University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2020/21 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Health Sciences > Bristol Veterinary School > Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 8VESC003U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Gemma Irwin-Porter
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Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
School/department | Bristol Veterinary School |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary nurse with that body. (http://www.rcvs.org.uk/) |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Veterinary Nursing (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
The BSc Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour will equip students with the specialist knowledge and practical skills associated with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problematic behaviours in companion animals, while also preparing the students for entry into the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Register of Veterinary Nurses. The programme sits within the globally renowned Animal Welfare and Behaviour group at Bristol School of Veterinary Sciences and is headed by a team of internationally recognised experts in companion animal behaviour research, putting students at the forefront of new developments in animal behaviour. The programme aims to produce professionals with an excellent understanding of the development, diagnosis and treatment of behavioural disorders in companion animal species, and specifically fulfils the requirements for both the academic requirement and level 1 practical requirement for certification as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, the only independent accreditation body for the profession in the UK.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Level C: lectures, small group tutorials, web-based materials, practicals |
Methods of Assessment | |
Level C: combinations of multiple choice questions, viva voce examinations, short answer written exams and course work |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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As A above plus throughout the programme, students are encouraged to become increasingly reflective in order to enhance their ability to develop clinical practice. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The format of assessments moves increasingly to strategies intended to allow students to display their ability to critically evaluate and synthesise information. This is reflected in the assessment criteria of the research project and in viva voce examinations, for example. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Tutorials and discussions are used widely to allow students to develop a professional identity. |
Methods of Assessment | |
As B above. In addition, a portfolio of evidence (The Nursing Progress Log) is collected to demonstrate the acquisition of key clinical competences and skills to meet the performance to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Day One Skills and Competencies for Registered Veterinary Nurses. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
At this level, students are developing the skills that are required for the higher levels, notably the abilities to use information provided to demonstrate an understanding of basic anatomy, physiology, pre-clinical science, animal management and basic nursing care. In the clinical environment they are working as pre-professionals and gaining clinical skills which match their underpinning knowledge at this level. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At this stage, students are learning to synthesise information to a greater degree and to be able to present it with confidence in the written and oral forms. They are also increasingly reflecting upon their own experiences and upon the information available to them from elsewhere. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Students are developing the knowledge and skills required of professionally qualified veterinary nurses. In the clinical environment, they are increasingly working to the same level as professionally qualified (non-degree) veterinary nurses and can become involved with daily administration of the practice |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
The undergraduate population in the Faculty of Health Sciences is in the majority made up of students following the professional programmes of:
For professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. The professional programmes are designed so that students in the early years are given a solid grounding in the scientific basis of their chosen profession and provides the foundations for knowledge and skills in the subject. The teaching will comprise of lectures, practical work, tutorials, seminars and required coursework. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on professional programmes in the Faculty often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example, because of the requirement for students of veterinary subjects to complete Extramural Studies or the timings of placements in Medicine and Dentistry) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
The remaining undergraduate population in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following either a more standard BSc workload or will be intercalating students who are taking time out from their professional programme (BDS, MB ChB or BVSc) and joining the third-year equivalent of a BSc to gain a BSc in one year. In these courses, the more standard credit framework will apply whereby 20 credits normally equates to some 200 hours of student input. This time will be divided between lectures, practical work, tutorials, seminars and required coursework and self-directed learning. A BSc student can expect an average workload of 40 hours per week over the 30-week academic year. The workload will shift from more directed and structured learning in the early years towards more research led and independent study in the final years of a BSc where significant time will be spent on a research project, dissertation or portfolio of work. Students with examinations in the standard examination periods will be expected to use the Christmas/ Easter vacation to revise and complete work which reflects their interest in, and commitment to their programmes of study. (Students with resit examinations will need to revise during the summer vacation).
Assessment Statement
Please select the following links for statements about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
A key part of the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing & Companion Animal Behaviour programme is the need to complete no less than 1800 hours of clinical experience at RCVS approved Training Practices (TP) which work in partnership with the School. This will enable entry onto the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Register of Veterinary Nurses at the point of graduation. The School makes these placements when they occur during the academic period. The completion of the RCVS Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses (Nursing Progress Log) and the RCVS Day One Competencies (within a minimum of 94 weeks of education) are requirements to allow entry onto the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Register of Veterinary Nurses.
In addition to the fees for the programme, a student may encounter the following costs:
Year 1 of Study
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Enrolment Fee - £196
*Financial support available*
Year 2 of Study
No anticipated course costs.
Year 3 of Study
Students will need to budget for travel costs to mandatory placements/ rotations which may be up to 50 miles from the School – Travel costs are estimated at approx £1200 per year.
*Financial support available *
Year 4 of Study
Students may incur costs whilst completing optional field trips during their research project - Amount will depend on where project conducted. May incur travel/accommodation costs £100-£300.
Some students may elect to complete placements that incur additional travel/accommodation costs (eg overseas projects). Amount will depend on the location of the placement.
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Fee - £64
*Financial support available *
*In addition please budget for travel & accommodation costs for extra mural studies (EMS) placements throughout the Programme- Average expenditure for a 2 week placement is £152 for a large animal and £119 for small animal*
Future years
Please note it is possible that the information shown for future academic years may change, primarily due to developments in the relevant academic field.
Gemma Irwin-Porter, Programme Director
email: gemma.irwin-porter
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Anatomical Science 1A | ANAT10008 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Anatomical Science 1B | ANAT10009 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Principles and Practice of Primary Veterinary Nursing | VETS10014 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Pre-Clinical Science | VETS10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Physiology 1A | PHPH10017 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Physiology 1B | PHPH10018 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Clinical Veterinary Nursing Theory | VETS20019 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Companion Animal Behaviour | VETS20018 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Veterinary Anatomy 1 | ANAT20001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Veterinary Anatomy 2 | ANAT20007 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Clinical Nursing Practice | VETS20022 | 80 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Professional Veterinary Nursing Practice | VETS20023 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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