Animal Courses Direct Reviews 

Their representative did a credit check on me without asking for consent or even telling me! I only realised when they told me it was pending approval!!! Told them to refund the deposit I had already paid and cancel any application but still being chased by the credit company to provide further details and no refund 😡! Chargeback raised and reported to ICO. Don’t go near them! Oh and when you email them to the email in their terms it bounces back undelivered.

Holly made the process of applying to the relevant course very easy! Lovely manner, great customer service, explained clearly! Starter emails and course info come right through quickly! Will get stuck in asap! Much appreciated, friendly and professional, thank you! KAREN X

Holly was super helpful and informative and explained everything clearly

Holly was so helpful and encouraging. She explained the course in depth and helped me along the way as I had no idea what to do! Really good customer service and so friendly

I completed my course with Animal Courses Direct in May 2023. Despite sending repeated emails to studentsuccess.animalcoursesdirect.co.uk, I have received nothing but promises that my certificate is “at the final stages with the Awarding Organisation.” I still have no certificate and no concrete resolution.
This ongoing delay and lack of accountability is completely unacceptable. A school that cannot deliver its awarded qualifications cannot be considered a reliable educational provider. I deeply regret choosing this organisation and cannot recommend it to anyone seeking a trustworthy course or certificate.

I completed the Level 3 Diploma in Canine Care, Behaviour and Welfare (RQF) in March 2025 and paid extra for fast track marking so I could complete on time without penalty and now I've been left 8-months without confirmation of award or a certificate, and very little communication from the team that hasn't been off the back of my chasing this actively. I have had to keep chasing this up myself. I think I received one update early after completion that was sent by the team as a generic/automated message confirming the standard timeframe for receiving certificates- which has massively passed (I was told they'd be ready by end of August). Since then I feel like I have not received a straight answer from anyone regarding a timeframe. When asked directly I was eventually told it's likely to now be December due to delay at the awarding body. I have even reached out to the awarding body in attempt to verify what you've been saying is true, and that the hold up is with them- this remains unclear.

I am growing increasingly concerned about this, especially since recently reading some extremely negative reviews and unfortunately reading about how some people have received their certificates years after completion and some who never received them at all.

I have spent a lot of hard earned money on this programme and invested so much time managing it alongside a full time job and have nothing to show for it. I wish to seek employment and would need this certification to evidence my knowledge and skills as I am attempting a career change.

I wish to make a formal complaint but even that seems hard. I am having to leave a review in hope someone reaches out.

I hope someone from the company can appreciate my worries with kindness, empathy and understanding.

I completed my course with Animal Courses Direct and passed over 12 months ago. Then, out of nowhere, I was asked to resubmit evidence — despite already having passed! It’s now been 18 months since completing the course and I still haven’t received my certificate.

I’ve sent several complaints and tried to resolve this, but the company refuses to offer any refund or real help. The communication has been terrible, and I feel completely cheated out of my money.

Avoid this company — the service is unprofessional and incredibly disappointing.

Extremely helpful, explained everything in full and clearly.

Spoke to Holly about a query I had, she answered really quickly and was very helpful.

Very helpful!!

I received a call within an hour of first looking into my level 3 reptiles studies course by Holly Mitchell who was super friendly and helpful and really took the time to make sure I understand what the course entails/requires, what a legend

I had an advisor guiding me throughout the whole process.

Please avoid this company. I really do not know how they are still running. I never normally leave reviews but I feel people need to be aware. I have waited now over 2 years for my certification and they have now come back saying I need to do additional work.... really!!!! It has now got to the point I don't even want the certificate anymore and I just want my money back so I can complete my studies with a different company. All in all a course that was meant to be 2 years and I would receive my certificate within 12 weeks had now been 4 years all in all and I'm not any closer to getting my certificate. I have e mailed them many times and they take weeks to reply stating the same thing. I am looking to take it further to see where I stand. Please save your money

I completed my course In June 2024 and I still haven't received my certificate despite reaching out to the company many times. The information on the course was also incorrect in places and resources were missing, I had to contact them to have these rectified and again was met with communication issues, waiting many weeks for responses.

Also they advertised on their website that you should enrol before a certain date to make sure you get the discount, but when the date comes the countdown just starts again. It feels like a huge scam to me. How is this company accredited with Ofqual? Extremely unprofessional and preying on people who are trying hard to gain qualifications.

Received a phone call from Holly, she was very polite and helpful. We went through the details of the course and she helped me enroll immediately. She explained everything well and clearly

I had the lovely Holly Mitchell help me from start to finish!

I can’t thank her enough for the encouragement she gave me when I said I’m finally doing this for myself

Holly was helpful and had all the info I needed to make an informed decision

Very clear and informative

Holly was super helpful and accommodating, really thankful to have had signed on with her

I had the pleasure of speaking to Holly today about the dog grooming diploma and she was so helpful, answering any questions I had and making me feel very comfortable about the whole training process. She was very kind and is an asset to your company! Can’t wait to get started on this new journey! :)