About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: BD71(A)
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: Normally 240 minimum
- Department: Hartpury College
- Campus: Hartpury College
- Duration: Four years including a sandwich year (70 weeks in veterinary practice)
- Delivery: Part-time, full-time, sandwich
Introduction
This exciting vocationally-based four year sandwich degree programme will enable you to develop the nursing knowledge and practical skills needed to work within the animal and welfare industry. Ultimately, successful completion can lead to a qualification as a veterinary nurse recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), provided that you successfully complete those elements specifically required by the RCVS.
This degree programme is designed to meet the specific needs of the veterinary nursing profession. If you are interested in applying onto this programme, you are strongly advised to engage in work experience within a veterinary environment prior to application to ensure you are familiar with the duties that a veterinary nurse will undertake on a day-to-day basis.
Student's view
"It was great to be able to apply what I had learnt during my first two years here at Hartpury. I thrived on the level and range of responsibilities the vets gave me, and the experience has confirmed that Veterinary Nursing is definitely the career for me."
Chris
Structure
Content
Year 1
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Microbiology
- Companion Animal Management
- Introduction to Veterinary Nursing Science
- Professional Veterinary Nursing Practice
- Veterinary Nursing Placement
Year 2
- Diagnostic Techniques
- Applied Veterinary Nursing Care
- Small Animal Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacy Management
- Reflective Veterinary Nursing Practice
- Veterinary Nursing Placement
Year 3
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
- The Professional Veterinary Nurse
- Veterinary Practice Management
- Developments in Animal Science
- Independent Research
- Dissertation
Special Features
Placements
Veterinary Nursing Science students working towards their Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) qualifications undertake seventy weeks of work placement training during their degree programme. This training is carried out at various approved RCVS Training Practices across the United Kingdom. During your work placement, a Hartpury Internal Verifier will visit you in practice to see how you are progressing and provide guidance and support to you and your Assessor; this will be either a veterinary surgeon or qualified veterinary nurse.
Study facilities
- Pets Barn Animal Hospital
- Animal Science Centre
- Well-stocked Animal House
- Aquariums
- Vivariums
- Aviaries
- Fully-equipped Equine Operating Theatre
- Gloucestershire Wildlife Rescue Centre
- Grooming Parlour
- Small Animal House
- Equine Veterinary and Therapy Centre
Careers/further study
Successful completion of the degree can lead you directly into Veterinary Nursing. Recent graduates have gained employment as Head Veterinary Nurses directly after completing their studies at Hartpury. You may choose to specialise and undertake further study in areas such as medical or surgical nursing. Employment opportunities within the pharmaceutical industries or animal welfare organisations are also popular options.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating - includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about working in the veterinary sector from the British Veterinary Association's website
Useful links
UWE careers - graduate occupations
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
This is a very specialised degree programme, therefore please come along to one of our Open Days to discuss the focused course design with a member of the Veterinary Nursing team. We also recommend that you engage in work experience within a veterinary environment prior to application to ensure you are familiar with the duties that a veterinary nurse will undertake on a day-to-day basis.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011