Skip to content
Wintec
New Zealand dairy cows
  1. Home
  2. Study at Wintec
  3. Rural Animal Technology
  4. New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4) with strand in Rural Animal Healthcare

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4)

with strand in Rural Animal Healthcare

NZ4388

Course details

Please note that places on this programme are limited. Apply now to secure your spot.

Summary

Are you seeking a career in a veterinary-related field, with rural animals?

This programme will see you learn the skillset to work with agricultural and farm animals under the guidance of our tutors and through 240 hours of work placement in a rural or mixed veterinary clinic. Students will learn everything from tending to sick and injured animals to docking, foot care, pregnancy testing, disease prevention, and how to assist herd owners in achieving breeding and production goals. 

Students will attend lectures two days a week, undertake practicals one day a week, and also have two days a week on work placement. There are blocks of days where there are no lectures so that students can complete work experience in the second semester.

Please note: It is a requirement of this programme that you have a form of transport and/or someone who can transport you around the Waikato/Waipa areas to complete your work placement hours each week. We cannot guarantee you will be able to complete hours within your area of residence.

​View programme modules

Schedule of modules for the Rural Animal Healthcare strand

 

Module codeModule titleLevelCreditsPre-requisitesCo-requisites
​ ANML4301 Rural Animal Professionalism and Infection Control 
415

 
ANML4302Rural Animal Anatomy and Physiology 415  
ANML4303Rural Animal Husbandry and Behaviour415  
ANML4304Rural Animal Practicum 1 415  
ANML4305Rural Animal Health and Hygiene 415  
ANML4306Rural Animal Clinical Assistance 415  
ANML4307Rural Animal Preparation for Practice 415  
ANML4308Rural Animal Practicum 2 415  
​​

Career/further opportunities

Graduates will be able to assist veterinarians in both large animal and/or mixed animal practices, and in the field; or work independently as a rural animal technician.

Application Process

  1. Apply online or download and complete an Application to Enrol Form. 
  2. Complete the online Self-Disclosure Form. If you have applied in hard copy, you will also need to complete a Self-Disclosure Form, if you have applied online this form is included as part of the online application process.
  3. If applying in hard copy, and if you are unsure that you meet the entry criteria, complete the online Additional Information Form. This will enable us to assess your application further.
  4. If you have them, provide us with certified copies of your prior academic transcripts. Find out more about supporting material for enrolment here.
  5. We may also need to verify your identity (your legal name and date of birth) as well as your residency status. If you are a domestic student we may be able to do this through your National Student Number (NSN); if we can not, we will need you to provide evidence of this by supplying verified copies of your birth certificate or passport.

Once you have submitted your application

  • We will email you to confirm we received it and let you know if there is anything more we need from you.
  • We will assess your application and let you know the outcome.
  • If you are accepted to study we will send you an enrolment offer letter - you will need to accept this to confirm your place on the programme. Click here to find out more about enrolment and accepting your offer.

Frequently asked questions

What opportunities will I get to work in industry while I study?

Over the year, students will complete hours of work placement in a rural or mixed veterinary clinic, practising what we teach under the guidance of a practising industry professional. 

Undergraduate, semester, pathway, module and cross-disciplinary - what do these words mean?

Undergraduate means any study up to the level of completing a bachelor degree. Our academic year is made up of two main semesters, one from February to June and the other from July to November. We also have a summer semester for some classes. A degree is made up of a mix of compulsory and elective modules, modules are worth between 15 and 60 credits. A year’s worth of full time study is 120 credits. 

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

You can apply for this programme if you meet one of the below options.

  • 40 credits at NCEA Level 1; including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits; or a recognised equivalent;
  • Or a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2 or above, or a recognised equivalent. ​

Special admission

Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements is eligible for special admission. Kaimahi work with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme.

Discretionary admission

Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements may be eligible for discretionary admission. In assessing whether to grant discretionary admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.

Additional requirements 

  1. All applicants must complete a Health declaration and declaration of any criminal conviction to ensure fitness to practice prior to acceptance into the programme. 
  2. Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.  

English language requirements

Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) general or academic score of 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0; or equivalent.

Don't meet the entry criteria?

Pathways

Animal Care and Rural Technology pathway diagram

To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

Your first day

Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

Semester 1 2025

Whānau sessions

Date: Tuesday 4 February 2025
Time: 12pm-1pm
Venue: N Block Reception, Rotokauri Campus

Date: Wednesday 5 February 2025
Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm
Venue: N Block Reception, Rotokauri Campus

Date: Wednesday 5 February 2025
Time: From 6.30pm
Venue: Online via Zoom

Induction

Date: Monday 10 February 2025
Time: 10.30am-3pm
Venue: N Block Reception, Rotokauri Campus

As a new student, we welcome you to attend one of our whānau sessions. At this relaxed event, we help you prepare for induction and your first weeks of the semester. We encourage you to bring your whānau and friends along to support you. At induction, you will spend your first day getting to know each other, the tutors, and the Rotokauri Campus, as well as receiving your resources and spending time in the classroom. This will include module outlines, timetables, and information packs on what to expect throughout the year.

What you will need

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. The Gardens Campus has free parking available. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

A set of gumboots and overalls are included in the course fees. Replacement or additional items are at your cost.

Additional information

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    Prospectus (course guide)

    The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

    Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

    The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

    Portfolio

    Need help? Want to know how to get started?

    Leave your details here and we will come back to you:

    Wintec is part of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Learn More about Wintec Te Pūkenga.

    Learn with purpose

    Explore Te Pūkenga

    Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa - New Zealand Government

    Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa - New Zealand Government

    Copyright © 2022 Wintec