Our Careers & Employment team provides free advice to current and prospective students, as well as our graduates. We can help you with:

• Exploring your career options
• Developing your employ-ability
• Job search, CVs, interviews and more

• During study, all students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
• After completing Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification, a student will get a three years open post-study work visa.
• After completing Level 8 Post Graduate courses of 1 year, students get 1 year PSW.

NCEA Level 2 (60 credits) including: 12 English credits at Level 2 and 12 Maths credits at Level 1 and 12 relevant Science credits at Level 1

OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) Ara Animal Management/Veterinary Nursing Pathway

OR New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care Level 3

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

In addition you need to provide a recent curriculum vitae demonstrating previous experience of working with animals and with contact details for two referees.

Provide a referee report demonstrating an aptitude for working with the public - a reference from an employer where the student has worked with the public (e.g. retail) or a reference from a teacher attesting to social skills.
Provide a document outlining why you wish to pursue veterinary nursing as a career and answers the following questions:
one demonstrating an aptitude for working with the public - a reference from an employer where the student has worked with the public (e.g. retail) or a reference from a teacher attesting to social skills
Be physically and mentally able to undertake manual work and handle companion animals including dissection of animal body parts, or dealing with body fluids and cadavers.
Consent to Disclosure of Information. Changes to government legislation may require police vetting for registration as a veterinary nurse after qualification.
You will be required to attend an interview if you meet academic entry.

What if English is not my first Language?

If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.

Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country.
IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.
Overall IELTS 5.5 Academic

5.0 Listening
5.0 Reading
5.0 Writing
5.0 Speaking