BSc / BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing (with placement) at Harper Adams University

Programme overview

Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) perform a varied and integral role within the veterinary team. Completing this award and meeting the required assessment criteria will allow graduates to apply to enter the register of veterinary nurses held by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body. On entry to the course, you will enrol with the RCVS as a Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN).

Department: Veterinary Sciences and Professions | Duration: 4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement. | Study mode: full-time (sandwich, one-year work placement) | Intake: 2027 entry | Location: Newport, Shropshire, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1: Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Nurses, The Veterinary Professional in Clinical Practice, Academic and Professional Development for Student Veterinary Nurses, Companion Animal Management, Clinical and Communication Skills for Veterinary Nurses, Nursing Care of the Veterinary Patient. Year 2: Applied Professional Practice, Diagnostic Techniques for Veterinary Nurses, Medical Nursing with Medicines, Research Skills and Evidence Based Veterinary Nursing, Requirements for Professional Registration - Phase 2, Anaesthesia and Theatre Practices. Year 3 is the placement year. Year 4: Veterinary Nursing Dissertation and Academic Skills, Collaborative Problem Solving in the Veterinary Industry, The Consulting Veterinary Nurse, Introduction to Clinical Specialisms in Veterinary Nursing, Requirements for Professional Registration - Phase 3.

Career pathways

Veterinary nursing is a career with lots of job satisfaction and there is a strong demand for registered veterinary nurses. Although the majority of RVNs work in general practice there are increasing opportunities for specialisation in different areas, such as patient rehabilitation and companion animal behaviour.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

96 - 128 UCAS Tariff Points and relevant work experience; A minimum of 4 weeks (20 days) work experience carried out since July 2024, is required. This should comprise at least 2 weeks (10 days) in veterinary practice. More information can be found on our Work Experience page.; GCE A Levels: grades CCC or equivalent including Biology or Physical Education at grade C.; Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma: DDM (1080 GLH). This must be in a Science subject area and we do not accept Equine Management or Equine Science versions of this qualification.; City & Guilds Advanced Extended Technical Diploma: DDM (1080 GLH). For the Animal Management course we require the following modules to be taken: Fundamentals of Science, Chemistry for Biological Technicians, Cell Biology and Genetics, and Biochemistry and Microbiology. We do not accept Equine Management or Equine Science versions of this qualification; T-Level: T-Level Technical Qualification in Animal Care and Management (Level 3) at Merit including the 'Animal Management and Science' optional specialism at Merit.; Scottish Highers: BBCC including Biology.; Irish Leaving Certificate: Four H3 including Biology; GCSEs: Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 including English Language, Maths and Science.; Work Experience: Applicants are encouraged to gain experience working with a number of different animals in different settings. Applicants should include details of this in their application. Experience of different animals will enable reflection and will help with many aspects as students’ progress through the course. International applicants who need a visa: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 (or equivalent).

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,050 a year (2027/28). Full-time UK/ROI/Isle of Man/Channel Islands fee 2027/28, subject to parliamentary approval. Sandwich placement year charged separately at £2,010. Source

International applicants: GBP 17,840 a year (2027/28). EU/EEA/Swiss and overseas full-time fee 2027/28. Sandwich placement year charged separately at £4,160. Source

Intake: 2027 entry

Duration: 4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement.

Apply through the official page: https://www.ucas.com/

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