2024 entry
BSc Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour (D313)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: BBC
A-level contextual offer:
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Full time: UCAS.
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£29,300 per year, international students
For veterinary nursing trainees there is a registration fee paid to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons when you enrol which was £196 in 2020/21. During your practical training you are expected to wear a uniform. There will be the opportunity to order and purchase uniforms during your first year before going out to placement. Transport and accommodation costs may be incurred as a result of placements.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Your degree will enable you to apply to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. We are also the only veterinary nursing higher education provider to offer clinical rotations around one of the highest-level small animal referral hospitals in the UK, located on site.
If you're passionate about animal welfare, this exciting degree can lead to a range of careers; from working as a veterinary nurse in general practice, to opportunities in the field of behaviour and welfare for animal charities or the commercial sector.
Your first two years are based predominantly within the vibrant cultural hub that is Bristol city centre, where our pre-clinical facilities are situated at the UK's only School of Anatomy. You will also spend time at the nearby Bristol Veterinary School, located at our rural Langford campus, where you will be hands on with animals from day one.
Bristol Veterinary School is home to an extensive range of clinical facilities, including a small animal hospital and first opinion practices. Students can also enjoy the onsite café, gym, student barn and abundant green spaces, alongside our much-celebrated welcoming and supportive community of staff and students.
For information about our accreditations, please see our accreditations page.
See further key information about our veterinary courses on the Bristol Veterinary School website.
This course is accredited by the following organisations
CCAB Certification Ltd This course has been formally validated by CCAB Certification Ltd as delivering the academic elements necessary for an individual to apply for recognition as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary nurse with that body.
Course structure
Year one: you will learn the fundamentals of anatomy and mammalian physiology, the underlying principles and practice of veterinary nursing along with an introduction to professional practice.
Year two: you will continue to study anatomy, whilst a clinical veterinary nursing unit introduces anaesthesia and fluid therapy, surgical nursing and theatre practice, medical nursing, diagnostics and therapeutics. You will study the principles of animal ethology, behavioural development and be introduced to key concepts in clinical behaviour practice.
Placement: to meet the clinical placement requirements of the RCVS, you will spend time in clinical practice during the vacation in years one and two, usually close to your home.
Year three: placement year spent in a first-opinion veterinary practice (currently within a 50-mile radius of Langford) and on rotations in the on-site referral hospital. You will also study professional veterinary nursing practice through lectures and online tutorials.
Year four: units in applied clinical veterinary nursing, clinical skills in companion animal behaviour and a ten-week research project on a topic of your choice, supervised by one or more of our expert academic team.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
BBC including B in Biology
BTEC
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
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level, including 5 in Higher Level Biology
European Baccalaureate
73% overall, with 8.0 in Biology
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: BB including Biology and Standard Higher: BBBBC
Access to HE Diploma
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.
Welsh Baccalaureate
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 Pre-U
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.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
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.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile C qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
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.
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- UCAS plus a Supplementary Assessment Questionnaire which is sent to you after application.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
