Institute of Technology or Polytechnic

Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Bachelor's Degree

Summary

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

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

Second Year: you'll have the opportunity to gain voluntary 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.

Third Year: You'll take your learning one step further by developing research and critical thinking skills. You will have the opportunity to work on a real world research project relevant to the veterinary industry.

During your first year of study as an onsite student, we will arrange a clinical placement for you, and you will be expected to attend as rostered. You will need to have a reliable way of travelling to and from your clinical placement. This may be outside of your local suburb. In some cases, you may also need to spend time in other animal-related facilities, which you may need to arrange yourself.

In your second year, you will be responsible for arranging your own clinical placement.

Entry criteria

What you will need to study this programme.

Domestic students Academic requirements

To be eligible, you must have completed at least one of the following:

42 credits at NCEA Level 3 or higher, including:
- 14 credits in each of two science-related subjects
- 14 credits in another approved subject
(view a list of approved subjects on the NZQA website)
- At least 8 credits in English or Te reo Māori at Level 2 or higher
  - 4 credits in reading
  - 4 credits in writing
- At least 14 credits in Mathematics or Pangarau at Level 1 or higher

Non-academic requirements

You will also need to complete the Veterinary Nursing Student Declaration Application.

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.

Referee Requirements You must provide two referees:

One from an employer where you have worked with the public
One from a teacher or similar, who can speak to your character

Additional Pathways You may also qualify through cross-crediting if you have completed:

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.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 464 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:

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 the following supporting documents with your application.

Fill in the following forms:

Referee details form
[Veterinary Nursing Student Declaration Application](https://www.unitec.ac.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Veterinary-Nursing-Studen...

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