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

Programme highlights

Do you love working with animals? 

Turn your passion into a rewarding career with MIT.

This programme will teach 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. You'll also get lots of 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)

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) Rolling intakes, start anytime
Study Location(s) Distance learning
Level 3
Domestic fees Free*
*Free for NZ citizens and permanent residents only.
Youth Guarantee Not Available
Programme Code NZ2487
Duration

41 weeks (part-time)
Study Method Part-time
Credits 70
International Fees Not Available to International Students
Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Scholarship Not Available
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.

Career opportunities

Opportunities include working as a:

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

Programme structure

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

121.317 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.

121.318 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

121.319 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.

121.320 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

121.321 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.

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

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

Apply now

Need help applying?

We're here to support you to succeed.

If you need help with applying or advice on choosing a programme, our Ask Me! Student Services Centre is here to give you guidance.

Send us a message, call us on 0800 62 62 52 or come in and see us.

Information is correct as at October 2019. 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 2020 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2020 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2020 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 2020 are based on the 2019 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2020. 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 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.