Animal Care Assistant
This one-year course is designed to give students an introduction to the world of animal care and grooming. This course is designed to provide a combination of practical and theoretical tuition in all aspects of the animal care industry. It provides a hands-on, skills-based course which equips students with a fundamental knowledge of the animal care industry. The course has been designed to meet a growing demand in Ireland for people to work in the animal care services.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year
Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied or;
Mature Students or;
Other equivalent qualifications
All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Students may seek immediate employment in the animal care industry; typical career opportunities are in the areas of animal grooming or animal health which may include pet shop, zoos and animal rescue centres. These industries and employers seek qualified and competent personnel. Graduates may also pursue courses in colleges and Technological Universities around the country or in the UK. Examples of linked courses include veterinary nursing and veterinary assistant courses in UCD, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Atlantic Technological University Letterkenny, Munster Technological University Tralee and Technological University of the Shannon Athlone. Progression is also possible to other Animal Science degrees including Agricultural Science, Animal Science, Bio Veterinary and Wildlife Biology degrees are available for progression. Students can also apply for general courses in UCD or TUD City Campus.
Examples of Higher Education Progression:
UCD: DN310 Veterinary Nursing (Level 8, 4 Years) UCD: DN250 Animal Science (Zoology Option) (Level 8, 4 Years)
DKIT: DK784 Veterinary Nursing (Level 7, 3 Years)
MTU Tralee: MT881 Veterinary Biosciences (Level 8, 4 Years)
MTU Tralee: MT880 Wildlife Biology (Level 8, 4 Years)
TUS Athlone: US867 BioVeterinary Science (Level 8, 4 Years)
TUS Athlone: US738 Veterinary Nursing (Level 7, 3 Years)
ATU Donegal: AU271 Veterinary Nursing (Level 7, 3 Years)
Level 7 or level 8 degrees at technological universities around the country.
Further information
MATURE STUDENTS SUPPORT
The college welcomes adults over 23 who wish to return to education and who wish to retrain in new skills and technologies. Our mature learners enjoy the following supports in addition to the overall supports provided to all students:
• Mature student meet and greet before the college year begins.
• A dedicated mature student room where mature students can meet and work with fellow mature students.
• Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the Mature Student room daily.
• A mature student officer available for guidance and support.
• Academic support tailored to ensuring the smooth transition to DCFE.
• Coffee Mornings in the mature student room.
• Guest speakers from past mature learners.
• Career guidance talks tailored to mature links.
• A dedicated induction process for mature entry.
• Workshops in exam study, time management, presentation skills, IT skills, referring and research techniques, etc.
• Basic computer skills workshops.
• Organised social events for mature learners.
• We look forward to welcoming our future mature learners to Dunboyne College.
For all courses in 2024/25, course fees are now a non-refundable €30 administration fee. The course fee must be paid to secure your place, you can pay this fee through our website. More information can be found here.
You can access your application details via the Dunboyne College website (click Login/Pay Fees in the menu at the top of the page) using your ID number and password.
No cash will be accepted at the office. Payments can be made online or by cheque (payable to Dunboyne College of Further Education), by bank draft or by postal order only.
SUSI Grant
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students for level 5 and level 6 courses in Dunboyne College of Further Education. For more information visit www.susi.ie
Application Procedure
1. Applications can be made online at www.dunboynecollege.ie. from November 2023 to September 2024.
2. After registering online, students will receive a text and email to notify them they have pre-registered and can log in to view and track their application.
Applications now open
Apply online www.dunboynecollege.ie
Once we receive your application we will email you requesting:
Photograph Reference Interviews
Recent academic results Personal Statement
Interview
All applicants will be interviewed. Some additional requirements may apply depending on your course choice.
When you receive an offer please confirm it by the deadline.
3. Applicants will be notifi ed by text and email of a request to upload further information for their application:
(i). Copy of most recent school report or examination results
(ii). Reference from teacher, employer or coach.
(iii). 100-word personal statement on
“Why this course is right for me,” which should outline reasons for choosing the course.
(iv) Photograph
4. Interviews will take place for all courses.
5. Successful applicants will then be able to complete the registration process.
6. Late applicants can apply online for vacant places at any time until the end of September 2024.
7. A grant can be applied for from www.susi.ie.
8. A separate process for applicants to the Early Learning and Care courses (formerly Childcare courses) applies. Other courses may have additional entry requirements including auditions etc, please refer to the entry requirements for the courses of your choice.
9. Applicants for the Apprenticeships in Hairdressing and Accounting Technician should note that there is a difference system for applying. Please refer to the information listed for these apprenticeships.
10. Applications will be processed in line with DCFE Admission Policy.
Optional Year 2 QQI Level 6 Available
Course Content
The following modules will be offered subject to availability / demand and may be subject to change:
Animal Welfare
Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Communications
Work Experience
Animal Behaviour
Veterinary Assisting skills
Office and frontline
Biology
Maths
Word Processing
Dog Grooming
Assessment
Most courses will be assessed through continuous assessment. This means that modules are assessed with a combination of exams and assignments. Assignments can take various forms, including written projects, reports, essays, skills demonstrations, oral presentations or electronic work. Results for exams and assignments are combined to give the overall result for the module.
5M2768 - Animal Care
Certification
QQI Level 5 in Animal Care 5M2768
Canine First Aid
The following may be offered as options on this course
Start Your Own Business
Optional Year 2 QQI Level 6 Available
Dunboyne Business Park, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, A86 FH01
Phone: (01) 8026577
Email: DunboyneCollege@LMETB.ie
www.dunboynecollege.ie