Programme overview
The Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing is an extension of two current veterinary nursing programmes.
First Year: Your first year is the same as our New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant), where 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: This is the same as our New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, where 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 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 registration 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.
Graduates of the NZ Diploma who wish to enter the third year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing are able to enter in Semester 2.
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
- On successful completion, you’ll meet the requirements for both the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing) and the New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, and will be eligible for registration with the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association at the end of your second year
- 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 lots of opportunities to conduct exciting and cutting-edge research, including a 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
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 (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)
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply 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 full programme regulations (PDF 535KB).
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 2024; please check back again soon.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Introduction to Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Sem B) (NSCI5702-SB) | 7.5 credits (0.063 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 A) (NSCI5705-SA) | 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. |
| 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 |
| Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (Sem B) (NSCI5720-SB) | 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. |
Unitec is part of Te Pūkenga
On 1 October 2022 Unitec became part of Te Pūkenga. Find out more about Te Pūkenga and what this means for you.
