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Study veterinary nursing today

Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing

Take your passion for veterinary nursing to the next level. This programme will enable you to increase your critical thinking, and provides plenty of research opportunities to develop and further your career.

Level
7
Credits
360 (3.0 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February (Note: Year 3 intake can be offered in either Feb or Jul)
Duration
3 years' full-time, with distance learning available in Year 3, and part-time options available in Years 2 and 3

Call us now on 0800 10 95 10

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Programme overview

The Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing is an extension of New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) programmes.

First Year: You can learn the fundamentals of animal nursing, with lots of opportunities to put theory into practice within select clinical environments.

If you have already completed the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant), you automatically meet the entry requirements for the second year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (dependent on placement numbers). 

Second Year: you’ll have the opportunity to gain registration as a veterinary nurse, and develop technical skills and medical knowledge through practical experience to become an effective veterinary nurse within a professional team. 

If you have already completed Unitec's New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing programmes, you would automatically meet the entry requirements for the third year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing.

Third Year: You’ll take your learning one step further by extending your research and critical thinking. You can also choose to work on a real-life research project for a veterinary nursing organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas.

Highlights

  • You’ll have lots of work experience; in your first two years you’ll complete at least 480 hours of work experience, and you can also extend this in your third year
  • You’ll have the opportunity to do your placements in interesting organisations ranging from the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine at Auckland Zoo, to a specialist veterinary hospital, to your community first opinion veterinary clinic.
  • You’ll build advanced technical skills through a significant amount of clinical practice at your choice of external clinics across Aotearoa
  • You’ll develop an advanced understanding of what's considered best practice in a clinical environment, and the ethical and welfare implications of veterinary care
  • You'll have opportunities to conduct a supported and collaborative research project in an area of your interest
  • You’ll learn from experienced lecturers who are knowledgeable in veterinary medicine /science, animal health and welfare, microbiology, genetics, and animal behaviour
  • You’ll benefit from a varied learning approach that includes practical sessions, group work, online/small group tutorials, and one-on-one supervision

Admission requirements

What you will need to study this programme. 

Domestic students

Academic requirements

You must have completed at least one of the following:

And meet one of the English entry requirements;

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

Non-academic requirements

You need to provide 4 supporting documents with your application.

Include a 1-page overview that outlines:

  • what do you consider the role of a veterinary nursing assistant to be
  • why you wish to study this programme, and
  • any animal-related experience you have had.

Fill in the following forms:

Note on referees: One referee needs to be an employer where you have worked with the public and one from a teacher (or similar), who can talk about your character.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 458 KB)

International students

Academic requirements 

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement or have completed one of the following:

And English entry requirements;

​If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:

  • An equivalent of IELTS (Academic) with minimum band scores of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 or
  • University Entrance literacy: 10 Credits at NCEA Level 2 or above in English or Māori (5 in reading, 5 in writing)
  • Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

Non-academic requirements

You need to provide 4 supporting documents with your application.

Include a 1-page overview that outlines:

  • what do you consider the role of a veterinary nursing assistant to be
  • why you wish to study this programme, and
  • any animal-related experience you have had.

Fill in the following forms:

Note on referees: One referee needs to be an employer where you have worked with the public and one from a teacher (or similar), who can talk about your character.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 458 KB)

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses including timetables, please click on the course names below.

Compulsory courses Elective courses
Level 5 Level 6 Level 7
Level 6 Level 7
Courses Credits Aim
Veterinary Nursing Practice (ANML5001TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to work in a professional, safe, and effective manner in an animal health care environment.
Anatomy and Physiology (ANML5002TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to basic animal anatomy and physiology to support animal health and welfare.
Animal Husbandry and Behaviour (ANML5103TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide safe and appropriate husbandry and handling to support companion animal health and welfare.
Companion Animal Practicum I (ANML5104TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to manage the husbandry, hygiene and handling of animals as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Introduction to Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ANML5105TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to assist with anaesthesia and analgesia.
Introduction to Medical Nursing (ANML5106TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to care for companion animals in a veterinary clinic.
Introduction to Surgery and Diagnostics (ANML5107TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to understand diagnostic procedures and assist with the nursing of routine surgical patients.
Companion Animal Practicum II (ANML5108TPB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide nursing care for surgical and hospitalised patients as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare (NSCI5702) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To promote an understanding of the basic principles of animal behaviour and welfare as it applies to a range of animal species.
Animal Clinical Care (Sem B) (NSCI5705-SB) 7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS) To enable the student to apply specific husbandry requirements for animals in clinical care and recognise the role of a veterinary assistant as part of a veterinary team.
Clinical Animal Care Practicum (Sem A) (NSCI5710-SA) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to appropriately apply the practical application of ’best practice’ husbandry and veterinary nursing, required for range of animals within a veterinary clinic.
Clinical Animal Care Practicum (Sem B) (NSCI5710-SB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to appropriately apply the practical application of ’best practice’ husbandry and veterinary nursing, required for range of animals within a veterinary clinic.
Veterinary Anaesthetic and Surgical Procedures (NSCI5711) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to apply the principles and practices of anaesthetic, analgesic and surgical procedures in the role of the veterinary nursing assistant.
Introduction to Veterinary Clinical Practice (NSCI5712) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course prepares students to work effectively in the client interfacing areas of a veterinary business, with a focus on communication and job-readiness.
Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (Sem A) (NSCI5720-SA) 7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS) To enable students to understand the concepts of anatomy and physiology as they relate to the maintenance of homeostasis and animal health
Principles of Animal Husbandry (NSCI5738) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable the student to develop an understanding of the theoretical basis and application of animal husbandry in a range of animal species.
Courses Credits Aim
Veterinary Medical & Surgical Care Practicum (Sem A) (NSCI6101-SA) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to employ advanced veterinary nursing skills required to support the medical and surgical team within a veterinary clinic and a specialist veterinary hospital.
Veterinary Medical and Surgical Care Practicum (Sem B) (NSCI6101-SB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to employ advanced veterinary nursing skills required to support the medical and surgical team within a veterinary clinic and a specialist veterinary hospital.
Animal Disease & Pharmacology (NSCI6102) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to understand disease processes as well as the prevention, identification and treatment of diseases.
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (NSCI6103) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to develop an understanding of the theoretical and practical application and the use of diagnostic tools within a veterinary clinic setting.
Veterinary Medical and Surgical Care (Sem A) (NSCI6104-SA) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to manage and apply the principles and practices of veterinary nursing care in a range of clinical situations.
Veterinary Medical and Surgical Care (Sem B) (NSCI6104-SB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to manage and apply the principles and practices of veterinary nursing care in a range of clinical situations.
Veterinary Anaesthesia (NSCI6300) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to apply the principles and practices of anaesthetic and analgesic procedures in the role of the veterinary nurse.
Veterinary Laboratory Procedures (NSCI6504) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable the student to integrate microbiology knowledge with laboratory procedures to detect and identify pathogens and parasites that cause diseases relevant to the New Zealand Veterinary Industry.
Research Methods (NSCI6730) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To develop skills in research methodology that will allow students to plan and initiate research, to analyse data and to critically appraise research findings.
Courses Credits Aim
Evidence-Based Veterinary Nursing (NSCI7109) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with the opportunity to critically evaluate historical and current veterinary nursing techniques and animal health issues using evidence based processes.
One Health (NSCI7421) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course develops the knowledge and skills of students about critically evaluating historical, current and predicted animal and public health threats in the context of `one health’, and critically evaluate historical and current veterinary practices as they relate to public health.
Negotiated Research-SA/SB (Sem A) (NSCI7731-SA) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with an opportunity to complete an in-depth applied science study using research skills and to disseminate their findings in an appropriate format.
Negotiated Research-SA/SB (Sem B) (NSCI7731-SB) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with an opportunity to complete an in-depth applied science study using research skills and to disseminate their findings in an appropriate format.
Courses Credits Aim
Introduction to Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Companion Animals (NSCI6105) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course provides an overview of clinical care of exotic small mammals, avian and reptile companion species commonly seen in New Zealand’s general practice veterinary clinics. The students will develop their knowledge of husbandry, restraint, common presentations and the applicable veterinary nursing care.
Companion Animal Behaviour (NSCI6731) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to apply animal behaviour concepts to a range of applied situations focussing on the welfare of companion animals.
Animal Health and Welfare (NSCI6732) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to evaluate the methods used in assessing the welfare status of animals and to develop an understanding of how animal health is impacted by environmental factors.
Captive Wild Animal Management (NSCI6738) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable the student to understand the philosophical, scientific and practical basis for the maintenance of wild animals in captivity.
Behavioural Ecology (NSCI6739) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To develop an understanding of the ecological and evolutionary basis of animal behaviour, and the role behaviour plays in enabling animals to adapt to their environment.
Vertebrate Physiology (NSCI6741) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To promote an understanding of the physiological responses of animals to environmental challenges and stressors.
Courses Credits Aim
Anthrozoology (NSCI7103) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To introduce students to the multidisciplinary field of Anthrozoology, illustrating the conceptual links between research in this relatively new academic field and use in understanding the interaction between animals and humans.
Applied Animal Behaviour Science (NSCI7106) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To assess and interpret observed behaviour of selected animals (in a range of situations) in relation to their environment. To explain how an understanding of applied animal behaviour can be used to improve animal management and welfare.
Internship (NSCI7810) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to undertake a short-term work and/or training experience related to practice in their chosen field of study. It provides an opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge and practice through a strategy of applied learning in the workplace.
Advanced Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (NSCI7811) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course aims to enhance students’ ability to apply critical thinking and apply evidence-based practice in the veterinary nursing anaesthesia role, expand knowledge of analgesia management and increase confidence when monitoring the compromised veterinary patient.
Emergency Veterinary Nursing (NSCI7812) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will expand students’ knowledge and skills to apply within an emergency veterinary nursing setting and develop effective communication skills to deliver optimal care.

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Page last edited: 25 Mar 2025