As part of this 18-month accelerated program, you will become proficient in handling, treating and caring for cats, dogs, horses, sheep and cattle, at the new Animal Health Education Centre and Smart Farm.
You will learn about diagnostic laboratory procedures, animal disease, anatomy and physiology, surgery and anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, dentistry and client communication. You will also learn alongside Veterinary Medical Receptionist and Veterinary Technical Assistant students.
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive a diploma in Veterinary Technology.
As part of the Veterinary Technology program, you will complete a six-week industry practicum, working directly with industry professionals.
Upon graduation from the Veterinary Technology Diploma you are eligible to write the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and a provincial licencing exam to become an Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT). You will be taught a Canadian Veterinary Medical Association accredited curriculum.
Directed Field Study Required: 6 week practicum in the industry to be completed at the end of the program (can be completed at a location of the student’s choosing).
Out of Province Applicants: Please refer to the Provincial Equivalency Chart for course equivalencies.
International Applicants: Olds College welcomes applications from International Applicants and those who have completed their high school education outside of Canada. Please note, it is still necessary to meet all of the noted admission requirements, including English Language Proficiency.
PLEASE NOTE: Your application will remain "pending" until the Verification Form has been completed and submitted.
The Verification Form must be signed by the Veterinarian, RVT, or person who most closely supervised the applicant in the location where the job shadowing and/or employment hours were gained. This form may only be signed and submitted after the minimum of 40 hours of job shadowing and/or employment hours have been completed.
Academic Upgrading and High School ApplicantsIt will be necessary to provide proof of enrolment in any required 30-level courses not yet completed (ie. a timetable, list of courses signed by the counsellor/principal or letter from the institution or staff/instructor) AND a final mark of 65% or better in the corresponding 20-level courses.
Prospective applicants who do not meet the academic requirements for the Veterinary Technology Diploma program are eligible for alternate admission consideration to the program if:
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has developed agreements with other educational institutions to allow for transition to Olds College, or to another institution to continue your education. Articulations & Agreements
Although Olds College Veterinary Technology Diploma (VTDP) does not provide direct entry into any Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, your university of choice should be able to advise if they accept Olds College VTDP classes towards a Bachelor of Science degree that would allow students to complete the other admission requirements for entry to a DVM program. The decision of transferable and nontransferable courses is at the discretion of the individual university.
| Year | Tuition | Fees | Books & Supplies | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,400.00 | $1,600.00 | $3,100.00 | $12,100.00 |
| Year 2 | $3,700.00 | $650.00 | $200.00 | $4,550.00 |
Olds College offers two residence options — Centennial Village and College Courts. Students living on campus are required to choose a meal plan. Housing and meal plan costs are based on the full academic year (September to April), but students in single-term programs will only pay for the corresponding term.
For more details, visit Dining at Olds College and Campus Housing.
For course descriptions and requisites, view the Academic Calendar.
Academic Calendar: Veterinary Technology
For information on how to apply for government student loans, financial aid or for help with financial planning, visit our Student Funding page.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology offers over 450 awards, valued at $500,000+ in scholarships, bursaries and prizes. Thanks to our industry partners, alumni, and friends of Olds College we are fortunate to offer a generous student awards program to students.
For additional information on scholarships, bursaries and prizes at Olds College, visit Scholarships & Awards
Entrance awards range from $250 - $1,500 for students applying for the upcoming academic year and have paid the tuition deposit by the deadline.
Awards are selected randomly from those that have applied and qualify based on the criteria.
Award will be applied as a tuition credit to the student's account after the add/drop course deadline, confirming full-time attendance.
Olds College of Agriculture & Technology has a solid reputation working with employers in the industry! This directly translates into jobs for our graduates. Opportunities include, but are not limited to:
Visit ALIS - Occupational Profiles to discover current wages, industry trends, and more about your future job.
Admitted students should be aware of occupational programs where potential for exposure to animals with disease/infection is high. Please read more about program specific Immunization Information.
Find out when your term start and end dates are, so that you know when you are expected to be in attendance. For more information, please review the Program Dates & Fee Schedule.
You will be registered into your classes automatically. This will happen approximately 1 month prior to the start-date for your program. You will be notified once you have been timetabled into your courses. You will be able to see your class schedule in your My Olds College account. If you need to make any changes to your class registration, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
It is required that you come to Olds College with the following technology:
Students will use a variety of memory-intensive programs extensively in lectures and labs. A laptop running the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system (as of December 2020, Microsoft Windows 10). Minimum of 8GB RAM and 250GB (512 Gb recommended) available disk storage space is recommended for this program. Laptops should have sufficient battery life to operate in the field for up to 2 hours.
As part of your student accounts, all students have access to Office 365 for the duration of their time with Olds College. To access this you just need to follow these steps:
The following items are required to be purchased prior to the start of your program:
The following items are also required and can be purchased from the Olds College Campus Store:
Information on required textbooks and any further supplies will be provided as you attend each class. All books and supplies will be available during the first few weeks of classes in the College Campus Store.
Special requirements for students registered in this program within the Province of Alberta now require that all students have an active student membership with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) under the Province of Alberta’s Veterinary Act and General Regulation.
Students in our Veterinary Technology Diploma and Veterinary Medical Receptionist Certificate programs are seeking hosts to complete their industry practicums.
If your clinic is interested in supporting hands-on learning and mentoring future veterinary professionals, please use the form below to confirm your practicum student’s name and timeline. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to the next generation of animal health care providers!
Connect directly with the recruitment team at Olds College to get personalized support as you explore your pathway to post-secondary study. Whether you have questions about programs, admission requirements, campus life or next steps in your application journey, our recruitment specialists are here to help you make informed decisions and plan with confidence.
Applications for 2027-28 open Oct. 1, 2026, 9 a.m.
Get started — learn how to apply today!
Our easy online application process guides you through each step, making it simple to apply and get started. Start preparing now, and be ready to apply!
