Why Study / Key Benefits

• Designed for beginners who want to start working in the companion animal care sector.

• Develop practical skills to care for cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents and other small animals.

• Learn animal feeding, handling, health checks, behaviour, enrichment, hygiene and safe working practices.

• Understand animal welfare legislation, relevant industry codes of practice and ethical responsibilities.

• Gain practical experience through a placement in an animal-related facility. Students are expected to complete at least 40 hours of work placement.

• Build confidence in day-to-day animal care and learn to recognise normal and abnormal animal health and behaviour.

• Provides a pathway to further study in veterinary nursing and animal healthcare assisting.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The 70-credit qualification consists of five courses:

1. Introduction to Professional Skills when Working with Companion Animals – 15 credits

• Animal care in an ethical, legal and professional manner.

• Legislation and Codes of Welfare relevant to companion animal facilities.

• Interpersonal skills and professional competencies required in animal care facilities.

2. Introduction to Behaviour, Handling and Transportation for Companion Animals – 15 credits

• Identification of companion animal breeds.

• Methods for identifying individual animals.

• Safe animal handling and restraint.

• Basic animal training and transportation techniques.

3. Introduction to Form, Function and Preventative Health for Companion Animals – 15 credits

• Basic anatomy and physiology of companion animals.

• Identification of anatomical structures and their functions.

• Preventative health practices.

• Hygiene and measures to maintain animal health and wellbeing.

4. Introduction to Husbandry for Companion Animals – 15 credits

• Animal husbandry and welfare.

• Basic reproduction and parturition.

• Care of newborn animals.

• Basic first aid for companion animals in emergency situations.

5. Companion Animals Practicum – 10 credits

• Professional and ethical behaviour in an animal care team.

• Daily feeding, handling and husbandry.

• Routine animal health procedures.

• Maintaining animal welfare in a companion animal facility.

• Applying health and safety, legal and welfare practices.

• Practical experience in an animal-related facility.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme focuses on companion animal care rather than offering separate formal specialisations. Its main subject areas are:

• Companion animal behaviour and handling.

• Animal welfare and professional practice.

• Animal anatomy, physiology and preventative health.

• Animal husbandry, reproduction and basic first aid.

• Animal care facility operations and practical care.

Programme Highlights

• NZQA-approved Level 3 qualification.

• Beginner-friendly programme for students interested in animal care.

• Blended delivery with face-to-face, online and practical learning.

• Animal handling laboratory facilities at UCOL.

• At least 40 hours of work placement in an animal-related facility.

• Practical learning in animal handling, feeding, husbandry, welfare and routine health procedures.

• Industry connections with animal care establishments and the Veterinary Nursing Educational Standards Committee (VNESC).

• UCOL strongly recommends 100% attendance to optimise students’ chances of success.

Career Outcomes

UCOL identifies potential work settings for graduates, including:

• Pet stores.

• Animal rescue centres.

• Pet grooming businesses.

• Animal boarding and training facilities.

• Animal recreation businesses.

• Companion animal care settings.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• UCOL’s current listing advertises February and July 2027 intakes.

• The 2027 international tuition fee is NZD $16,320.50 for the published semester.

• Students are expected to complete at least 40 hours of work placement in an animal-related facility.

• UCOL strongly recommends 100% attendance.

• Students must be physically able to handle cats, dogs, rabbits and companion birds.

• A health declaration and criminal conviction declaration are required before acceptance.

• Students should prepare evidence of their highest academic achievement and evidence that they meet the entry requirements.

• UCOL states that verified documents may need to be provided in person, by post or by email rather than through the online application form.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning, may be requested where a student believes they have already met the learning outcomes. Applications are assessed case by case.

Additional programme costs:

UCOL estimates approximately NZD $85 in additional costs:

• Navy or black dress trousers (not jeans): NZD $40.

• Covered shoes, such as sneakers: NZD $15.

• Calculator: NZD $10.

• Stationery, including pens, pencils, ruler, notebook and paper: NZD $30.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand.

Main requirements:

• An offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or evidence of an eligible scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.

• Evidence of good health and good character.

• A genuine intention to study and comply with visa conditions.

• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket out of New Zealand.

• Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the required period.

• The offer of place should state the programme name, duration, full-time or part-time status and scheduled holidays where applicable.

Visa fee and processing:

• Fee Paying Student Visa application fee: from NZD $850.

• Immigration New Zealand currently lists 80% of applications as processed within 7 weeks.

• Processing times and application fees can change.

• Students are strongly encouraged to apply at least 3 months before their intended travel date.

• The visa may be granted for up to 4 years, but the actual visa period normally depends on the period of study paid for or passport expiry, whichever comes first.

Living-cost funds:

• For tertiary or English-language study lasting less than one year, Immigration New Zealand requires NZD $1,667 for each month of study.

• This is in addition to tuition fees and outward travel costs.

• The exact amount for this programme should be calculated using the dates and duration stated in the student’s offer of place.

• Acceptable evidence may include bank statements, an eligible education loan, fixed-term deposits, scholarship evidence, an acceptable sponsor or a financial undertaking.

• For applicants from India applying from South Asia, Immigration New Zealand states that only immediate family members can sponsor or provide a financial undertaking. Immediate family includes a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.

Tuition payment:

• Students generally need to show that they have paid the tuition fees for one course or one year of study, whichever is shorter.

• Applicants applying from outside New Zealand may request approval in principle before paying tuition fees. This can lengthen processing because evidence of payment must be provided before the visa is issued.

Work rights and visa conditions:

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work part-time for up to 25 hours per week while studying.

• Full-time work during scheduled holidays may be permitted depending on the conditions endorsed on the individual visa.

• Work rights are not automatic for every student; applicants must check their eVisa or visa approval letter.

• Students must attend their course and make satisfactory academic progress.

• The programme includes at least 40 hours of practical work placement. Immigration New Zealand states that required practical work experience forming part of a course is additional to the ordinary permitted employment hours, provided the student can show that it is a course requirement. Obtain written confirmation from UCOL and retain the course outline as evidence.

Health, character and insurance:

• Students must meet Immigration New Zealand’s health and character requirements.

• For stays longer than 6 months, a chest X-ray may be required depending on the applicant’s citizenship and recent travel history.

• A medical certificate is not normally required for stays of less than 12 months, but Immigration New Zealand may still request medical information depending on individual circumstances.

• Police certificates are generally required if the applicant is aged 17 or older and their total intended stay in New Zealand is 24 months or more, subject to applicable exemptions.

• Students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance from the start of the course until the visa expires.

Family members:

• A student cannot include a partner or dependent children in their own Fee Paying Student Visa application.

• Eligible family members may apply separately for visas based on their relationship to the student.