Rural Animal Veterinary Technology

New Zealand Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology (Level 6)

This new, two-year programme is replacing our one-year New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) (Rural Animal Technician). 

It’s been designed to make the training pathway clearer and more industry-relevant, and recognises the level of skill and knowledge required to become a Rural Animal Veterinary Technician. 

This programme focuses on farmed commercial species.

Amongst other things, you’ll learn about animal functional anatomy and physiology; animal behaviour; veterinary microbiology and infection control; pharmacology; animal husbandry; first aid and emergency processes; animal nutrition; veterinary diagnostic procedures; wound physiology and bandaging; rural technical and surgical nursing skills. 

You’ll also complete 750 hours of work placement. 

You’ll graduate with the technical knowledge/skills you need to perform this role and will have a high level of responsibility, allowing you to operate in a wide range of dynamic settings. 

You’ll be able to apply for registration on the New Zealand Register of Allied Veterinary Professionals. 

To widen your career options, you could undertake higher-level study at the end of this programme. Plans are underway to develop a third year to allow graduates of this programme to complete one further year of study to obtain a bachelor's degree – watch this space! 

Location

Online with some face-to-face teaching

Available for international students?

No, this programme is only available for domestic learners

Start

Feb 2023

Duration

2 years (full-time); 4 years (part-time) 

Entry requirements

• 42 credits at NCEA Level 2 with some minimum requirements in literacy, numeracy and science.
• IELTS 6.0 (no band score lower than 5.5) from one test completed in the last two years, or equivalent.

Please note: Entry requirements have not been confirmed so this is just a guide. 

Fees

To be confirmed

Fees Free 

This programme will be eligible for Fees Free. If you're a domestic student and this is your first time studying in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get free tuition fees for the first year of this programme. This funding doesn't include additional costs or living costs. 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.

NZQA consultation 

Whilst the Te Pūkenga review is ongoing, this qualification has reached a stage where it is listed with NZQA and we're finalising it for approval. You can find this qualification on the NZQA website here.

This programme will run subject to minimum numbers.