Study animal care online for free*

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish and Companion Animals) (Level 3)

Overview
Details

Currently this programme is open only for continuing students.
Please keep visiting the website for updates around possible future intakes in 2022.

Programme highlights

Do you love working with animals?

Turn your passion into a rewarding career with MIT.

This programme will teach you the skills and knowledge to care for all kinds of animals - both big and small.

You can study at a time and place that suits your other commitments, from anywhere in New Zealand. You'll also get lots of one-on-one support from your tutors.

Choose a strand:

You will have the opportunity to select from one of two strands where you will learn about the specialist care and handling of:

Fish; or
Companion animals (such as dogs, cats, birds)

You must have access to companion animals or fish to do this programme.

If you enjoy looking after pets or are interested in working with animals, this programme will get you started with the skills you need.

When you have successfully completed this course, you'll know best-practice industry and government rules for animal care, as well as how to help keep animals in good condition.

Please note: All of this programme is delivered under a sub-contracting arrangement with Bay of Plenty Technical Institute trading as Pacific Coast Technical Institute.

Flexible study option

Key facts

Start month(s)	TBC
Study location(s)	Distance learning (workbook study and practical experience)
Level	3
Domestic fees	Free*
Youth Guarantee (fees-free*)	Not available Click here to find out more
Programme code	NZ2487

Duration	Part-time for 9 months (36 teaching weeks). _{The maximum time to complete this programme part-time is 2 years.}
Study method	Part-time
Credits	70
International fees	Not available to international students
Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Scholarship (fees-free*)	Not available Click here to find out more
Qualification	New Zealand Certificate

Entry requirements

General

Open entry for domestic students

There are no academic requirements that need to be met to enter this programme.

Provisional entry

Students who have attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme will be eligible to be enrolled as a student where their previous educational, work or life experience indicates they have a reasonable likelihood of success. Students who have not attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the required minimum entry requirements for a programme may also be eligible to enrol in exceptional circumstances. Such decisions will be made by the Director/Head of School.

Programme structure

You will need to complete two compulsory courses and two courses from your chosen strand (70 credits):

Compulsory courses:

121.326 Introduction to animal care and positive welfare (20 credits)

To provide an introduction to the legal requirements and philosophy of care to create a positive welfare environment when caring for animals.

121.327 Responses to emergency conditions (10 credits)

To demonstrate knowledge of health and safety requirements for the industry and knowledge of appropriate responses for emergency situations.

Courses related to your chosen strand:

Fish

121.328 Normal characteristics, needs, breeds and husbandry (fish) (20 credits)

To provide knowledge and skills on recognising normal behaviour and health in fish, providing the optimum environment, and care of the young for a species.

121.329 Abnormal conditions, infections, transportation and equipment (fish) (20 credits)

To provide knowledge and skills on recognising abnormal conditions and health in fish, optimal methods of transportation of fish, and equipment used in maintaining a health aquarium.

Companion animals

121.330 Normal characteristics, needs, breeds and husbandry (companion animals) (20 credits)

To provide knowledge and skills on recognising normal behaviour and health in companion animals, nutrition, taxonomy and husbandry.

121.331 Abnormal conditions, infections, transportation and equipment (companion animals) (20 credits)

To provide knowledge and skills on recognising abnormal conditions and health in companion animals.

Career opportunities

Opportunities include working as a:

Veterinary assistant
Animal care attendant
Farm worker
Aquaculture operator
Zoo care worker

For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.

_{Information is correct as at February 2021. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2021 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2021 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2021 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2021 are based on the 2020 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2021. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology Limited is accredited under the provisions of the Education Act 1989. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.}