BSc Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour (D313)
2026 entry | view 2025 entry
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. 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. 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 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 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
See further key information about our veterinary courses on the Bristol Veterinary School website.
Course structure
Year one: you will learn the fundamentals of comparative anatomy and 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, and 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: you will complete four units which will include study weeks and assessments whilst a large proportion of your time will be spent completing the remaining RCVS clinical placement requirement. The clinical placement will include time spent in veterinary practice (currently within a 50-mile radius of Langford) and rotations in different clinical areas in the on-site referral hospital.
Year four: units in applied clinical veterinary nursing, clinical skills in companion animal behaviour and a research project on a topic of your choice, supported and supervised by academic staff.
Entry 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.
Find out more about BTEC entry requirements
More about Access to HE entry requirements
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Selection process
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
- If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
- Full information about our selection processes for Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour can be found in the Admissions Statement:
Admissions statement - The admissions statement above relates to 2025 entry. The statement for 2026 entry will be available in summer 2025.