Veterinary Nursing with Companion Animal Behaviour
Veterinary nursing is a clinical profession concerned with the care, treatment, and monitoring of animals under veterinary supervision, spanning everything from routine health checks and surgical nursing to intensive care, anaesthesia, and rehabilitation. The role of the registered veterinary nurse is integral to the functioning of modern veterinary practice, and RVNs bring a combination of scientific knowledge, practical clinical skill, and compassionate animal handling that is central to patient outcomes. At Harper Adams University, this four-year full-time degree in Veterinary Nursing with Companion Animal Behaviour combines the core veterinary nursing curriculum with specialist study of animal behaviour, giving graduates a distinctive dual expertise.
You will study the anatomy and physiology of companion animals, pharmacology, nursing care, anaesthesia, surgical nursing, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory skills, developing both the underpinning knowledge and the hands-on clinical competencies expected of a registered professional. The companion animal behaviour strand adds an understanding of how animals learn, how they communicate, what drives normal and abnormal behaviour, and how behavioural problems are assessed and addressed, which is increasingly recognised as important to the overall health and welfare of animal patients. Clinical placements form a substantial part of the degree, providing supervised experience in veterinary practice settings.
The typical entry tariff is 120 UCAS points.
Graduation from this programme and meeting the required assessment criteria allows you to apply to enter the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons register of veterinary nurses. Graduates work in small animal practices, referral hospitals, animal charities, wildlife sanctuaries, and research settings. The companion animal behaviour specialism opens additional pathways in animal training, behaviour consultancy, and welfare assessment.
Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study or continuing professional development in areas such as emergency and critical care, rehabilitation, or behaviour.