Why Study / Key Benefits

• Prepares students for a professional career in companion animal veterinary nursing.

• Develops practical clinical skills for caring for dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents and birds.

• Provides hands-on experience in assisting with surgery, anaesthesia, patient monitoring, diagnostic testing and medical nursing care.

• Includes supervised practical learning in animal-care facilities and veterinary clinics.

• Develops communication skills for working with animal owners, veterinary professionals and multidisciplinary teams.

• Offers access to specialist training facilities, including animal housing, practical handling rooms, mock surgery facilities, science laboratories and X-ray equipment.

• UCOL has industry connections with veterinary clinics and animal-health organisations, providing links to the profession.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains 240 credits and covers veterinary nursing theory, clinical practice, animal care and workplace learning.

Year 1 subjects:

1. Veterinary Nursing Practice – 15 credits

• Professional, safe and effective working practices in animal healthcare environments.

• Veterinary nursing responsibilities and professional conduct.

2. Anatomy and Physiology – 15 credits

• Basic animal anatomy and physiological systems.

• Animal health and welfare.

3. Animal Husbandry and Behaviour – 15 credits

• Safe animal handling and husbandry.

• Animal behaviour and welfare.

• Appropriate care of companion animals.

4. Companion Animal Practicum I – 15 credits

• Animal husbandry, hygiene and handling.

• Multidisciplinary animal-care teamwork.

• 125 hours of practical learning: up to 60 hours of campus simulation, at least 45 hours in an animal-care facility and at least 20 hours in a veterinary clinic.

5. Introduction to Anaesthesia and Analgesia – 15 credits

• Assisting with anaesthesia and pain management.

• Supporting safe patient care.

6. Introduction to Medical Nursing – 15 credits

• Caring for companion animals in veterinary clinics.

• Basic medical nursing procedures.

7. Introduction to Surgery and Diagnostics – 15 credits

• Understanding diagnostic procedures.

• Assisting with nursing care for routine surgical patients.

8. Companion Animal Practicum II – 15 credits

• Nursing care for surgical and hospitalised animals.

• 125 hours of practical learning, including campus simulation and at least 100 hours in a veterinary clinic.

Year 2 subjects:

9. Anaesthesia Management and Emergencies – 15 credits

• Managing nursing care for animals undergoing anaesthesia.

• Responding to animal emergencies.

10. Medical Nursing and Diagnostics – 15 credits

• Pathophysiology and pharmacology.

• Diagnostic procedures and medical nursing care.

11. Companion Animal Practicum III – 30 credits

• Nursing care for surgical and hospitalised animal patients.

• 250 hours of practical learning, including campus simulation and at least 180 hours in a veterinary clinic.

12. Surgical Nursing and Dentistry – 15 credits

• Nursing care for animals undergoing surgery.

• Veterinary dental procedures and patient care.

13. Imaging and Veterinary Nursing Services – 15 credits

• Diagnostic imaging.

• Veterinary nursing services within a multidisciplinary team.

14. Companion Animal Practicum IV – 30 credits

• Advanced nursing care for surgical and hospitalised animal patients.

• 250 hours of practical learning, including campus simulation and at least 180 hours in a veterinary clinic.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The diploma focuses on companion animal veterinary nursing. Its main areas of study include:

• Companion animal health and welfare.

• Veterinary nursing practice.

• Animal anatomy and physiology.

• Animal husbandry and behaviour.

• Anaesthesia and analgesia.

• Medical nursing.

• Surgical nursing.

• Veterinary dentistry.

• Diagnostic testing and imaging.

• Emergency care.

• Clinical practice and veterinary workplace experience.

Animals covered include:

• Dogs.

• Cats.

• Rabbits.

• Rodents.

• Birds.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 6 diploma.

• 240-credit qualification.

• Two years of full-time study.

• Four semesters, each 18 weeks long.

• Campus-based teaching and practical training.

• 750 hours of work-integrated learning across the four practicum courses.

• At least 500 hours of veterinary-clinic placement required.

• Practical experience with companion animals and veterinary procedures.

• Training in anaesthesia, medical nursing, surgery, diagnostics, dentistry and emergency care.

• Access to animal housing facilities, mock surgery, handling rooms, science laboratories and X-ray facilities.

• Industry connections include:

  • Veterinary Nursing Educational Standards Committee (VNESC).

  • Totally Vets.

  • Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services.

  • Cahill's Animal Hospital.

  • Pet Doctors Palmerston North.

  • Levin & Horowhenua Vets.

  • Robinsons Vet Clinic.

  • Animates Vet Care.

  • Gribbles Veterinary.

 

Career Outcomes

The qualification is designed to prepare graduates for work as veterinary nursing professionals in companion animal healthcare.

Potential employment settings include:

• Veterinary clinics.

• Veterinary hospitals.

• Companion animal healthcare facilities.

• Animal diagnostic and treatment environments.

• Organisations providing veterinary support services.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• UCOL's current programme page lists February and July 2027 intakes.

• The two-year diploma replaces the previous one-year New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Vet Nursing Assistant) for new students. Those older programmes are no longer offered to students who are not already on the relevant pathway.

Attendance and practical participation:

• UCOL requires 100% attendance at practical classes and work placements.

• Full attendance is strongly recommended for theory classes.

• Students must be physically able to complete the practical activities required in animal rooms and clinical placements.

• Students must be comfortable working with animals, animal body parts, body fluids and cadavers, including dissection activities.

Clinical placement requirements:

• At least 500 hours of placement in a veterinary clinic setting are compulsory.

• UCOL indicates that placements are likely to be outside the Manawat? region.

• Students may need to source an out-of-region placement in consultation with the Programme Leader.

• Students should budget for additional travel and accommodation.

• UCOL notes that not having a car or driving licence, having work commitments, or having animals to care for does not automatically give a student priority for a local placement.

Additional study requirements and costs:

• A watch for taking heart rates: approximately NZD $20.

• Calculator: approximately NZD $20.

• Stethoscope: approximately NZD $25–$200, required from the second semester.

• Required textbook: approximately NZD $150.

• Recommended textbooks: approximately NZD $250.

• Travel and accommodation costs vary depending on the placement location and arrangements.

• UCOL gives an example of petrol costs of up to NZD $80 or more for a 1600cc vehicle travelling 180 kilometres over five days.

• Accommodation options such as backpackers, homestays and student hostels may cost approximately NZD $50–$120 per night.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students enrolling in this two-year, full-time qualification will generally need an appropriate New Zealand student visa. The Fee Paying Student Visa is a relevant option for students paying international tuition fees.

Main requirements include:

• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider.

• Evidence of payment of tuition fees, ability to pay, or an applicable scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance.

• Evidence of good health and good character.

• Genuine intentions to study in New Zealand.

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

• Compliance with attendance and academic progress requirements.

For a course lasting more than one year, Immigration New Zealand advises applicants to provide a credible plan showing how they will fund subsequent years of tuition and living costs.

Living-cost funds:

• For tertiary study lasting one year or longer: NZD $20,000 per year.

• For this two-year programme, students should plan to demonstrate access to NZD $20,000 per year for living costs, subject to Immigration New Zealand's assessment.

• Prepaid accommodation may be deducted in accordance with Immigration New Zealand's rules.

• Living funds are separate from tuition fees and outward travel costs.

Visa cost and processing:

• Fee Paying Student Visa cost: from NZD $850.

• Immigration New Zealand states that 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks.

• The visa may allow a stay of up to 4 years, but the actual visa duration depends on the study period paid for, passport validity and the visa decision.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least 3 months before intended travel.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work during scheduled holidays may be allowed if the visa conditions permit it.

• Work rights are not automatic; students must check the conditions printed on their eVisa.

• Immigration New Zealand's conditions for full-time work during scheduled holidays include evidence that the course has a value of 120 credits and that the holiday dates are scheduled.

• This diploma is a 240-credit qualification, but students must still check their individual visa conditions and provide the required course and holiday information.

• Compulsory clinical placements that form part of the programme are treated separately from the ordinary work-hour allowance. Immigration New Zealand requires evidence that practical work experience is a course requirement.

Insurance:

• UCOL requires all international students to have acceptable medical and travel insurance.

• International students are automatically enrolled in UCOL's preferred Studentsafe insurance.

• The insurance cost is included in the Offer of Place.

• Students who arrange their own insurance must provide evidence that it meets UCOL's requirements, including travel, medical care, repatriation and death-related cover.

Important placement and visa consideration:

• Students should ensure that their visa arrangements cover the full two-year study period and required clinical placements.

• Any placement outside Manawat? may involve additional travel and accommodation expenses.

• Students must attend required classes and placements and maintain satisfactory academic progress to comply with their student visa conditions.