New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Level 3)
Your first step towards an animal-related profession such as kennel and cattery management, pet grooming, wildlife management or education. Learn about companion animals (cats, dogs, rabbits and birds), their health, welfare and husbandry, anatomy, physiology, and low stress handling techniques.
We know full-time study isn’t always possible so we offer this programme part-time over one year (Feb start only). And, if you’ve never done tertiary study before, you might be able to get your tuition fees for free through the Fees Free scheme (but you’ll still need to pay additional costs for things like equipment).
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 – Companion Animal, Equine or Rural. We will offer Companion Animal and may also offer Equine and Rural.
You’ll learn about companion animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds); their health, welfare and husbandry (how to care for them); anatomy; physiology; and low stress handling techniques.
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.
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.
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.
*These programmes are all subject to final approval.
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. Te Pūkenga is building a national network of integrated learning that better meets the needs of learners, their whānau, employers and the community. It will give learners more choices and flexibility in what, where and how they learn.
We’re excited to be part of Te Pūkenga’s large-scale review of animal healthcare and veterinary nursing programmes. This programme is reaching the final stages of this review and is fully-recognised by NZQA.
It may mean that some of the below courses change slightly and we'll update this information as soon as we can.
| Course name | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Animal Care | 3 | 10 |
| Assist in maintaining the Animal Facility | 3 | 15 |
| Animal Husbandry | 3 | 15 |
| Applied animal behaviour, husbandry, handling and welfare | 3 | 15 |
| Assist with the maintenance of animal health | 3 | 15 |
Studying online
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).
Help is always on hand through our extensive support systems which include one-on-one tutor support and IT support.
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.
*In 2023, our whānau will be getting bigger as all Polytechnics across New Zealand come together under one organisation – Te Pūkenga. Te Pūkenga is building a national network of integrated learning that better meets the needs of learners, their whānau, employers and the community. We’re excited to be part of Te Pūkenga’s large-scale review of animal healthcare and veterinary nursing programmes. These programmes are reaching the final stages of this review, are fully-recognised by NZQA and are subject to final approval.
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 for July 2022 intake
There are no academic entry requirements but we prefer that you have:
- NCEA Level 1 science/biology OR equivalent
- computer skills equivalent to NCEA Level 1
- an understanding of the animal-related and veterinary industry
- observed in a veterinary clinic or animal facility
- a commitment to animal welfare.
You must have access to a computer, camera, video and the internet.
You must complete the enrolment pack including the health and tetanus declaration
You must take a copy of your current Criminal Convictions History to all animal related facilities when sourcing compulsory animal related facility work placements.
Please note: This programme isn't available to international students.
Additional documentation
Upon application you must supply certified copies of proof of identity, academic records, 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 ten working whether you have been accepted. All enrolments will be contingent on Criminal Convictions History.
Entry requirements for Feb 2023 intake
In 2023, our whānau will be getting bigger as all Polytechnics across New Zealand come together under one organisation – Te Pūkenga. Te Pūkenga is building a national network of integrated learning that better meets the needs of learners, their whānau, employers and the community. 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.
- IELTS 5.0 (no band score lower than 5.0) from one test completed in the last two years, or equivalent.
Please note: This programme isn't 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 ten working whether you have been accepted. All enrolments will be contingent on Criminal Convictions History.
Fees
Domestic fees
First year free with Fees Free
If this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be eligible to study this programme for free (this doesn’t cover additional costs - see below for these).
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website. There's an eligibility-checker tool where you can enter your National Student Number (NSN) to see if you’re entitled to funding. If you are, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you're enrolled to study with us.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Application
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.
