Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing with Small Animal Rehabilitation (with placement)

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). During your placement periods within a veterinary practice, you will develop the practical skills you will require as an RVN.

The course will provide you with the practical, theoretical and technical skills required of an RVN. This will include use of evidence-based veterinary nursing, leading to the completion of a dissertation in the final year. The Day One Skills and Day One Competencies required by the RCVS will be covered, in addition to advancing understanding and developing skills above and beyond this. You will be taught in interprofessional, specialist facilities. Teaching approaches will be varied to suit the subjects and allow you to develop independence and take responsibility for your own learning. This will support your development to become a reflective practitioner. Assessments will align with professional body (RCVS) requirements and utilise a range of assessment types.

Course Key Info

• UCAS code: D310
• Institution code: H12
• Duration: 4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement
• Location: Harper Adams University campus (and location of work placement)
• Accredited by: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: 96 - 112 UCAS points for A level students
• Full requirements: See below for details of entry requirements for other accepted qualifications

Course Modules

Year 1

• Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Nurses (A4009HF)
• The Veterinary Professional in Clinical Practice (A4010HF)
• Academic and Professional Development for Student Veterinary Nurses (A4011HF)
• Companion Animal Management (A4012HF)
• Clinical and Communication Skills for Veterinary Nurses (A4014HF)
• Nursing Care of the Veterinary Patient (A4015HF)
• Introduction to Evidence-Based Veterinary Nursing and Digital Skills (A4016HF)
• Professional Requirements for Registration - Phase 1 (A4013HF)

Year 2

• Applied Professional Practice (HF-VN)
• Diagnostic Techniques for Veterinary Nurses (HF-VN)
• Medical Nursing with Medicines (HF-VN)
• Research Skills and Evidence-Based Veterinary Nursing (HF-VN)
• Requirements for Professional Registration - Phase 2 (HF-VN2)
• Anaesthesia and Theatre Practices (HF-VN)
• Musculoskeletal Dysfunction (HF-VN)
• Elective:
  • Feline Friendly Practice (HF-VN)
  • Wildlife Care (HF-VN)

Year 3

• Placement year

Year 4

• Veterinary Nursing Dissertation and Academic Skills (HF-VN)
• Collaborative Problem Solving in the Veterinary Industry (HF-VN)
• Rehabilitation of the Veterinary Inpatient (HF-VN)
• Introduction to Clinical Specialisms in Veterinary Nursing (HF-VN)
• Requirements for Professional Registration - Phase 3 (HF-VN3)
• Optional Modules:
  • Equine Nursing and Health (HF-VN)
  • Exotic Animal Nursing and Health (HF-VN)
  • Complementary Therapy (HF-VN)
  • Farm Animal Practice for Veterinary Nurses (HF-VN)

Employability

Currently, the demand for qualified veterinary nurses (RVN) exceeds the supply. Our graduates usually find jobs readily, and we often have employers looking for graduates we cannot supply. Harper Adams degree nurses have a good reputation in the sector, and we aim to keep that reputation.

Accreditation

• Accredited by: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
• Harper Adams' courses are approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the requirements for gaining the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Licence to Practice are written into the course structure, so you will not only have the skills and rights of a registered veterinary nurse but also those skills provided by an honours degree in science. Graduates in Veterinary Nursing will receive the Licence to Practice at graduation and will be able to register with the RCVS as a qualified veterinary nurse.

Fees and Costs

The latest fees for this course can be found in our fees and funding section. You will also find course-related costs, specific to this course in the Fees and Charges PDF.

Other Courses That May Interest You

• Undergraduate BSc / BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing (with placement) UCAS: D314 Year of entry: 2025
• Undergraduate BSc / BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing with Companion Animal Behaviour (with placement) UCAS: D313 Year of entry: 2025

Whilst every opportunity has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information on this course page, Harper Adams University wishes to emphasise that the content is regularly reviewed and is subject to change from time-to-time as required. Our courses undergo reviews to ensure they are flexible, relevant and as up-to-date as possible.