Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing

Summary

The Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing is an extension of the 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 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.

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 developing research and critical thinking skills. You will have the opportunity to work on a real world research project relevant to the veterinary industry.

Highlights

• You’ll have lots of work experience; in your first two years you’ll complete at least 750 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 small animal veterinary 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
• 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

Career Options

• Breeding centre manager
• Qualified veterinary nurse (with opportunities to advance to senior levels)

Annual Tuition Fees

Domestic/NZ students

$8,400

(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)

International students

$26,415 (NZD) (approximate fees for 120 credits) Save upto $2,000 (NZD) with Unitec International Study Grant 2026.Terms and conditions apply.

Semester Dates

Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun

Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov

For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage.

For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest.

For specific semester dates by study options, please see the detailed “Study options schedule” below

Downloads and resources

Veterinary Nursing Student Application Clinic recommendation Veterinary Nursing Student Declaration_Application Ministry of Justice third party request for criminal conviction history Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing Programme Regulations Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students