Veterinary Nursing

Course overview

Qualify as a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Registered Veterinary Nurse. Specialise in companion-animal nursing. Uncover new knowledge with a research-based dissertation and qualify with a full BSc (Hons) degree.

This degree provides a fantastic opportunity for you to qualify as a Veterinary Nurse, whilst advancing your own and the industry's knowledge through research and clinical coaching. You'll advance your knowledge of an industry relevant area that interests you through live research and statistical analysis. Students have the opportunity to publish research with lecturers and present at industry conferences. On successful completion of your final year, you'll be eligible to join the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Registrar and begin practicing as a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse.

Industry opportunities

In your second year, you’ll complete a work-based clinical placement (currently 1,800 hours) in an approved RCVS equine veterinary nursing training practice. This will allow you to develop clinical skills ready for qualifying. We have excellent partnerships with local and national veterinary practices.

This course is ideal for those who are passionate about working as a Registered Veterinary Nurse whilst improving industry practices through evidence based research.

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons-accredited

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). This means that, on graduation, you’ll be eligible to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses and practise as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. On joining the course, you’ll need to enrol as a Student Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Anyone considering a career as a veterinary nurse is recommended to read the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Fitness to Practise guidance which provides useful information about specific characteristics required to be accepted on an accredited course.

What you'll study

This programme contains a combination of compulsory and optional modules. Compulsory modules are designed to develop the skills and competences required for access to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Register of Veterinary Nurses. You’ll also benefit from optional modules, allowing you to suit your interests and career goals.

Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

Level four (year one)

Your first year will focus on developing underpinning, fundamental knowledge and skills to support you in progressing to your clinical placement year. You’ll receive a minimum of 15 hours scheduled contact per week in lectures, seminars and practical sessions in your first year.

Level five integrated placement year (year two)

This is your opportunity to put your skills and knowledge gained at level four to good use, as an RCVS-enrolled Student Veterinary Nurse. You'll spend a minimum of 1,800 hours (at least 37 hours a week) in an Approved Training Practice in the UK. All placements are approved by Hartpury.

You’ll complete a Nursing Progress Log (NPL), supported by a clinical coach and clinical tutor, developing your clinical practical skills whilst gaining first-hand knowledge of the veterinary industry.

Level five (year three)

You’ll build on existing clinical skills and knowledge, exploring topics such as theatre practice, anaesthesia and diagnostics, as well as expanding your awareness of research and the impact it has on the veterinary industry.

Level six (year four)

Your final year allows you to focus on areas that interest you and that will support your future career. You’ll select from optional modules to gain additional skills to progress your career, as well as undertake your dissertation, a substantial research project that enables you to experience responsibility for planning, implementing and reporting on a veterinary-related research enquiry.

You’ll be given the opportunity to develop clinical coaching skills whilst working with first-year students, a valuable skill that will allow you to progress to clinical coaching training after graduation.

The final year will equip you with a range of additional, relevant and valuable skills, to help prepare you for a successful and fulfilling future as a veterinary nurse.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential, which is why you'll receive a minimum of 15 hours of scheduled teaching time per week in your first year - this is 25% above the UK average.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career.

Further details

We’ll support you to secure your placement within a UK-based veterinary nursing training practice – there’s no need to have this in place before starting the course. You’ll also be supported during your placement by a designated clinical coach within the veterinary practice and a Hartpury clinical tutor.

Our commercial canine and equine therapy centres, as well as our commercial farm, also offer opportunities for students to gain voluntary industry experience ready for their careers.

Volunteering

Our research activities and businesses on campus create opportunities for students to gain valuable experience outside their studies. Students have recently volunteered with our 70-species animal collection (domestic and non-domestic species), in our equine and canine therapy centres, as well as our livestock farm.

Guest lecturers

Recent guest lectures have included individuals from veterinary pharmaceutical companies and veterinary equipment providers.

Graduate careers

• Veterinary Nurse
• Senior Veterinary Nurse

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Integrated placement year

This programme also has a required placement year with a tuition fee of £1,850. Please note that additional accommodation and/or travel costs may occur during the placement year in a veterinary practice. These are self-funded.

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). This means that, on graduation, you’ll be eligible to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses and practise as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. The one-off fee for this is currently £196, which lasts for the duration of your qualification, but may be subject to change.

Clothing and footwear (circa £100)

You’ll need to purchase appropriate clothing and footwear, including a veterinary nursing uniform to wear for practical sessions and whilst on placement. We’ll let you know exactly what you need to purchase at enrolment – everything is available from our online shop.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.