New Zealand Certificate in Animal CareCompanion Animals

Credits 70 (0.583 EFTS)

Campus Mt Albert

Career opportunities

• Animal minder in a range of animal facilities

• Boarding kennel or cattery attendant

• Pet shop assistant

• Wildlife rehabilitation aide

• Facility assistant for SPCA

• Pet supply sales representative

• Entry into further study at certificate or diploma level

Highlights

• Prepare to work in a range of companion animal workplaces. Develop a comprehensive understanding of animal husbandry, essential communication skills and professional capabilities.

• Get qualified for higher-level study. This programme provides a pathway for further study in a range of animal-related programmes at Unitec.

• Practical, applied learning and work experience. You’ll get a hands-on introduction to animal care in 10 hours of on-site practical training at Unitec’s Behaviour and Husbandry Centre, Te Puna Kararehe. You’ll also complete 48 hours of placement experience at an approved external facility.

• Learn from the best. passionate teaching staff who are experts in their fields and work closely with industry.

Start dates February (part-time), June (full-time, with online and block courses)

Duration Part-time over one year. Full-time for 19 weeks.

Annual fees $3,870 (NZD) (Approximate domestic fees only. Includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee levy)

This certificate is designed for those passionate about the care and welfare of companion animals. Whether you’re straight out of school, currently working with animals or thinking about a career change, it’s a great place to start your professional career.

Programme overview

This programme covers all aspects of animal care including health, hygiene, behaviour and handling. It'll give you the applied knowledge and skills to care for a wide range of companion animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and birds, in a variety of settings like your home, pet shops, kennels and catteries.

Choose from one of two study options, depending on what works best with your schedule:

• Part-time study (evening classes). This is the best ‘work and study option’. You’ll attend 2 x 3-hour night classes each week from February to November. Classes will be on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

• Full-time study (online + block courses). Keen to move into higher-level animal study? Get qualified in 19 weeks by studying full-time over one semester from late June to November.

Blended learning

This study option is full-time and you’re required to attend two compulsory block courses at our Mt Albert campus. You need to attend all block courses, exams, practical assessments and work experience, as well as complete your self-directed study (research, reading, revision) and assessment writing. You’ll also need consistent access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, and appropriate office software i.e. Microsoft Office which we’ll provide once you’re enrolled.

Admission requirements

For this programme, you’ll need:

Academic

1. NCEA Level 1, with strengths from the Vocational Pathway Primary Industries sector

2. 8 credits at NCEA Level 1 in English

If you don’t meet the academic criteria, we have a range of programmes that will help you prepare for study

English

If English is not your first language, you’ll need one or more of the following:

• Achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University Entrance

• Provide evidence that you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency such as IELTS

• Achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

If you don’t meet the English criteria, we have a range of English Language programmes available.

There are additional English requirements for international students – you can find more information on our website.

Other options

If you don’t meet these requirements, you could apply for special or discretionary admission.

For more information download the programme regulations: unitec.ac.nz/animals

International Students, please visit unitec.ac.nz/international