Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to be employed as a sporthorse stable assistant, to build on existing knowledge of animal care, or to use as a pathway to further training in equine studies, rural animal technician or the primary sector.

Level 7 (Bachelor’s degree)

• Duration: Equal to length of study (typically up to 3 years)
• Requirement: minimum 30 weeks full time study in NZ

Level 7 (Graduate Diploma)
Eligible for PSWV
Conditions:

• Must also hold a Bachelor’s degree (NZ or overseas)
• Duration: Up to length of study (typically 1 year)

Level 8 (Postgraduate Diploma)

• Duration: Equal to length of study, OR
• Up to 3 years in some cases (if part of higher qualification pathway)

Level 9 and 10 (Master’s degree and Doctoral degree)

• Duration: 3 years
• Condition: Must study at least 30 weeks in New Zealand

- Most eligible international students can work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled breaks, only if their student visa includes work rights.

- Foundation, pathway and short courses have different rules.

- Not allowed for part time students.

• IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE) 
• TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) 
• Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill. 
• OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests 
• NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) 
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36 
• Language Cert - B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than PASS in each skill 
• Trinity ISE - ISE I with no less than distinction in any band