International Students

international grooming courses
Groom your future in the uk

Learn Professional Dog & Cat Grooming in London, UK

Absolutely Animals welcomes students from around the world and offers practical training in a real working salon environment, with flexible course schedules throughout the year.

Why International Students Choose Absolutely Animals

We offer flexible course dates throughout the year, making it easier for international students to plan their training around travel arrangements, visa requirements and personal commitments.

Our small class sizes allow students to benefit from personalised tuition, individual feedback and dedicated support from experienced instructors throughout their learning journey.

Training takes place in a real grooming environment, providing valuable hands-on experience with both dogs and cats and helping students develop practical skills and confidence from day one.

Students learn from internationally award-winning tutors who bring extensive industry knowledge, competition success and professional expertise to every course.

We offer recognised City & Guilds qualification pathways, helping students gain respected credentials that can support future career opportunities both in the UK and internationally.

Our courses are suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced groomers looking to expand their knowledge, improve their techniques or gain additional qualifications.

After training, students can benefit from career guidance and advice on employment opportunities, professional development and establishing their own grooming business.

Absolutely Animals welcomes students from around the world, creating a diverse learning environment and providing international students with the opportunity to train alongside fellow groomers from a variety of backgrounds and countries.

why train with us

Planning Your Trip

Before booking your training, it’s important to choose the course that best suits your goals and experience level. Whether you are looking for an introductory course, specialist cat grooming training or a professional qualification, our team can help you select the right option.

The length of your stay in the UK will depend on the course you select. Some students visit for just a few days, while others choose to stay for several weeks to complete more advanced training programmes and qualifications.

Many of our courses can be completed on a full-time basis, allowing international students to make the most of their time in the UK. Depending on your chosen programme, there may also be flexibility to tailor your training schedule to your individual needs.

Previous grooming experience is not always required. We offer courses suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced groomers who wish to develop new skills, gain recognised qualifications or expand their service offerings.

The qualification or certificate you receive will depend on the course you complete. We offer a range of training programmes, including pathways leading to recognised City & Guilds qualifications that are respected throughout the grooming industry.

Visa and entry requirements vary depending on your nationality and the length of your stay. We recommend checking the latest UK Government travel and visa guidance before making any travel arrangements to ensure you have the correct permissions for your visit.

Accommodation is another important consideration when planning your trip. We have compiled a selection of local accommodation options, including hotels, guest houses, serviced apartments and Airbnb properties, to help you find a suitable place to stay during your training.

Travel & Getting Here

Airports Near Us

Absolutely Animals is conveniently located in South East London and can be reached from all of London’s major international airports by train, taxi or public transport. The distances below are approximate road distances and may vary depending on your route.

London City Airport (LCY)

Approximately 10 miles (16 km) away. London City Airport is the closest airport to the academy and is often the most convenient option for students travelling from Europe. Typical journey times are around 20–35 minutes by car.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Approximately 28 miles (45 km) away. Heathrow is London’s largest international airport and offers the widest range of long-haul flights. Journey times are typically between 60 and 90 minutes depending on traffic and transport connections.

London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

Approximately 38 miles (61 km) away by road. Gatwick is a popular choice for both European and international travellers and can be reached in around 60–90 minutes by car or public transport.

London Stansted Airport (STN)

Approximately 40 miles (64 km) away by road. Stansted serves a large number of international and low-cost airlines, with typical journey times of between 60 and 90 minutes depending on traffic and transport connections.

Lee railway station is located just a short walk from the academy, providing convenient rail connections to central London and onward transport links from all major airports.

Train station Near Us

Lee Station is the closest train station to Absolutely Animals and is just a 4 minute walk down to the salon, making it incredibly convenient for students travelling from across London or arriving from the airports.

Regular services run from Lee to central London including London Bridge, Waterloo East, Charing Cross and Cannon Street, with typical journey times of 20-30 minutes. This makes it easy to explore the city, enjoy local attractions and make the most of your time while you study.

Get directions from Lee Station

train-station

Ready to Start Your Grooming Career?

Speak with our team!

  • Discuss the best course for your goals.
  • Tell us where you’re travelling from.
  • We’ll help you plan your training dates and accommodation.

What our Customers say...

Groomed dog
Review by Colin 2024

"A massive thank you to you for another immaculate groom. Bella looks amazing! Great job." ~ Colin For privacy reasons I have not included the customers surname. Thank you for your feedback, Colin!
dog walking
Faye's Review From June 2023 With Ettie

This was an excellent 2-day course and has given me the confidence as well as vital information needed to start my own dog walking business. Christine is a fantastic tutor, friendly and approachable - and, of course, highly knowledgeable on her subject. Her dogs were a real pleasure to be around, adding another dimension to the course. Thank you again and your lovely staff member - Kay.
Customer Review
Review by Lorna

"Nicole groomed my Cavapoo after he had had a car accident. I was anxious about how he would cope. But he came out full of beans and looking good. Absolutely Animals treated him (and me) with professionalism and real kindness." Lorna
Judge, beautiful cat review by Natasha Evans

"The ladies at the salon are absolutely fantastic. They take care of my 8-year-old cat Judge, he can be very grumpy and is prone to matts. The ladies do an amazing job with him, and a lot of the time they're able to simply brush out the matts to avoid clipping him. I highly recommend the team, they're knowledgeable and are happy to share their knowledge with you as an owner as well to try and help avoid issues going forward. Always feel comfortable leaving him with them" - Judge's owner, Natasha Evans
Dominika Ludwig

"Always a beautiful groom." 2023
Ozzie the Cat

Hi, we booked our Birman cat, Ozzie in with this company on Saturday 22/04/2023, and we must say how efficient, and very understanding they were after explaining that Ozzie was a rescue cat and had suffered an accident where he had to have a pelvic operation before we rescued him. After grooming dogs in my younger days, I was very apprehensive about taking him because of his history. I couldn't groom him properly, and it got to the stage where I had to get him groomed professionally. After having a consultation with the Kay & the girls and them explaining how they were going to go about grooming him, as he doesn't tolerate being brushed very well, we left him with the girls, feeling re-assured about how they would handle him. I was very nervous on going back to collect him, but to my great relief I need'nt of worried. Ozzie looked fabulous and seemed so calm after collecting him. We are definitely using this company again, and we'll re-book him to go back as discussed in 8 weeks. H
2023 Cat Review by Suzanne

"Absolutely Animals are amazing!! I really can't recommend them highly enough. When my mother passed away, one of her dying requests was for me to look after her beloved cat. When I flew to Canada, I found the poor animal was in a terribly matted state. The kind people at Absolutely Animals took care of her and even found her a little jumper to wear home. They really did go beyond the call of duty and all at a very reasonable price. Thank you again for all your hard work." All the best Suzanne
Kate and Charlie Review

Just wanted to say how smart Charlie looks after his wash and cut. He obviously enjoyed it and is now knot free and sleeping on the sofa!! We will be back for more pampering many thanks to your team. -  Kate and Charlie
Review by Graham Watson

Have taken our rescue cat Ollie to AA twice this year for grooming as he is a large long haired tabby and needs lots of brushing. AA were brilliant, great service and very friendly and knowledgeable staff. - Graham Watson
Review by Alessia Stroni

"My cat Nyx is only about 4 months old now and she went in for a wet bath, conditioning, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. I am very pleased with the Absolutely Animals service! She smells very clean and her coat is shiny and fluffy. I will be going back in 8 weeks for another cleaning!" Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Responsiveness Alessia Stroni
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An International Award-Winning and industry leading pet grooming business providing exemplary grooming services to all dogs and cats, no matter their size.