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Veterinary Nursing

  • BSc (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 15 September 2025
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Hartpury University

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

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 may be eligible to apply 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 veterinary practice-based learning (currently 1,800 hours) in an approved RCVS veterinary nursing training practice. This will allow you to develop clinical skills ready for qualifying. We have excellent partnerships with local and national practices.

This course is ideal for those who are passionate about working as a 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 may be eligible to apply 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).

Self-assessment form
Becoming a veterinary nurse requires a diverse set of skills that goes far beyond a passion for animal care. This self-assessment aims to help you reflect on the range of competencies needed for this profession, from organisational skills and attention to detail to resilience in high-pressure environments. By evaluating your strengths and identifying areas for growth, you can determine if this rewarding, yet demanding career is the right path for you.

Modules

Our modules are developed regularly to reflect student and industry demands, ensuring you’re well prepared to enter skilled employment on graduation. You’ll study a number of compulsory modules as part of this degree programme. These compulsory modules are designed to develop the skills and competences required for access to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Register of Veterinary Nurses. Modules include: Fundamentals of Veterinary Nursing, Introduction to Clinical Veterinary Nursing, Veterinary Nursing in Practice 1, Veterinary Nursing in Practice 2, Evidence-Based Clinical Veterinary Nursing, Research Skills for Veterinary Nurses, The Practising Veterinary Nurse, The Veterinary Nursing Coaching Practitioner, Veterinary Nursing Dissertation. Modules are sometimes subject to change.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Veterinary Surgeons, Royal College of

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 15 September 2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
BD71
Institution code:
H22
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Hartpury University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
BD71
Institution code:
H22
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We have a strong global community, with students and staff from over 60 countries. Our dedicated International team will support you through every step of your university journey – from initial enquiry to enrolment and graduation. They’ll guide you through living and learning in the UK, making your application, visas, student finance, accommodation and much more. You’ll be welcomed to an International Orientation weekend, where they’ll arrange for you to be collected from your airport on arrival and support you to settle in to university life in your first term. As an international student, you’re guaranteed accommodation in your first year, see website for terms and conditions.

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff 96 - 112 points

96-112 UCAS tariff points, to include Biology.

A level CCC - BBC

CCC-BBC or equivalent from at least two full A Levels. This must include Biology at grade D or above.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) MMM - DMM

MMM-DMM in an Extended Diploma in a relevant subject.

Access to HE Diploma

96-112 UCAS tariff points in an Access to Higher Education Diploma. This must include nine level 3 credits at Merit or above in Biology.

Scottish Higher

96-112 UCAS tariff points from at least two Highers, to include Biology at C or above. You must have completed two years study at Higher Level.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

96-112 UCAS tariff points in an IB Diploma, from at least two Highers at H4 or above. This must include Biology.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

96-112 UCAS tariff points from at least two Highers, to include Biology at H3 or above.

T Level

An overall grade of Distinction, to include grade C or above in the Core component in a Science subject. T Level subjects considered are Animal Care and Management (Science Pathway), Healthcare Science and Science. Health will be considered on an individual basis.

Successful students will need to have obtained at least 10 days of work experience in a UK small animal veterinary practice. Successfully complete our Fitness to Practise Process. In the case of international applications, we will require a NARIC equivalency certificate.

In addition to the above, we require a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A*-C), to include English, Maths and a science. We will consider equivalencies including but not limited to Irish Ordinary level, National 5s, IB standard level.

An IELTS level 7.0 English qualification with 6.5 in each element, is expected for international applicants without a GCSE Grade C or above (or 9 to 4 where numeric grades are being awarded) in English Language.

We will consider combinations of level three qualifications.

We welcome applications from individuals with equivalent, non-UK qualifications and mature students (over 21). We may interview as part of the application process.

The minimum academic entry requirement for this programme is 72 UCAS tariff points, providing this is combined with relevant experience.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Other
Successful students will need to have obtained at least ten days work experience in a UK small animal veterinary practice.

English language requirements

An IELTS Level 7.0 English qualification with 6.5 in each element, is expected for International applicants without a GCSE Grade c or above (or 9 to 4 where numeric grades are being awarded) in English Language. In the case of International applications, we will require a NARIC equivalency certificate.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We strive to ensure our admissions processes promote fair access and equality of opportunity, and align with sector good practice. A Contextual Offer is a lower than normal tariff offer that recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement at school or college.

Further details can be found in the Contextual Offer Statement.

Learn more on the Hartpury University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Home fees for In Practice Year £9,535
International/EU fees for In Practice Year £18,150

For full fee details including in practice year, international tuition fees and additional costs relating to this programme please visit the course page on our website.

Sponsorship information

Studying a degree is a worthwhile investment, providing opportunities and experiences to help you to carve out a rewarding and successful future. We know that accessing funding, in the form of loans, grants, bursaries and scholarships, can make studying a degree possible for many students.

Alongside government loans, Hartpury University and our partners offer a range of financial support packages to eligible students applying for our courses. Please visit our student finance page for more information on what’s on offer to help you with your study costs: http://www.hartpury.ac.uk/university/facilities/life-at-hartpury/finance/

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