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Environment, Agriculture & Animals
Duration
1 years
Level
FET
Outlook
Stable
This QQI Level 6 programme equips you with the practical skills needed to support veterinary professionals and care for a wide range of animals in clinical and non-clinical settings. You will study animal anatomy and physiology, nutrition, disease prevention, and basic nursing procedures, alongside hands-on animal handling techniques for companion animals, farm animals, and exotics. A typical week combines classroom theory with practical laboratory sessions and time spent in a college animal unit or on work placement in a veterinary practice, animal shelter, or kennel facility. Some programmes include Erasmus-linked placements in European animal care settings. You will graduate with competence in assisting vets and vet nurses during consultations, maintaining hygiene standards, and providing high-quality animal husbandry.
Entry to this QQI Level 6 programme typically requires a Leaving Certificate with passes in at least five subjects, including English and ideally a science subject such as Biology or Agricultural Science. A QQI Level 5 award in Animal Care or a related area is also a very common and accepted entry route, particularly for school leavers who complete a Level 5 PLC first. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply directly to the college without standard Leaving Certificate requirements and will be assessed individually. HEAR and DARE applicants may be eligible for reserved places or reduced entry requirements depending on the college. No specific CAO points apply as applications are made directly to the college or ETB rather than through CAO.
Demand for trained animal care support staff in Ireland is steady, driven by growing pet ownership and expanding veterinary services nationwide. While the sector is not the highest-paid, it offers consistent employment for qualified candidates who combine practical skill with a genuine commitment to animal welfare. Graduates who progress to further qualifications, such as a degree in Veterinary Nursing, significantly improve their earning potential and career scope. Experienced veterinary nurses registered with NMBI can earn between approximately €32,000 and €48,000 gross per year.
AI is beginning to influence veterinary practice through diagnostic imaging software, automated patient monitoring systems, and predictive health analytics used in large animal and farm settings. For veterinary assistants and animal care workers, however, hands-on animal handling, observation, and compassionate care remain tasks that cannot be automated. You are unlikely to see significant displacement of frontline animal care roles by AI in the near term, though familiarity with digital practice management systems will be increasingly expected. Staying informed about technology used in modern veterinary clinics will be an advantage.
Providers and indicative points are curated with AI support. Always double-check with the institution itself.
How to apply
QQI Level 6 Veterinary Assistant and Animal Care programmes are delivered through ETB Colleges of Further Education and are applied for directly through the individual college or via fetchcourses.ie, not through the CAO. Entry typically requires a Leaving Certificate or equivalent QQI Level 5 qualification, and some providers may require relevant work experience or an interview.
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