Are you passionate about animals and love caring for them? The UCOL | Te Pūkenga Vet Nursing and Animal Care programme will provide the skills required for you to enter the industry.
New Zealand is home to nearly five million pets. Close to 65% of the household considers pets part of their family and seeks companionship, love and affection from them. To keep our furry friends healthy and happy, we need skilled and loving vet nursing and animal care professionals.
At UCOL | Te Pūkenga, you can harness your love for animals by gaining the skills, knowledge and experience you need to take care health and well-being of companion animals. You will learn about the health, behaviour, regulatory requirements and industry codes to practice animal care. In addition, you will learn from experienced lecturers and work on real animals and practice at animal care centres during your studies at UCOL | Te Pūkenga. Our Graduates are approved to work at BESTPractice™ accredited veterinary clinics.
You can select from a diploma or certificate or try our Academy programme if you are in school. Explore more about the options, and feel free to talk to us!
Vet Nursing and Animal Care
Vet Nursing and Animal Care
Diplomas
Level 6
Duration: This course is only available for graduates of the NZ Certificate in Animal Technology (Vet Nursing Assistant) level 5 or equivalent vet nursing qualification.
1 year full-time (41 weeks)
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb & Jul 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 6
Duration: 2 years, full-time
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North
Certificates
Level 5
Duration: 1 year full-time (41 weeks)
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb & Jul 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North
Level 3
Duration: 20 weeks full-time
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)
Start:
Feb & July 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North & UCOL | Te Pūkenga Wairarapa in Masterton
Level 3
Duration: One semester full-time – blended learning format
Start:
Jul 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Wairarapa in Masterton
Level 4
Duration: 1 year, full-time
Start:
Feb & Jul 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North
In School (programmes for current secondary school students)
Level 3
Duration: 2 days per week for 9 months
Start:
Feb 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North
Duration: One day per week over two weeks (Friday).
Start:
Aug & Nov 2023
Location: UCOL | Te Pūkenga Manawatū in Palmerston North, UCOL | Te Pūkenga Whanganui