BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing

We’re preparing our students to qualify as skilled veterinary nurses, and to help drive forward a vibrant, rewarding and sustainable profession, now and for the future. You’ll benefit from outstanding facilities, an experienced and skilled teaching team, and exceptional industry connections.

We’re home to a dedicated Veterinary Nursing Clinical Skills centre, where you’ll apply theory to practice in a supported setting. Alongside this, we boast a livery yard with over 230 horses, canine and equine therapy centres, and a commercial livestock farm. Students make the most of these facilities to gain experience outside their studies, volunteering as part of our expert teams to further develop their skills.

You’ll benefit from a qualified and experienced teaching team – all RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurses or Registered Equine Veterinary Nurses with industry experience.

In your first year you’ll develop your knowledge in a range of essential areas including anatomy, animal husbandry, pharmacy management, patient care and professional practice.

Alongside this, you’ll prepare for your second-year of clinical work placement in an approved RCVS veterinary nursing training practice, which will be supported by your clinical coach and clinical tutor.

Your third year offers a fantastic opportunity for you to advance your veterinary nursing knowledge and skills in areas such as anaesthesia, surgical nursing and diagnostic skills.

Your degree will culminate with a research-based dissertation in an agreed subject, a module in clinical coaching and optional modules to suit your interests. Students have the opportunity to co-publish research with lecturers and present at industry conferences.

Industry opportunities
In your second year you’ll complete a work-based clinical placement (currently 1,800 hours) in an RCVS-approved veterinary nursing training practice, which will allow you to develop and gain competence in core clinical skills, ready for qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. We have excellent partnerships with UK based veterinary practices – many of our students get their graduate roles with their placement provider.

You could also gain industry experience in our Equine Therapy Centre, working alongside vets and para-professionals to rehabilitate horses from injury or illness.

This course is ideal for those who…
Are passionate about working as a veterinary nurse whilst improving industry practices through evidence-based research.

Teaching
This programme comprises of different modules, which focus on specific subjects. The modular structure of the programme gives you flexibility and choice and you can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before having to finally decide which ones you wish to study.

Learning and assessment
You’ll be assessed through a mixture of written exams, practical exams and coursework. Many of the modules will be marked based on a mixture of assessment types, whilst others will be based solely on one type of assessment.

Accreditations
Our veterinary nursing programmes are accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). On graduation, you’ll be eligible to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses and practise as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.