University of Bristol
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Bristol
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Email:choosebristol-ug@bristol.ac.uk
Phone:0117 394 1649
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Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour
- BSc (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Course Overview
Are you passionate about providing team-based healthcare, working in clinical settings, and promoting the physical and mental well-being of animals? Bristol's Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour course offers students the opportunity to combine practical nursing skills with in-depth knowledge of animal behaviour. By combining hands-on clinical practice with focused studies in comparative anatomy and physiology, animal psychology, and behaviour management, you'll develop the expertise needed to excel as a Veterinary Nurse and support evidence-based nursing practice.
This exciting degree provides a range of career options and allows graduates direct application to the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses (https://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/check-the-register/). Whether you are interested in working as a veterinary nurse in general practice, would like to explore opportunities in the field of behaviour and welfare for animal charities or are keen to work in the commercial sector, this degree opens up a whole range of job opportunities upon graduation.
Dual campus experience with access to cutting-edge facilities
Your first two years are based predominantly within the vibrant cultural hub of Bristol city centre, where our pre-clinical facilities are situated at the UK's only School of Anatomy (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/anatomy/). You will also spend time at the nearby Bristol Veterinary School (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/vet-school/), located at our rural Langford campus, where you will be hands-on with animals and develop your practical veterinary nursing skills in a clinical setting.
Bristol Veterinary School is home to a range of extensive facilities including Langford Vets (https://www.langfordvets.co.uk/) multidisciplinary small animal referral hospital, farm animal and small animal practices, a dairy farm and diagnostic labs, with an equine practice nearby. Students can also enjoy the onsite cafe, gym, student social and study areas and abundant green spaces, alongside our much-celebrated welcoming and supportive community of staff and students.
Take a virtual tour of the Langford Campus (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/virtual-tour/)
See further key information about our veterinary courses on the Bristol Veterinary School website. (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/vet-school/study/undergraduate/key-information/)
Accreditations
Our Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour BSc is accredited by CCAB (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2026/vet-nursing/bsc-veterinary-nursing-and-companion-animal-behaviour/), RCVS (http://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/list-of-rcvs-accredited-higher-education-qualifications-in/) and ABTC (https://abtc.org.uk/)
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Veterinary Surgeons, Royal College of
- Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
- Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC)
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Apply by
14 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:
- D313
- Institution code:
- B78
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Bristol 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
14 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:
- D313
- Institution code:
- B78
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate study. If you studied at a school, college or university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualification equivalences, scholarships and details of our education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBC
Standard offer: BBC including B in Biology.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
DMM in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Biology units.
DMM in the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management.
DDM in the City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management (Science Pathway) including one of the following modules:
308: Wildlife and Ecology Conservation.
319: Inheritance and Genetics.
334: Fish Biology.
Access to HE Diploma - D: 15 credits M: 30 credits
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/ Medical/ Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include:
at least 15 credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit or above; and
at least 12 credits at Distinction in Biology units.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Scottish Higher - BBBBC
Standard Higher: BBBBC.
Scottish Advanced Higher - BB
Advanced Higher: BB including Biology.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 points
29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level, including 5 in Higher Level Biology.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Applicants must also meet these GCSE profile requirements: standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent) and standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent).
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/gcse/
European Baccalaureate: 73% overall, with 8.0 in Biology.
Additional requirements: We only use your information in UCAS and your Supplementary Assessment Questionnaire to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
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 accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.
If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.
Historical entry grades data BETA
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £30400 | Year 1 |
| International | £30400 | Year 1 |
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
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