In the UK, you can’t get a degree on the topic of domestic cats but you can obtain a Level 3 Diploma in Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare which is authorised by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and which is run by the Open College Network, West Midlands (and other authorities?).
This particular qualification requires 292 of guided learning hours to which I presume you have to add your own study hours. It is conducted online and the start date can be at your convenience. The course fee is £899 which is reduced to £650 for those who have completed the Feline Care, Behaviour and Welfare Award.
The diploma would be useful as a foundation course for people considering working in a boarding cattery, veterinary business, an animal shelter and so on. It might also be the start of a new career as a feline behaviourist. Feline behaviourists solve cat behaviour problems. Please note though that 99% of cat behaviour problems originate in human behaviour problems so you have to be a human behaviourist as well! I would suspect that the diploma is a stepping stone to perhaps a further qualification at a higher level if the student so desired.
It is Ofqual regulated and it meets the Higher Standard Animal Activities Licensing requirements. They say the qualification assists anyone who wants to work with cats in any profession within the animal care sector. You have to be over 16 years of age to start the course.
As it is online anyone, anywhere can take the course. The courses in the English language and therefore it probably would suit people living in Canada, United States, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Europe but that does not mean that many other interested people from many other countries might also wish to take part provided they have a sufficient grasp of the English language.
The course has eight units as follows: care of cats in catteries, handling and transportation, feline care, anatomy and physiology, evolutionary development of cats, behaviour and psychology, nutrition and laws concerning cats.
It is provided by the business Animal Courses Direct. You can visit their website by clicking here.
Compass Education Online also provide a diploma course on this subject. It is a diploma in feline studies costing £408.50. This is a level 2 course with 6 modules. International Cat Care also run an extensive list of online courses and events which are worth checking out.
