how to become a veterinary nurse assistant uk

Last Updated on December 23, 2022

Veterinarians treat sick and injured animals, provide general animal care, and advise about health care and disease prevention for pets and farm (production) animals.

Veterinarians are basically animal doctors who diagnose and prescribe treatment for different types of animals. Veterinarians care for the health of animals (animal shelter) and work to improve public health (animal welfare). They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.

Educational Qualifications For Becoming A Veterinary Doctor | Veterinary Courses After 12th

If you are interested in this field of medicine and have a passion for animals then you can continue your career as a veterinarian in veterinary schools, medical schools, government agency, veterinary industry, federal government. Below is the list of courses that helps you to step forward for veterinary doctor course or give a knowledge of how to become veterinary doctor:

• Bachelor Courses:

Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & AH) – 5 years

BV. Sc. in Animal Production & Management

BV. Sc. in Veterinary Medicine, Public Health & Hygiene

BV. Sc. in Animal Genetics and Breeding

BV. Sc. in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology

• Master Courses:

Master of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc) – 3 years

MV. Sc in Veterinary Medicine

MV. Sc in Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology

MV. Sc in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology

• Doctoral Courses:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Veterinary Medicine

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Veterinary Pathology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology

For admission to UG Courses, students must have passed 10+2 with biology, chemistry, and physics.

For admission to PG courses in Veterinary Colleges, you should have a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science.

Jobs For Veterinarians:

In the next ten years, employment for veterinary doctors is expected to grow faster than other sectors by 18%. Due to the increase in pet-related issues, employment for veterinary will increase gradually. The veterinary field has developed very much that they offer advanced services compared to human healthcare. Below is the table consisting of veterinary employment details.

Occupational Title	Employment, 2018	Project Employment, 2026	Change, 2018-2026
Percent	Numeric
Veterinarians	79,600	94,000	18	14,400



Here are different Job Profiles under the Veterinarian field:

• Companion animal veterinarians – They usually work in private hospitals and provides treatment to pet animals like dogs, cats, birds, etc.
• Equine veterinarian – They generally work with horses and provides medical treatment to them.
• Food animal veterinarians – Here, veterinarians treat the illness and injuries of farm animals like pigs, cattle, ships, and literate the farm owners about food and other health practices.
• Food safety & Inspection Veterinarians – This type of veterinarians is generally involved in the research of finding and preventing diseases that is transmissible among animals and between animals and humans.
• Research Veterinarians – They work in laboratories and involved in the research of finding new technical surgical techniques.

Veterinarians Duties

The duties of Veterinarians differs among their job profile and seniority levels

• In addition to healing the illness o animals, Veterinarians involved in Research work as well
• Research is about the Spread of Diseases and their Vaccinations
• They should educate the animal owners about the routine Checkup and General Medicine
• The main job is to heal the wounds of pet animals

Salary Of Veterinary Doctor | BVSC Salary In India

The median annual pay scale for veterinary doctors is $88,770. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,470, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $161,070.

Apart from this, there are many other jobs that one can pursue such as teaching, research, or in the defense sector.

Some of the common BVSc jobs along with the salary scale associated with the job positions are mentioned in the following table:

Job Positions	Average Salary	Highest Salary
Veterinary Doctor	INR 5.08 LPA	INR 8 LPA
Veterinary Surgeon	INR 5.87 LPA	INR 10 LPA
Animal Care Specialist	INR 4.32 LPA	INR 8 LPA
Veterinary Officer	INR 10 LPA	INR 15 LPA
Cattle Breeder	INR 3.89 LPA	INR 10 LPA
Animal Breeder	INR 3.66 LPA	INR 10 LPA
Vet Doctor in NGOs	INR 3.89 LPA	INR 5.86 LPA
Animal Research Scientist	INR 5.42 LPA	INR 14.40 LPA
Livestock Development Officer	INR 4.80 LPA	INR 10 LPA



Essential Career Information

2017 Median Pay	$26,140
2016 number of jobs	83,800
Employment growth forecast, 2016 – 26	19%
Entry-level education requirements	High school diploma or equivalent
2017, wage of lowest 10 percent	$19,110
2017, wage of the highest 10 percent	$38,300



Veterinary Doctor Salary | Veterinary Science Salary Trends

The need and scope for veterinarians are bright in rural as well as urban areas. In cities, keeping pets is a craze, thus increasing the demand for private veterinary clinics and hospitals. Growth in the poultry sector and animal products technology sector has also resulted in an increase in demand for veterinarians in different sectors of livestock and poultry.

Veterinary science students can work with many medical institutions of both the private and public sectors as well. Aviaries, wildlife sanctuaries, and zoological parks also need veterinary specialists.

• A Bachelor of Veterinary Science graduate can work on various profiles as mentioned above. Some of the salary trends of common BVSc jobs are mentioned below:
• A general veterinarian can earn anywhere between INR 10,000 to 80000 INR per month depending on his/her expertise and experience.
• By owning a personal clinic, one can earn from 40-500 INR per patient, depending on the type of medical treatment the animal needs.
• As an Assistant Professor, a veterinary professional can earn a salary over INR 30,000-60,000.
• The government sector also has job openings in this field, as livestock development officers, and the pay ranges from INR 50,000-80,000 depending on position and experience.
• 

Veterinary Scope In India | Scope Of Veterinary Doctor In India

Veterinarians are highly demanded in countries like Canada, the US, and many more. The career scope of veterinary science is large and is growing faster in this era of the modern world. Here are the careers listed below for veterinarians to grow in their careers.

• Agricultural and Food Scientists
• Animal Care and Service Workers
• Dentists
• Medical Scientists
• Microbiologists
• Optometrists
• Physicians and Surgeons
• Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Interested candidates can start studying for the All India Entrance exam conducted for the Veterinary stream. You can boost your score with a wide range of Veterinary Preparation Books available online. Stay tuned to our blog for more news on Veterinary Exams.

Things You Should Know About Vet School

Financial Options

Students have some options to attend vet school for free or, in some cases, have significant chunks of their student loans paid off, but, of course, there are strings are attached.

If you’re willing to serve in the Army as a veterinarian, you’ll receive full tuition while you are in school. The Army will also pay you a $2,000 monthly stipend for incidentals and living expenses (a huge perk for poor vet students). If you have already graduated before signing up with the Army, there is a loan repayment program that pays up to $50,000 over three years towards student debt. Both active duty and reserve options are available with the Army.¹

For those with student debt looking for veterinary work outside the Army, the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program. The program pays up to $25,000 per year for vet students willing to work for three years in an area with a shortage of practitioners.² The $75,000 maximum payout can go a long way towards eliminating student loan debt.

States Without Schools

The Regional Contract Program allows students in states without a veterinary program to pursue a veterinary degree at designated out-of-state institutions while paying in-state tuition rates.

Spaces in these programs are limited, but veterinary schools do reserve a specific number of seats for vet students from the partner state in return for compensation. For instance, Kentucky lacks a veterinary college but contracts with Alabama’s Auburn University, which reserves a third of its spots each year for Kentucky vet students.

Age Considerations

It’s true that most vet school applicants are in their early 20s (about 73% as of 2013), but a significant portion of them (about 16%) are in the 25- to 30-year-old age range and another 4% are 31 or older.

Many major vet schools post the age ranges of their students online. The 2019 class at UC Davis, for example, had students as old as 42. The University of Minnesota’s class of 2019 had students as old as 44. It isn’t common for vet students to be in their 30s or 40s, but it certainly happens. So you’re never too old to consider vet school.

Career Path Choices

A veterinary degree requires a broad course of study where you learn about all the species you will encounter as a practitioner. You can’t decide, “I want to be a horse vet” and then only learn about equine medicine. You will, however, have the chance to focus on your area of interest when choosing your internships and residencies. You can also go on to pursue board certification as a specialist in a particular field.

Gender Statistics

Vet school enrollment statistics show considerably more female students than male. According to data collected by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), as of 2019, the gender split in veterinary colleges is about 80% female, 20% male.

This growing gender gap is also being reflected in the pool of practicing veterinarians. In 2018, the AVMA found that, of the 90,288 practicing vets that provided data, 36,758 were male and 53,530 were female. Veterinary medicine is no longer a male-dominated profession, though men do still hold a majority in specific fields (such as food animal medicine, where men hold 77% of positions).

New Vet Schools

As of late 2019, 30 U.S. veterinary programs have been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. This list includes two newer additions: Midwestern University in Arizona and Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee both opened their doors in 2014. Two additional veterinary programs—the University of Arizona and Long Island University—are actively seeking AVMA approval.

Tuition And Debt Concerns

According to the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the average annual tuition is about $50,000 for out of state students and $24,000 for in-state students as of late 2019.

Since vet school tuition is expensive, many students have to take out substantial student loans. This problem is compounded by the fact that vet students are often unable to bring in any income during their education because of the long hours of study required. According to the AVMA, as of 2016, the average debt for a vet student at graduation was $143,758.⁵

Stress And Depression

A 2018 UC Davis study found that 38.9% of first-year vet students showed symptoms of depression in their first year of study, and the rate of depression only grew in the second and third year of vet school.⁶ In comparison, depression is only seen in a quarter of medical students who study humans.

International Study

There are international schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and graduates of those schools do not face any additional hassles to practice in the United States. Graduates of non-accredited schools must deal with expenses and testing before they can become eligible to practice in the United States.

It can take several months or more to fulfill the equivalency requirements. Two equivalency exams can make a graduate of a non-accredited program eligible for U.S. licensing procedures: the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) and the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification program.

Secondary education

NCEA Level 3 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include chemistry, biology, physics and maths. 

Study fields

• Animal Husbandry
• Veterinary Science

Study levels

• Bachelor’s degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for veterinarians includes:

• practical experience with farm animals
• work as an animal technician
• animal training
• volunteer or paid animal care work.

What you will do

Veterinarians may do some or all of the following:

• work with clients to prevent and treat animal problems and diseases
• advise on preventative health care, nutrition and the care and welfare of animals
• examine dead animals to find out the cause of death
• work with herd and flock owners to help them meet breeding and production goals
• work in a quality control role at processing facilities 
• negotiate with other countries to set health standards for animal or animal product imports and exports
• write and develop statutes, codes, regulations and policies that protect animal welfare
• develop specialist skills to assist with surgery, medicine, epidemiology and pharmacology for animals
• be involved with disease investigation and research and co-ordinate national disease control programmes
• help pharmaceutical companies develop and market products used on animals. 

Skills and knowledge

Veterinarians need to have:

• knowledge of animals and animal diseases
• animal-handling skills
• knowledge of animal anatomy, physiology and biology
• knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology and parasitology
• skill in treating animals with medicines and performing surgery
• knowledge of radiography, dentistry and lab methods
• up-to-date knowledge of developments in veterinary science.

Business management knowledge may also be useful.

Pay

New veterinarians usually earn

$60K-$83K

per year

Experienced veterinarians usually earn

$80K-$150K

per year

Job opportunities

GOODChances of getting a job as a veterinarian are good due to a shortage of workers.

Length of training

5years of training required.

Industry

Animal Care

Veterinarians treat sick and injured animals, provide general animal care, and advise about health care and disease prevention for pets and farm (production) animals.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a veterinarian, you need to:

• complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Science
• be registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand
• have an Annual Practising Certificate.

Only Massey University offers the Bachelor of Veterinary Science course. Students do a pre-veterinary semester, and have a minimum of 10 days’ veterinary work experience before being considered for the course. Each year 124 students, of whom 100 are New Zealand residents, are accepted. 

You can apply for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree under the Veterinary Maori and Pacific students (VetMAP) pathway. 

• 

Chances of getting a job

Good opportunities for veterinarians

Opportunities for new graduates and experienced veterinarians are good because there are not enough to meet demand, particularly in rural areas.  

As a result, veterinarian appears on Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled veterinarians from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 2,475 veterinarians worked in New Zealand in 2018.

The Ministry for Primary Industries offers a bonding scheme for newly qualified veterinarians willing to work in particular areas.

Shortage of veterinarians has many causes

The shortage of veterinarians is due to:

• limits on trainee numbers 
• growing demand for veterinarian services, particularly in mixed animal practices
• qualified veterinarians moving overseas for higher pay
• qualified veterinarians leaving the job due to the high workload. 

About 60% of graduates start work in mixed (farm animal and pet) practices, mainly in smaller towns. However, rural practices still find it hard to attract veterinarians because the work often involves long hours and is physically demanding. 

Graduates can find roles quickly if they’re prepared to be flexible about their hours and where they work.

Types of employers varied

About 40% of veterinarians work in mixed rural practices and 40% work in urban practices, which mainly deal with pets. Practices can be small, with just one or two veterinarians, or large, with up to 20 staff.

Veterinarians may also work for:

• companies or government agencies
• the Ministry for Primary Industries
• AgResearch
• universities
• wildlife services, such as zoos and sanctuaries for endangered animals
• organisations such as DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ
• diagnostic laboratories
• animal health companies.

Veterinarians can also be self-employed, working as locums and contractors. 

Veterinarians may do some or all of the following:

• work with clients to prevent and treat animal problems and diseases
• advise on preventative health care, nutrition and the care and welfare of animals
• examine dead animals to find out the cause of death
• work with herd and flock owners to help them meet breeding and production goals
• work in a quality control role at processing facilities 
• negotiate with other countries to set health standards for animal or animal product imports and exports
• write and develop statutes, codes, regulations and policies that protect animal welfare
• develop specialist skills to assist with surgery, medicine, epidemiology and pharmacology for animals
• be involved with disease investigation and research and co-ordinate national disease control programmes
• help pharmaceutical companies develop and market products used on animals. 

Skills And Knowledge

Veterinarians need to have:

• knowledge of animals and animal diseases
• animal-handling skills
• knowledge of animal anatomy, physiology and biology
• knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology and parasitology
• skill in treating animals with medicines and performing surgery
• knowledge of radiography, dentistry and lab methods
• up-to-date knowledge of developments in veterinary science.

Apprenticeships

There are a range of Advanced/Level 3 apprenticeships (equivalent level to A levels).

Animal welfare apprenticeships offer specialist pathways to choose from, including:

• animal care and welfare
• zoos and wildlife establishments
• dog grooming
• pet care and retail
• animal training

Veterinary nursing apprenticeships enable you to train for job roles such as:

• veterinary nurse – small animal
• veterinary nurse – equine
• head veterinary nurse
• head equine veterinary nurse
• 

Entry Requirements

A levels – To get on to a veterinary medicine degree you will normally require A level biology and two other subjects.

Entry requirements range from BBC to A*AA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for AAA.

In addition, you will also need five GCSEs (A-C) including science, English, and maths.

Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from BBBCC to AAAAB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring AABBB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for AA.

Selection

Entry to veterinary medicine courses is highly competitive and the selection process rigorous as a result. You can expect to be interviewed by each university and some also employ additional screening tests. The University of Surrey uses an online questionnaire, designed to test your level of knowledge about the profession and to check you have the requisite insight and motivation to take on the degree. 

5 Popular VET Schools In New Zealand

#1 Massey University

Massey University, the largest education and research institution as well as the only true national university in New Zealand, was founded in 1927. This university is made up of many schools and Massey Veterinary School is one of its best schools. The School of Veterinary Science at Massey University is one of the best VET schools in New Zealand – it was ranked 29th in the world. It aims to develop knowledge in animal health and welfare, biosecurity, conservation and sustainable productivity. In addition, MU provides 2 VET programmes for students: Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Bachelor of Veterinary Technology.

Except for veterinary, this university also provides a great number of courses covering a wide range of subjects for students, including business, agricultural sciences, engineering, aviation, art and so on.

#2 Eastern Institute Of Technology

Eastern Institute of Technology or EIT is one of the fastest growing institutions of higher learning in New Zealand, with more than 10,000 full-time and part-time students. EIT is a national school established in 1975 and is the main higher education institution in the North Island of New Zealand. This institution offers many courses to students as well. These courses cover a wide range of fields, such as agriculture, animal management and veterinary nursing, arts & design, beauty, body and hairdressing, business, computing and more.

Veterinary is one of the subjects that EIT provides. The VET programs at EIT include Science Pathway, NZ Certificate in Animal Management, NZ Certificate in Animal Technology, NZ Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing. Besides, it also provides professional facilities and laboratories for VET students.

#3 Wellington Institute Of Technology

Wellington Institute of Technology, also known as WelTec, is a public New Zealand polytechnic based in Petone, Lower Hutt. This institute was founded in 1904 and offers a comprehensive range of professional courses in various areas, including English learning, business studies, communication studies, design studies, engineering, health studies, natural sciences, etc. Veterinary is one of courses it provided, aiming to train urgently needed professional and technical talents in New Zealand.

#4 Otago Polytechnic

Otago Polytechnic (OP) is a public New Zealand tertiary education institute located in the birthplace of New Zealand education – Dunedin. Except for that, it also has a campus in the largest city of New Zealand – Auckland. The institute offers students a wide range of professional courses that enable students to obtain undergraduate, master, doctorate and other diploma and study qualifications.

OP is made up of many schools and School of Veterinary Nursing is one of them. This New Zealand VET school provides several VET programme for students: New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals), New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) (Veterinary Nursing Assistant), New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) (Rural Animal Technician) and New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Level 6). Apart from these programs, it also offers short courses in veterinary, such as Equine First Aid short course, Basic Equine Behaviour short course and so on.

Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons

‘The requirement for other subjects varies a little from university to university, but either one or two subjects from chemistry, physics, or mathematics should be offered. Some universities may accept a third A level in a non-science subject, but it must be an academically sound subject.’

Personal Statement

The level of competition for places means that the personal statement forms a critical part of the selection process. It is essential that applicants can demonstrate that they have several weeks relevant work experience. Admissions tutors will be looking for the following evidence in your personal statement:

• You are well informed and passionate about veterinary science, both as a subject and as a future career.
• You have at least one to two weeks’ experience of working with animals (this can include for example experience of working on farms, in kennels, stables, and rescue centres).
• You have spent at least a week working in a veterinary practice.
• You possess the appropriate skills and qualities to become a vet.

Candidates are selected on the basis of their all-round ability including educational achievements and/or predictions together with personal attributes such as motivation to study the subject, awareness of current issues and developments in veterinary medicine and science, ability to work as part of a team, initiative, communication skills, self-confidence, compassion and empathy.

About The Tuition Fees Estimates

Tuition fees are charged by Massey for each course you enrol in as part of your qualification. They can also include fees for additional components, such as materials or field trips.

Your total tuition fees are set each year when you get confirmation you’re enrolled through the student portal.

The estimated tuition costs in these tables is for domestic students, New Zealand citizens or residents, whether you’re studying in New Zealand on-campus or by distance and online learning, or overseas.

Not all qualifications are outlined here. If you can’t find costs for your qualification, look up the cost for the individual courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Everyone’s tuition fees are different because fees are for the individual courses you enrol in.

These fees do not include non-tuition fees, which include additional compulsory fees.

The fees stated are estimates only and include GST (New Zealand Goods and Services Tax).

The full year fees are based on 120 credits – which is one year of full-time study for a standard qualification or 8 courses at a standard 15 credits each.

If you are enrolled part-time or in a qualification of more or fewer credits (for example the Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching – 150 credits) the tuition fee is based on fees for each course.

Your final fees will be detailed in your Confirmation of Enrolment from Massey as part of your enrolment process. Fees are due to be paid before you start studying or earlier if required by the University.

Pre-Degree Qualifications

To help you get into university you might wish to start with pre-degree or foundation qualifications, also called pathways, made up of 000 to 100-level courses. Later you may be able to count credits from your certificate or diploma towards study at a higher level.

You can take these qualifications even if you do not plan to study an undergraduate degree. Tuition fees depend on length of study and what credits you need to complete the qualification.

Pre-degree qualification type	Length of study	Credits and courses
English language short course	1 to 6 weeks or more	Not applicable
English language course	1 semester	Not applicable
University preparation course – foundation	1 semester	Not applicable
Certificate	1 semester	60 credits (4 courses)
Diploma	1 year	120 credits (8 courses)



Pre-Degree Or Pathway Qualifications

Pre-degree qualifications help you meet the entry requirements for university. They are also called foundation qualifications or pathways.

You can study these qualifications even if you do not plan to apply for an undergraduate degree.

2022 fees

This table shows the 2022 estimated fees for the different pre-degree qualifications and how long each one takes.

Pre-degree or pathway qualification	Length of study	Estimate of total tuition fees
English language short course	5 weeks modules	$2,375
English Academic Purposes	10 weeks	$4,750
Foundation Certificate (International)	1 semester	$12,440
Foundation Certificate (International – Accelerated)	1 year	$24,880



2021 fees

This table shows 2021 estimated fees for the different pre-degree qualifications and how long each one takes.

Pre-degree or pathway qualification	Length of study	Estimate of total tuition fees
English language short course	1 to 6 weeks or more	$475 each week
English Academic Purposes	10 weeks	$4,750
University preparation course – foundation	1 semester	$11,000
University foundation course	1 year	$22,480



Undergraduate Qualifications

Your tuition fees vary depending on what you choose to specialise in as your ‘major’ subject area and the courses you choose in your degree.

Completing a bachelor’s degree usually takes three years.

2022 fees

This table shows the 2022 estimated tuition fees in different subject areas for international students by course and year. It’s based on taking eight courses of 15 credits each over one year to reach the standard 120 credits. Remember that courses in some subject areas could cost you more than others.

Undergraduate degree – subject area	Estimate of tuition fees for each course	Estimate of tuition fees for each year
Agriculture	$4,348.75	$34,790.00
Arts	$3,518.75	$28,150.00
Aviation (Air transport pilot – first year 180 credits)	$4,522.50 to $17,042.40	$94,842.50
Aviation Management	$3915.00 to $4,685.20	$31,320.00
Business	$3,915.00	$31,320.00
Computer Science	$4,216.25	$33,730.00
Design	$4,330.00	$34,640.00
Engineering	$4,686.25 to $5,161.25	$37,490.00 to $41,290.00
Medical Laboratory Science	$4,686.25	$37,490.00
Nursing	$4,330.00	$34,640.00
Science	$4,348.75	$34,790.00
Speech Language Therapy	$4,686.25	$37,490.00
Technology	$4,686.25 to $5,161.25	$37,490.00 to $41,290.00
Veterinary Science (year 1)	$6,130.00 to $8,662.50	$49,040.00 to $69,300.00
Veterinary Science (years 2 to 5)	$8,662.50	$69,300.00



2021 fees

This table shows the 2021 estimated tuition fees in different subject areas for international students by course and year. It’s based on taking eight courses of 15 credits each over one year to reach the standard 120 credits. Remember that courses in some subject areas could cost you more than others.

Undergraduate degree – subject area	Estimate of tuition fees for each course	Estimate of tuition fees for each year
Agriculture	$4,221.25	$33,770.00
Arts	$3,416.20	$27,330.00
Aviation (Air transport pilot – first year 180 credits)	$4,418.70 to $16,778.10	$92,080.10
Aviation Management	$3,800.00 to $4,548.70	$30,400.00
Business	$3,800.00	$30,400.00
Computer Science	$4,092.50	$32,740.00
Design	$4,203.70	$33,630.00
Engineering	$4,548.70 to $5,010.00	$36,390.00 to $40,080.00
Medical Laboratory Science	$4,548.70	$36,390.00
Nursing	$4,203.70	$33,630.00
Science	$4,221.20	$33,770.00
Speech Language Therapy	$4,548.70	$36,390.00
Technology	$4,548.70 to $5,010.00	$36,390.00 to $40,080.00
Veterinary Science (year 1)	$5,951.20 to $8,410.00	$47,610.00 to $67,280.00
Veterinary Science (years 2 to 5)	$8,410.00	$67,280.00



Graduate Qualifications

International students can choose from different graduate qualifications. See the tables for your estimated tuition fees. The tables are based on the type of qualification and how long it takes.

2022 fees

Graduate qualification type	Length of study	Estimate of total tuition fees
Graduate certificate	1 semester	$17,500
Graduate diploma	1 year	$28,000 to $35,000



2021 fees

Graduate qualification type	Length of study	Estimate of total tuition fees
Graduate certificate	1 semester	$17,000
Graduate diploma	1 year	$27,000 to $34,000



Postgraduate Qualifications

International students can study postgraduate qualifications ranging from certificates to doctorates. Tuition fees depend on how much of your individual qualification is taught through courses or is your own research.

For some subject areas, you can study a postgraduate honours year. The honours year costs the same as a postgraduate qualification.

Fees overview by type of qualification

See your estimated tuition fees based on the type of qualification and how long it takes.

2022 FEES

Postgraduate qualification type	Length of study	Estimate of total tuition fees
Postgraduate certificate	1 semester	$16,000 to $21,000
Postgraduate diploma	1 year	$32,000 to $41,000
Postgraduate diploma in veterinary science	1 year	$48,000
Master’s degree – coursework	1 to 1.5 years	$49,000 to $61,000
Master’s degree – research	1 to 2 years	$49,000 to $61,000
Doctorate	3 to 4 years	$19,000 to $33,000



2021 FEES

Postgraduate qualification type	Length of study	Estimate of total tuition fees
Postgraduate certificate	1 semester	$15,000 to $20,000
Postgraduate diploma	1 year	$31,000 to $40,000
Postgraduate diploma in veterinary science	1 year	$47,000
Master’s degree – coursework	1 to 1.5 years	$48,000 to $60,000
Master’s degree – research	1 to 2 years	$48,000 to $60,000
Doctorate	3 to 4 years	$18,000 to $32,000



Fees overview by area of study

Check these tables for estimated tuition fees in your qualification’s subject or area of study. The tables are based on studying 120 credits each year.

2022 FEES

Postgraduate qualification – area of study	Estimate of tuition fees for each year
Agriculture	$40,870.00
Arts	$31,010.00
Business	$31,810.00
Computer Science	$36,810.00
Design	$36,810.00
Engineering	$40,080.00
Science	$37,210.00
Technology	$40,080.00
Veterinary Science	$47,610.00



Contact Massey Business School about fees for the:

• Master of Advanced Leadership Practice (MALP)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Professional Accountancy and Finance
• Executive MBA and PGDip Business – Business Administration.
• 

2021 FEES

Postgraduate qualification – area of study	Estimate of tuition fees for each year
Agriculture	$40,870.00
Arts	$31,010.00
Business	$31,810.00
Computer Science	$36,810.00
Design	$36,810.00
Engineering	$40,080.00
Science	$37,210.00
Technology	$40,080.00
Veterinary Science	$47,610.00





Key Areas Of Employment

Following completion of their degree, graduates need to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in order to practice. Typically, graduates go on to find employment in the following areas:

• private veterinary practice
• animal charities such as the RSPCA, Blue Cross, PDSA
• zoos
• Government Veterinary Service
• Royal Army Veterinary Corp
• scientific research
• higher education teaching

Generally veterinarians diagnose, treat and help prevent disease and injury in animals. But this isn’t limited to working in a clinic with small fluffy animals! Veterinarians play important roles in our everyday life – working to keep us, our pets, wildlife and stock healthy, protect our food and our environment.

How to become a veterinarian?

If you’d like a career as a veterinarian, you’ll need a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree. This is five-years of study, and your starting point for an interesting and diverse future.

Massey University’s Institute of Veterinary and Biosecurity Science (IVABS) is the only training institute for veterinarians in New Zealand.

Find more information about becoming a veterinarian, including entry requirements, recommended secondary school education and personal requirements, job outlook and pay scales on the Careers NZ website.

For overseas veterinarians wanting to work in New Zealand

If you have a veterinary qualification from an overseas university you’ll need to register in New Zealand. You can do this through the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ).

OUTLINING 8 STEPS TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN

Everyone has a different journey, but we have identified the common steps you will need. You can use the list of eight steps below as your guide to help you plan your path to becoming a veterinarian.

1. OPTIMIZE YOUR UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE

Most veterinary schools expect students to complete a bachelor’s degree, which needs to include specific courses. You can research prerequisite requirements using the Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR) and ask a counselor for guidance.

2. GAIN AS MUCH EXPERIENCE AS POSSIBLE

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) 2019–2020 data report shows most applicants have spent hundreds of hours working with animals, and many schools emphasize work performed under the supervision of a veterinarian. Internships and job shadowing are a few good options. According to Dr. Lori Pasternak, a veterinarian and cofounder of Helping Hands Affordable Veterinary Surgery & Dental Care, the more variety the better.

Gathering a diverse range of experiences is also a good way to find out if veterinary medicine is the right path for you. “You must love animals, of course, but a love of science, service, teamwork, and compassionate care are equally required,” Dr. Pasternak says.

“A love of science, service, teamwork, and compassionate care are equally required.”

Also consider getting involved in extracurricular activities. “Students should also look into joining a pre-vet club or organization at their undergraduate university,” says Dr. Danel Grimmett, a veterinarian at Sunset Veterinary Clinic. “These types of clubs offer support and education regarding preparing for veterinary school.” Some colleges even offer internships based at animal hospitals and zoos.

3. APPLY TO VETERINARY PROGRAMS

It’s critical to focus on performing well in your course prerequisites in addition to gaining plenty of animal and veterinary experience before applying to DVM programs. “Another benefit to getting hands-on experience is working with veterinarians who can write you a glowing recommendation for veterinary school,” Dr. Pasternak says.

Additionally, set aside plenty of time to work on writing your vet school essay, obtaining letters of recommendation, and completing program-specific requirements before submitting applications through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS). This service allows you to easily distribute your application to multiple schools at the same time.

If you’re lucky enough to gain acceptance to more than one program, you’ll need to think carefully about which one best fits your needs. Dr. Pasternak notes that you should pay particular attention to schools that focus on clinical and communication skills. You may want to get in touch with current students at schools you’re considering to gather some of this information.

4. OBTAIN YOUR DVM

A typical doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) program curriculum spans four years. You’ll likely spend your first two years completing coursework in classes and labs. Programs usually start with basic science classes, then move toward focusing more on biological systems like neurology.

School curriculums vary, but it’s common to start gaining practical experience outside of labs and lecture halls during your third year. This was the case for Dr. Grimmett. “The third year was more clinically focused, still with significant classroom time,” she explains. You’ll spend your final year of veterinary medical school completing clinical rotations to gain practical, hands-on experience working with patients.

5. STUDY FOR AND PASS THE NAVLE

The North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is the most important test you’ll take on the road to becoming a veterinarian, because you must earn a passing score in order to practice. You’ll want to devise a study strategy to ensure you’re prepared because cramming won’t cut it.

“Use the four years to actually learn and understand,” Dr. Grimmett advises. “Don’t just study for the test.”

“Use the four years to actually learn and understand. Don’t just study for the test.”

You might also consider bolstering your regular study habits with programs designed for NAVLE preparation. There are resources that include practice questions, mock tests, and more.

You can sit the exam in the fall or spring of your senior year. Though some students like to wait until the spring to allow more time for preparation, many prefer to take the NAVLE during the fall so they have the option to retake it if necessary. That said, students who have spent their time absorbing material and building their skills stand a good chance of performing well.

6. COMPLETE ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

You may need to complete additional steps depending on where you want to practice. Make sure to contact the correct provincial regulatory body in Canada or state regulatory board in the US to find out which specific requirements you need to meet. For instance, US students who attended an international school may need to obtain certification through the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG).

7. PURSUE FURTHER TRAINING IF DESIRED

Veterinary school graduates are able to begin practicing immediately after graduating and obtaining their licenses. Some prefer to pursue internships or complete a residency that will provide additional mentorship, training, and enable them to receive board certification in a specialty field. Other graduates may find they gain more confidence by starting to practice right away.

“I believe there is more value to learning by simply jumping in and doing,” Dr. Pasternak says. “It takes guts and a certain amount of confidence, but it advances learning.”

8. BEGIN YOUR VETERINARY CAREER

You’re free to begin practicing at this point, but make sure you’ve planned to start your career search well in advance. “Don’t wait until the last month of your senior year to begin your job hunt,” Dr. Grimmett warns.

You can start your search by utilizing veterinary specific job boards, reaching out to the veterinarians you know personally, or even seeking help from a recruiter. It’s also a good idea to keep an open mind.

“One of the great things about being a veterinarian is the ability to be able to practice in such a wide-ranging field,” Dr. Grimmett notes.

Pets play a large role in our daily lives: we value them for company, fun, affection, and, in some cases, to provide disability assistance. Through keeping pets healthy, vets help keep the bond between animals and people strong. 

Many veterinarians choose the veterinary profession because they have a desire to look after animals in our care (animal husbandry). This includes helping them to be born, be healthy, to grow stronger and also covers animal health and welfare. 

Some veterinarians want to ensure our food is safe. This means implementing processes that check food all the way along the production chain, “from farm to fork”.

Some veterinarians’ work involves the protection of human health through identifying and researching zoonoses, or diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans.

Some veterinarians choose to focus on preventing outbreaks and, when they do occur, controlling/limiting and further spread of disease to protect animals at risk and limit the impact on farmers, the economy and society

New Zealand may be the envy of the world for its ultra-low COVID-19 caseload. But the Southern Pacific nation’s strict approach to lockdowns and national border closures comes with a consequence for the veterinary community: It’s exacerbating long-standing worries about a labor shortage.

Overseas graduates account for nearly one-third of New Zealand’s veterinary workforce. Last year, for instance, 30% of the 2,633 practicing veterinarians registered in the country had obtained their veterinary degrees in other countries, according to the 2018-19 workforce report of the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, the profession’s regulatory body. The proportion was about the same in each year of the preceding decade. With the nation’s borders closed to most nonresidents since March 20, a vital source of talent has now been disrupted for more than six months and counting.

New Zealand’s newfound reluctance to accept skilled migrants is seen by lawmakers as a necessary evil to support what is widely considered to be one of the world’s most successful COVID-19 management strategies. Today, the country recorded just three new cases of the highly contagious disease in the previous 24 hours, bringing the nation’s total number of confirmed and probable cases to 1,864, according to government figures. 

New Zealand got on top of an initial surge in COVID-19 cases by swiftly introducing a strict national lockdown on March 25 that was gradually eased through June. A small batch of fresh cases cropped up again in Auckland, the nation’s most populous city, in August, prompting a return to some restrictions on social and business activities. Those restrictions were lifted this week. So far, 25 people in New Zealand have perished from COVID-19, equivalent to roughly one per 200,000 people in the population. By comparison, in the United States, which has the world’s highest number of mortalities, about 210,00 people have died — roughly one of every 1,570 of its population.

The potentially negative implications of New Zealand’s pandemic strategy for the veterinary community has prompted its chief lobbying group, the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), to call on lawmakers to let more foreign-trained practitioners in. Critical shortage of veterinarians just not sexy enough is the title of a provocative press release issued by the association to draw attention to its concerns. By “not sexy enough,” the NZVA is referring to a controversial decision by the government in May to allow hundreds of foreign film-industry workers into the country. New Zealand is where much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was shot, and it’s currently hosting filming of a sequel to Avatar.

The NZVA’s efforts to ascribe veterinarians a similar economic status as film workers is gaining some traction. On Sept. 22, New Zealand’s immigration minister, Kris Faafoi, said that up to 30 foreign veterinarians would be granted border exemptions (along with 570 deep-sea fishing crew and 210 agricultural and horticultural workers).

The move was welcomed by the NZVA, although it wants the government to go further. “We’re very thankful for the work the minister did in supporting us and are mindful they’re having to make tough choices,” NZVA chief veterinary officer Dr. Helen Beattie told the VIN News Service. “Thirty is obviously a step in the right direction, but it does still leave a pretty significant hole in our workforce.”

Fears of veterinarian shortages are coming at a time when the need for their services appears to be picking up. Many practices around the globe are experiencing a rebound in demand as a backlog of work is cleared, following an easing of lockdowns. Pet owners working from home have been paying more attention to their animals, prompting more veterinary visits, practitioners say, and there also have been widespread reports of a boom in puppy and kitten adoptions.

“I suspect that sometimes animal owners are getting turned away because there’s no gaps in the current appointment roster,” Beattie said. “There’s been quite a surge in the use of veterinary services post our lockdown here.” For the most part, though, Beattie said, veterinarians are still getting the job done. “Vets keep stretching themselves to make things work.”

The consequences of a labor shortage reach beyond companion animal medicine. New Zealand is a large exporter of agricultural products and is by far the world’s biggest milk exporter by volume, ahead of Germany, the Netherlands and the United States. A lack of veterinary oversight in the dairy sector, as well as in the country’s large meat export industry, has negative implications for biosecurity, quality control and animal welfare, industry representatives say.

“New Zealand relies on an influx of overseas vets to fill gaps in the workforce so it’s easy to see why we are getting a crunch in vacancies with the current border restrictions,” said Dr. Mark Hosking, chief executive of Franklin Vets. Franklin Vets has farm, companion animal and equine divisions, with 10 clinics spread around the country’s North Island.

A problem years in the making?

Some practitioners and representative organizations, including the NZVA, say New Zealand’s response to the pandemic isn’t the only factor putting downward pressure on veterinary numbers. Concerns of a deficit in the profession have been ongoing for decades, a perception based on anecdotal accounts or practice survey results.

The Veterinary Council of New Zealand confirmed that it doesn’t have exhaustive figures to provide hard evidence of a labor shortage. “We can quite easily tell the supply side of the equation: how many vets there are, where they’re situated and what they’re working on,” its chief executive and registrar, Iain McLachlan, told VIN News. “What we can’t measure so easily is what real demand is,” he said, noting that many practices are private businesses that don’t publicly disclose their performance.

McLachlan said regulators can at least make educated guesses about demand, based on factors such as livestock units or numbers of pets in a particular area. “There has been plenty of anecdotal evidence of a shortage,” he said. “Every time the association puts out their monthly magazine, you look at the job adverts [for veterinarians] and we see a ton of those. We know it’s been a problem for a long time. That’s what the practices have been telling us.”

Hosking at Franklin Vets said his group employs someone 25 hours a week to work exclusively on recruitment. Franklin Vets employs about 150 people, including more than 50 veterinarians. Hosking said that overall, business is faring relatively well. “Locality-wise, we are not too bad, either, so can attract vets; however, we have three current vacancies for experienced vets that we are struggling to fill,” he said.Photo courtesy of Dr. Helen BeattieThe New Zealand Veterinary Association is concerned that border controls imposed by the government in response to the pandemic may overburden the veterinary workforce. Dr. Helen Beattie is chief veterinary officer of the organization.

According to a snap poll conducted last month by the NZVA of its members, the 124 practices that responded reported a combined shortfall of 224 veterinarians. The NZVA’s Beattie was quick to stress that the poll wasn’t a peer-reviewed scientific study, nor did it reflect experiences of the roughly 35% of the country’s veterinary community who aren’t members of the NZVA. “The poll was very rough and ready,” she said. “But it did give us an indication of what was required before we spoke to the government about the border closure.”

In New Zealand, Beattie points out that veterinarians are on the country’s Long Term Skill Shortage List. In the government’s words, the list is for occupations that are in “sustained shortage all over New Zealand.”