New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3) (Companion Animals)
This programme is your first step towards an animal-related profession such as kennel and cattery management, pet grooming, wildlife management or education.
Domestic
July
About the programme
Start here for a fulfilling career working with animals.
This programme will give you an entry-level animal care qualification. It will also give you a taste of the wider range of animal-related qualifications available and allow you to get a feel for tertiary study before attempting a higher-level qualification.
It’s also a great first step if you want to enter an animal-related profession such as SPCA work, pet shop work or kennel and cattery animal care.
There are three different focus areas to choose from – we will the offer Companion Animal focus in 2023. We hope to offer Rural and Equine strands from 2024.
In the Companion Animal focus, you'll learn about the health, welfare, husbandry, anatomy, physiology, and low-stress handling techniques for animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits and birds.
Once you’ve completed the first course, you’ll need to organise access to animal-related facilities such as boarding kennels or catteries so you can do your 40-hour work placement.
You may also need to attend some in-person sessions during this programme (the venues for these are yet to be confirmed).
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer a one-year part-time study option. This option only starts in February.
*This programme is subject to final NZQA approval and will run subject to minimum numbers.
What You Study
Courses
In 2023, our whānau will be getting bigger as all Polytechnics across New Zealand come together under one organisation – Te Pūkenga. Because of this transition, this programme is in the final stages of review and is currently listed by NZQA.
It may mean that some of the below courses change slightly and we'll update this information as soon as we can.
Companion Animal Focus Area
Course |
Credits |
Companion Animal Professionalism And Infection Control |
15 |
Companion Animal Anatomy And Physiology |
15 |
Introduction To Companion Animal Husbandry And Behaviour |
15 |
Companion Animal Practicum 1 |
15 |
Companion Animal Health And Hygiene |
15 |
Companion Animal Clinical Assistance |
15 |
Companion Animal Preparation For Practice |
15 |
Companion Animal Practicum 2 |
15 |
Studying in 2023
We're a leader in the provision of online animal health education. You'll learn via online facilitated teaching sessions and discussion forums, as well as having access to online course resources and activities (written, audio and video).
However, in 2023 you may need to attend some in-person sessions. The venues for these are yet to be confirmed. Contact vetnursing@op.ac.nz for more information.
Health and Safety
You will be given full training to minimise all programme-specific risks. Examples of risks associated with this programme are lifting, animal bites and scratches, zoonotic diseases, computers, chemicals, sharp instruments, electricity, fire, and mercury thermometers. We recommend that your tetanus injection status is up-to-date to attend work-placements and handle any animals in this programme.
Further study options
When you successfully finish this programme, you could study our one-year New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4)* or the two-year New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing* or New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology* to widen your career opportunities.
*These programmes are subject to final NZQA approval and will run subject to minimum numbers.
Workload
Your workload
All study is highly-structured, guided and self-directed and you will need to have good time management skills. As a part-time student, you should typically aim for around 15 hours of study per week. A full-time student should typically aim for around 30-40 hours of study per week including work experience. You will be required to engage with the online resources and activities, and complete assessments and work placements.
Your work placements
You’ll need to complete a minimum of 40 hours of work placement time during this programme. These work placements must be sourced and managed by you.
You’ll need to organise access to animal-related facilities such as boarding kennels, catteries or regional SPCA’s (not veterinary clinics) once you have completed the first course. All work placements will ask to see a copy of your Criminal Convictions History report. This can be obtained free here.
Please note: Whilst you don't need to provide us with evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to study this programme, please be aware that some placement providers may ask you for this.
Entry
Entry requirements
In 2023, our whānau will be getting bigger as all polytechnics across New Zealand come together under one organisation – Te Pūkenga. We’re excited to be part of a large-scale review of animal healthcare and veterinary nursing programmes. This programme is reaching the final stages of this review, it’s fully recognised by NZQA and the below entry requirements are subject to final approval and are for the reviewed version of the programme (that will be offered from Feb 2023).
Open entry
- Health and tetanus declaration
- Copy of your current Criminal Convictions History.
- All applicants for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme (the IELTS requirements is 5.0 with no band score lower than 5.0 from one test completed in the last two years, or equivalent).
Please note: This programme is not available to international students.
Additional documentation
When you apply, you'll need to provide us with certified copies of proof of identity, academic records, and proof of residency (where appropriate).
Upon enrolment (once you have received an Offer of Place), you must complete the Enrolment Pack Declaration including health and tetanus status, and apply for a declaration of criminal convictions history. This can be obtained free from The Ministry of Justice.
Selection process
Once we receive your application, we'll let you know within 10 working days whether you have been accepted. All enrolments will be contingent on your Criminal Convictions History. Convictions of any kind may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.
Fees
Domestic fees
Fees Free
If this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you should be able to get free tuition fees for this programme.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
Additional costs
- Compulsory shirt - $40 (approx.)
- Compulsory name badge - $15 (pin-back) or $18.50 (magnetic)
- Photocopy and printing costs for personal work and assessments
- Travel, accommodation (if required) and food costs associated with attendance at animal facility work placements
- Health and Safety require closed-in shoes
- You will also need access to a digital camera and a video camera/phone that can record video footage.
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
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).
Application
Applying online and choosing your focus
When you click the blue apply button on the page, you'll be taken to our online application form.
Here you'll be able to select whether you want to apply for the Companion Animals focus or the Rural Animals focus.
If you have any questions about which focus you should choose, please email vetnursing@op.ac.nz
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.