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 the our old New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, you 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-option 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
Programme Structure
The programme structure for the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing in 2024 is:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | NSCI5705-SA Animal Clinical Care (Sem A) Class number(s): 1732, 1733 or 1165 7.5 credits | NSCI6101-SA Veterinary Medical and Surgical Care Practicum (Sem A) Class number(s): 1905, 1273 or 1277 15 credits | NSCI7101 Global Issues in Animal Welfare Class number(s): 1691, 1692 or 1693 15 credits |
| Course 2 | NSCI5710-SA Clinical Animal Care Practicum (Sem A) Class number(s): 1738, 1258 or 1867 15 credits | NSCI6104-SA Veterinary Medical and Surgical Care (Sem A) Class number(s): 1734, 1274 or 1278 15 credits | NSCI6730 Research Methods Class number(s): 1683, 1685 or 1684 15 credits |
| Course 3 | NSCI5712 Introduction to Veterinary Clinical Practice Class number(s): 1739, 1259 or 1166 15 credits | NSCI6300 Veterinary Anaesthesia Class number(s): 1275, 1868 or 1279 15 credits | NSCI7731-SA Negotiated Research-SA/SB (Sem A) Class number(s): 1768, 1769, 1695, 5694, 5693 or 5695 15 credits |
| Course 4 | NSCI5720-SA Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (Sem A) Class number(s): 1740, 1256, 1257 or 1167 7.5 credits | NSCI6504 Veterinary Laboratory Procedures Class number(s): 1869, 1280 or 1276 15 credits | Elective Level 6 or 7 15 credits |
| Course 5 | NSCI5738 Principles of Animal Husbandry Class number(s): 1679, 1680, 1681 or 1168 15 credits | ||
| Course 6 | NSCI5702 Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare Class number(s): 5814, 5815, 5811 or 5172 15 credits | NSCI6101-SB Veterinary Medical and Surgical Care Practicum (Sem B) Class number(s): 5286, 5995 or 5290 15 credits | NSCI7109 Evidence-Based Veterinary Nursing Class number(s): 5690, 5691 or 5692 15 credits |
| Course 7 | NSCI5705-SB Animal Clinical Care (Sem B) Class number(s): 5269, 5803 or 5174 7.5 credits | NSCI6102 Animal Disease and Pharmacology Class number(s): 5287, 5291 or 5825 15 credits | NSCI7421 One Health Class number(s): 5835, 5807 or 5808 15 credits |
| Course 8 | NSCI5710-SB Clinical Animal Care Practicum (Sem B) Class number(s): 5812, 5943 or 5270 15 credits | NSCI6103 Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Class number(s): 5292, 5826 or 5288 15 credits | NSCI7731-SB Negotiated Research-SA/SB (Sem B) Class number(s): 1770, 1771, 1772, 5828, 5827 or 5829 15 credits |
| Course 9 | NSCI5711 Veterinary Anaesthetic and Surgical Procedures Class number(s): 5816, 5271 or 5175 15 credits | NSCI6104-SB Veterinary Medical and Surgical Care (Sem B) Class number(s): 5804, 5293 or 5289 15 credits | Elective Level 6 or 7 15 credits |
| Course 10 | NSCI5720-SB Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (Sem B) Class number(s): 5813, 5272, 5273 or 5176 7.5 credits | ||
This example programme overview is a guide only and assumes full-time study. Please check timetables carefully as not every course is offered each semester. Programme requirements and class numbers are subject to change.
Admission requirements
What you will need to study this programme.
Domestic students
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:
- New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant) (cross-crediting available) or
- New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) (cross-crediting available).
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?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
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:
- Referee details form
- Ministry of Justice criminal conviction history form (only if you already live in New Zealand)
- Medical declaration form
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 337 KB)
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
| 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. |
