isn't worth the effort, stress and uncertainty either.

Animal courses please please give people their certificates or their money back.

I've not even started yet and the reviews are fully putting me off.
The fact that the course provides only replies to "positive" reviews...red flag.
The numerous people who have nothing to show for their money spent, YEARS (in some cases) and still have no certification...reddest of flags.
I don't know who the awarding body is yet, but if I had to guess, they won't be anyone employers respect.

When I spoke with the person on the initial phone call, he let me know that the course I'm interested in costs £1,200, but they don't help with finding work during or after the course and he seemed nonplussed by me saying I'm not working currently and to pay that price, I'll have to starve myself for 6 months, til I pass and hopefully find work straight away...which, let's be real about, is NOT happening straight away most likely.

Yeah, this seems like a major scam, and a real shame that they don't genuinely want to help people.

Now I'm going to be looking into how to stop them ripping more people off, starting with this review.

Almost 2 years on since my daughter completed a course and still no certificate to prove it! When I chased it up we were sent an email to show as evidence of completion but nothing else since!! We were told of the delays being experienced but this is ridiculous now! Needs reporting to trading standards I think

Avoid at all cost. Absolute scam.

Do NOT apply.

THIS IS A SCAM!
I paid my course in full in January, I completed all the modules by April and on May 21st I received an email stating I could book onto the course. The course is a third party providing (BIG RED FLAG) and I am still waiting to hear from them and be able to book in. I have contact animal courses direct and they have just given me a 6 month extension on my course as a result of below standard service.... I WANT A REFUND. I have emailed, tried to phone, asked for their address which one employee said they don't have an address as they are online. I have sent a letter as advised to formally address my concerns and my request for a refund, it was recorded delivery and it got sent back with a label 'not at this address' so their website is wrong and the employees won't give you an address. Their telephone number didn't work that the chat employee gave to me and their email response is incredibly slow.

Very good service , lots of information given easy to sign up and can’t wait to get started

Columbo was so amazingly helpful, he answered all my questions. He was so informative on the call and the conversation was so helpful. I’m so grateful and excited for my next journey with the courses!

I finished my Level 3 Diploma in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare in March 2023. In October 2024 (19 months later), I am still to receive any kind of certification to act as proof for the all the hard work I put in.

This has been galling on a personal level as this was my first experience of studying since my GCSEs over 20 years ago and although I enjoyed the process of learning again, the way I have been subsequently treated has soured the entire experience for me. It has also left me short of an adequate certified qualification when applying for work in a new and already competitive sector.

I have written countless emails and made numerous phone calls but am yet to receive any form of explanation or adequate apology from anybody at Animal Courses Direct.

To have been treated with such disregard and to have experienced such terrible customer service has been genuinely upsetting. 19 months is not a mere clerical error and I am beginning to believe that the course from Animal Courses Direct is, at best, uncertified and at worst, a scam.

This mess has to be resolved soon otherwise I shall have to seek council from the citizen's advice bureaux and commence proceedings through the small claims court to reclaim my fees.

Had a lovely interaction with my agent called Aaron. He was really eager to help me get my courses started and extremely friendly. He answered all my questions extremely quickly. He was extremely understanding of my situation and even helped me get a discount due to my circumstances.

I am now enrolled on the Access to Higher Education in Veterinary Science and have already completed my first module. I am really excited for complete this course, as it truly involves actual hard work and support for starting your university application and past that.

I believe this course will truly get me ready to apply for a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Medicine once achieving the adequate grades. I truly recommend this service and thank Aaron and the team for giving me this opportunity to complete my life long dream of pursuing this career, especially after being unable to sit my A-Level exams earlier this year due to medical issues.

Only thing that I do not like is that it does take a little bit to get your assessment reviewed and graded, but that’s understandable as a tutor has to manually review and this gives me time to start my other assignments whilst waiting.

I will update this review after completing the course and give you a true rundown of how the course went.

Eloise my placement advisor was amazing , she helped me secure my placement when I was beginning to lose hope , very helpful lovely lady.
Becky

I had a great experience working with Columbo. He was incredibly friendly and took the time to explain everything to me in detail, which I really appreciated. His professionalism and clear communication made the entire process smooth. Highly recommend his work!

Very good and clear communications from Columbo Bew. A very knowledgeable and friendly customer service from him. He was able to answer all our questions. He was also patient enough to talk us through the registration process.

Very good course content and easy to use portal. However, communication is awful. Despite emails, contact via social media no-one has been in touch to give me the results etc. When I used the virtual chat, the person shut me down and told me to ring with a smiling emoji. Really rude. Lots of reviews saying the same so buyer beware. Very poor experience which is a shame as I had intended to do more as the content was good. I shall be looking elsewhere.

Still received my L6 diploma certificate after 7 months. Every time I try and get in touch with these people, they shut down communications or pass the book to their parent company 'learndirect'. It's now costing me money as I have no proof of my L6 to show my clients and gain future work opportunities. VERY BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!! I've since found out these cowboys have not submitted my work to AIM qualifications, so no wonder it's not been marked, I found out this information by going direct to AIM qualifications

Completed the Level 4 Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Dog Day care and Boarding on 1st December 2023, nearly 9 months ago, and have yet to receive any certification whatsoever. I would have been better off throwing my £400 on the fire, at least I would have had some ashes to show for it, unlike what I've got to show for completing this course - nothing!

All they keep doing is fobbing me off with 'we are experiencing unprecedented delays', this isn't good enough. Someone, somewhere must be able to look up my name and see where I am on some sort of list of courses waiting to be marked, but no-one is taking any responsibility. So we are expected to just wait and wait and wait, for how long? Nobody knows! Possibly forever?!

I will be writing a formal complaint this afternoon to see where that gets me.

This has had a massive impact on my business prospects, my mental health and someone needs to be held accountable.

If I could rate 0 I would. I cancelled my course within my 14 day period where I was entitled to a refund. It’s been 8 weeks and I’ve been chasing this refund continuously, I’ve been told it’ll be in my account in 30 days and it wasn’t, that was 4 weeks ago. Get no answer on their email or phone. Scam of a company!!!
They owe me £400

I recently completed The Canine care, Welfare and Behavior Diploma course, and i must say, i am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the content.
The modules were engaging and informative. The support provided by my tutor Karen was exceptional. However, my one issue was with the communication from the administration upon completing the course. I found it difficult to get a clear information about the certification process and had some delays in receiving my diploma. Improved communication in this area would greatly enhance the overall experience for students. Despite this minor hiccup, i would highly recommend this course.Thank you for offering such a valuable experience!

Jake was super helpful and encouraging! Was really nice to be able to talk through the process over the phone; I am very excited to begin my course!

I really do not recomend this school at all. I payd deposit for my studies, after two weeks i was kicked out of lerning program with out any explanation.When try finde out what is wrong each department i write , sending from one to other.
Problem is with school banck sistem wich they cannt solve a problem. Taken mony but no studies to give and no help at all.Two month have to prove i was a student of there school. Really decepointing and do not recomend this school. in the begining talking very promising takes money and then blocks you as a stranger never exist.

Completed course in October last year.
Still no certificate,no proof of completion,missed job opportunities.
I received funding of 1,600 to complete the animal welfare officer diploma.
I have no proof to show I've done it to provide the charity they have scammed.
A prime example of level of service can expect from this company,a timely response.... personally I'd avoid the entire experience was a trauma from.start to finish.
I don't know how can call it in any way customer service.