Dalhousie’s two-year Veterinary Technology diploma is based at its Agricultural Campus in Truro and Bible Hill. Applicants need specified Grade 12 courses and Casper. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association-accredited program combines classroom learning with practical training, focusing mainly on companion animals while including other species.
- Program
- Diploma in Veterinary Technology
- Credential
- Diploma
- Location
- Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- February 15, 2027 (Entrance scholarship application deadline)
- Interview
- No interview
- Seats
- Program enrolment is limited to 40 students.
- Length
- Two-year diploma
Casper Requirement for Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology
Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- Dalhousie University ID - a 9-digit number
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper is required. Veterinary Technology test dates for the upcoming entry have not yet been posted.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Dalhousie online portal
- Applications open
- October 1, 2026
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Entrance scholarship application deadline | February 15, 2027upcoming |
| Proof of English proficiency deadline | May 1, 2027upcoming |
| Application consideration, subject to available space | Applications may be considered before classes start in September if space is available. |
Submit via the online portal with your 9-digit ID. Track updates weekly after submission.
Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology Admissions Statistics
Period: Published program capacity
- Seats / class size: Program enrolment is limited to 40 students.
Eligibility Requirements for Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology
- Degree / credits
Secondary school / Grade 12 completion
- Residency
International applicants from outside Canada should verify course equivalencies through Dalhousie's admissions office, as credits transfer variably.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency unless they meet Dalhousie’s English-language study criteria. Accepted routes include qualifying tests or an approved pathway.
Admission pathways
- Mature applicants: Applicants must be at least 21 by the first day of classes, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, meet Dalhousie’s other mature-applicant conditions, and have Grade 12 Academic English with at least 65%. Required program subjects may also apply.
Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Other requirements
- Rabies and tetanus vaccinations: Admitted students must provide proof of vaccination against rabies and tetanus before starting the program; students cannot begin without proof.
Selection Factors Dalhousie University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic English 12 | required |
| Pre-Calculus Math 12 or Academic Math 12 | required Academic Math 12 requires a grade of at least 70%. |
| Biology 12 | required |
| Chemistry 12 | required |
| One other acceptable university-preparatory Grade 12 course | required |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Dalhousie states the minimum overall average in five academic Grade 12 courses.
- Minimum
- Minimum overall average of 60% in five academic Grade 12 courses; Academic Math 12 must be at least 70% if used instead of Pre-Calculus Math 12.
Admission may be competitive even when minimum requirements are met.
Admissions tests
- English-language proficiency (required for some applicants): For applicants required to provide proof; examples include IELTS 6.5 overall with bands of 6.0, or Duolingo 120.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Not formally required. Relevant experience such as farm work, animal handling, volunteering at farms or SPCA sites, and early lab shadowing is reported to strengthen applications and Casper responses on ethics.
Supplementary application
Complete the required Casper test in addition to the undergraduate application.
How applicants are ranked
Applicants must meet the academic requirements and complete Casper. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Interview Format at Dalhousie University
Format: No interview
Dalhousie’s published Veterinary Technology admission requirements do not specify an interview.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology
- Program length
- Two-year diploma
- Structure
A two-year diploma combining coursework and practical training at the on-campus animal clinic and farm, plus off-campus externship opportunities.
- Campuses
- Truro and Bible Hill
Study includes animal medicine and nursing, clinical exercises and pathology, anatomy and physiology. The program focuses mainly on companion animals while exposing students to livestock, equine, exotic and laboratory animals; it is accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Campus and facilities
The program is based at Dalhousie’s Agricultural Campus in Truro and Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. Training includes an on-campus small-animal teaching hospital and farm, with off-campus externship opportunities at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown and in veterinary practices.
Tuition and Funding at Dalhousie University
- Domestic Veterinary Technology tuition, Fall 2026 or Winter 2027: CAD 4,087.20 per term at the listed six-course load, before listed fees
- International tuition: Consult Dalhousie’s international fee schedule for the applicable entry cohort.
Tuition and fees vary by enrolment and are subject to change.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students report that averages above 80% strengthen applications, particularly when paired with relevant experience like farm work or animal handling. Students report career-relevant material taught by caring instructors who integrate large animal experience, such as milking cows, into the curriculum. Students describe proximity to farms and large animal exposure as a key strength for rural veterinary prep. Matriculated students highlight growth from farm-based experiences despite a demanding schedule of lectures, labs, and rotations. Students report that farm or SPCA work strengthens applications and Casper responses on ethics. Current students recommend early lab shadowing.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology Application
- Check the five required Grade 12 subjects and the applicable math grade requirement.
- Apply through Dalhousie’s undergraduate portal and submit requested official documents.
- Check Dalhousie’s Veterinary Technology page for posted Casper sittings.
- If admitted, arrange proof of rabies and tetanus vaccination before the program starts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dalhousie University Veterinary Technology
Does Dalhousie Veterinary Technology require Casper?
Yes. Casper is required; check Dalhousie’s program page for posted test sittings.
What is the minimum GPA for Dalhousie Vet Tech?
The minimum is a 60% overall average in five academic Grade 12 courses.
Are interviews required?
Dalhousie’s published program requirements do not specify an interview.
What are the tuition fees?
Published domestic tuition is CAD 4,087.20 per term at the listed six-course load, before fees.
Where is the program located?
At Dalhousie’s Agricultural Campus in Truro and Bible Hill, Nova Scotia; the Atlantic Veterinary College is an off-campus externship location.
What prerequisites are required?
English 12, Biology 12, Chemistry 12, one other acceptable Grade 12 course, and Pre-Calculus Math 12 or Academic Math 12 with at least 70%.
Is animal experience required?
The published admission requirements do not specify animal-work hours.
When is the application deadline?
Dalhousie lists no Vet Tech-specific deadline; applications may be considered before classes start if space remains.
Sources
- Dalhousie: Veterinary Technology (DipTech)
- Dalhousie: General admission requirements
- Dalhousie: Undergraduate 2026/2027 Calendar, Faculty of Agriculture
- Dalhousie: Admission dates and deadlines
- Dalhousie: Mature applicants
- Dalhousie: English language requirements
- Dalhousie: Supplemental information
- Dalhousie: Undergraduate Fall and Winter 2026-2027 fee schedule
Last updated: September 26, 2026