New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Level 4) (Pet Grooming)
Gain the skills and knowledge you need to become an entry-level dog and cat groomer. You'll need to organise access to a pet groomer so you can do a 240-hour work placement, which can be started after you complete the first course in the programme.
Domestic
Online
Dunedin
About this programme
As well as learning how to groom dogs and cats, you’ll learn about their health, welfare, behaviour and husbandry, anatomy, physiology, low-stress handling techniques which are integral to being an effective dog groomer.
You’ll need to organise access to a pet groomer so you can do a 240-hour work placement, which can be started after completion of the first course in the programme.
You will graduate with the technical knowledge and skills you need to perform this job under broad supervision, as well as effective teamwork and communication skills.
This qualification provides the skills for an entry-level dog and cat groomer. Following completion of this qualification you could work towards becoming a master dog groomer.
Block courses
Block course venue/s will depend on your location.
How you'll learn
This programme is delivered through what we call a ‘flexible facilitated’ format, which is a combination of online and in-person teaching, combined with a work placement.
You will study online and attend compulsory block courses.
This flexible approach means you will enjoy a varied course of learning and be supported by our staff both remotely and in person.
What You Study
Course list
- Introduction to professional skills and competencies in a pet grooming facility
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare
- Pet Grooming A – with a focus on looking after yourself as a groomer, hygiene, lifting and restraint, pre-grooming health assessment, bathing and drying dogs
- Pet Grooming B – with a focus on the use of maintenance of different grooming equipment and the techniques for grooming different coat types/animals
- Pet Grooming C – with a focus on bringing all the learning together as a an integrated process with a client.
- Pet Grooming work placement courses A and B – these consolidate the theoretical learning and associated practical skills in a workplace.
Workload
Your workload
Full-time: 35-40 hours per week
Part-time: 17-20 hours per week
Work placements
A total of 240 hours work placement is required over the duration of the programme. This will start after completion of the first course.
It could be completed as a regular weekly placement or as week-long blocks every 4-5 weeks. It is also possible to complete this programme while being employed.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- You must have one of the following:
- 40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits, or
- A recognised equivalent, or
- A relevant Level 2 qualification, or
- A recognised equivalent.
- If you're over 20 and do not meet the entry requirements, you are eligible for special admission, and we'll work through that with you.
- If you're under 20 and do not meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for discretionary admission, and we'll work through that with you.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, IELTS 5.5 (no band score lower than 5.0) from one test completed in the last two years, or equivalent.
Additional requirements
All applicants must complete a health declaration and declare any criminal convictions to ensure fitness to practice prior to being accepted into the programme.
Please note: Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude you from being able to study. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have the skills and work experience as a pet groomer, you could gain this qualification through our Assessment of Prior Learning Pathway (APL). With this option, you will develop a portfolio of evidence. It will show how you meet the requirements of the qualification.
Fees
Domestic fees
Equipment
The equipment you'll need for this programme will be discussed at the introductory session and is not required until after the first few weeks of the course. We can guide and support you in appropriate equipment selection.
Compulsory equipment:
- 2 pairs of grooming scissors (1x standard pair, 1 x thinning pair)
- Grooming apron
- Notes from the Grooming Table – Pocket Pal by Melissa Verplank
Recommended equipment:
- Clippers
- Notes from the Grooming Table 2nd Edition by Melissa Verplank
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
