BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing

This course gives you in-depth knowledge and understanding of veterinary nursing through a combination of academic study and clinical placement with an approved veterinary practice. ***Applications are currently closed to Scottish/Home applicants for September 2026 entry.***

Locations: Aberdeen, Barony
Study mode:
Subject area: Veterinary
Start date: September 2026
Agency code: D470

Course Overview

This course blends academic study and clinical placement with an approved veterinary practice and allows registration as a qualified Veterinary Nurse once you've successfully completed it.

You'll learn the competencies you need to undertake practical patient care and theatre duties, and regular clinical skills labs will prepare you for practical examinations.

Once you've successfully completed the general or Honours degree, including the required clinical placement within practice, you'll be able to register as a Veterinary Nurse and begin to practice. Registration is awarded at the graduation ceremony by an RCVS representative.

Additional Information

: Click here to read the full Veterinary Nursing course guide.
: You can apply for this course using the apply now button located at the top and bottom of this page. Detailed information on how to apply can be found on our applications instructions page.

International students can also speak with a local authorised agent in their country who can assist you in applying for this course. Find your local agent by visiting our SRUC in your country page.
: Four Highers (BBBB) to include a literary subject (preferably English) and a science (biology, human biology, chemistry or physics), plus National 5s (A-C) or equivalent in English, maths and a science.

HNC or HND Animal Care or VCA along with the Group Award may also be considered along with National 5s (A-C) or equivalent in English, science and maths.

A minimum of 140 hours (four weeks) of experience in a veterinary practice is required prior to application. You'll need to show evidence of at interview.

Any additional qualifications and/or work experience will also be advantageous when applying for this highly-competitive course.

Comparable Qualifications:

3 A-Levels BBB to include a literary subject (preferably English) and one from Biology, Chemistry or Physics with GCSE passes in Maths and English and a Science subject.

4 Irish Leaving Certificate subjects at Higher Level at H2 H2 H3 H3 to include a literary subject (preferably English) and one from Biology, Chemistry or Physics and JCPA including Maths, English and Science.
: Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.
: SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.
: Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland
: SRUC offers a choice of campus locations and accommodation options. Learn more about each campus, including its facilities and accommodation options, by visiting our campus pages.
: Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: interrnationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form
: BVSci Veterinary Science

Diploma Veterinary Care and Animal Welfare

Diploma Veterinary Nursing – Small Animal

HND Rural Animal Health

What you'll learn

You'll gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of veterinary nursing by studying a wide range of subjects, from anatomy and physiology to animal behaviour and welfare, infection control and clinical practice to anaesthesia and diagnostic techniques.

You'll work with a range of animals, including large animals, exotics and wildlife, and most of your third year will be spent putting your learning to use on placement with an approved veterinary practice.

Example modules include:

Anatomy and Physiology
Patient Care
Infection Control
Large Animal Healthcare
Diagnostic Techniques

Core modules

Canine and Feline Anatomy & Physiology
Veterinary Infection Control
Introduction to Clinical Practice for Veterinary Nurses
Essential Veterinary Patient Care
Companion Animal Welfare & Behaviour for Veterinary Nurses
Exotics & Wildlife Nursing
Large Animal Healthcare

Advanced Veterinary Patient Care
Veterinary Diagnostic Techniques
Companion Animal Nutrition
Small Animal Disease Conditions
Veterinary Nursing Anaesthesia and Analgesia
Veterinary Nursing Pharmacology
Veterinary Nursing Clinical Practice 1

Third year is spent working in an approved training practice developing your real-world skills in the clinical environment.

Modules include:

Veterinary Nursing Clinical Practice 2
Veterinary Nursing Clinical Practice 3
Research Skills and Data Analysis
Professional Responsibility for Veterinary Nurses

Honours Project
Physiology and Psychology of Welfare
Clinical Behaviour and Welfare
Companion Animal Genetics
Animal Ethics
Analysis of Veterinary Nursing Care

Meet the lecturer

Abbie Barnes RVN

Foundation degree in Veterinary Nursing Science from The RVC

Abbie has been working in the veterinary industry for the past 15 years across a mixture of veterinary practices including, referral and large animal. She qualified as an RVN in 2011.

In 2015, Abbie specialised in hydrotherapy, and has since gained additional advanced rehabilitation qualifications. IN 2017 she spent a month in India volunteering with the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), neutering stray cats and dogs and vaccinating them against rabies.

Brenda Nicol

Lecturer

Following a brief career in sales and marketing, Brenda followed her dream of becoming a veterinary nurse, studying on a block release basis at North Highland College. She was entered onto the RCVS professional register as a registered veterinary nurse in 2006.

During her career in practice, she predominantly works with small animals nursing a vast range of different conditions but has also worked solely with horses again seeing a vast range of cases.

Read my full profile

Emma Sime

Senior Lecturer

After qualifying as a Registered Veterinary Nurse with a Bsc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing from Edinburgh Napier University in 2006, she worked in a busy small animal practice in Inverness before moving to Caithness to begin her career in Veterinary Nursing education in 2010. For 13 years she worked as a Lecturer and Programme Leader in Veterinary Nursing at UHI North Highland.

Read my full profile

Heidi Douglas

Registered Veterinary Nurse

For the last 15 years I have been working as an Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing Educator in Aberdeen.

I qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2001 and, after being in practice for ten years, changed careers and started out as an instructor with Aberdeen College. Although I find myself missing being in practice, I love being able to share my knowledge on all aspects of caring for animals with others. I am also currently completing an MSc in Veterinary Education.

In my spare time I volunteer for the BVNA as a regional rep organizing CPD events and enjoy nothing more than walks with my family and my dogs.

Read my full profile

Janet Litten

Lecturer

Janet has been a lecturer for the last 20 years, working in the rural sector. Previous to this, she worked as Head Nurse within a rural practice in the southwest of England. Her teaching subjects include ethics and professional standards, anaesthesia and analgesia, animal biology and communications.

Her hobby, besides, gardening, is mountain biking - she has particular passion for bike packing as well as enduro type trail riding.

Read my full profile

Karyn Grassick

Lecturer

Karyn has been a lecturer in Small Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing since 2006. Prior to this Karyn worked in veterinary practice in the Aberdeen area. As a qualified veterinary nurse Karyn does miss life in practice however is passionate about passing on knowledge to those who want to follow a career in caring for animals.

Read my full profile

Marina McLaughlan

Lecturer

Marina is a Veterinary Nursing Lecturer working from Aberdeen Craibstone Campus (you might recognize her face from around campus as for the past year she has been teaching Animal Care and is now back in a full-time role teaching on The Veterinary Nursing programme).

Marina graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with an Honours degree in 2015. After this she went on to work at various Veterinary Practices, and has worked with a variety of species of small animal, exotic, large and equine.

Read my full profile

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for this course:

Scottish students: £1,820
RUK students: £9,250
International students: £16,000

More detailed information about these fees can be found on our higher education fees page.

Funding available:

Scottish students: you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan through SAAS. Learn more
RUK students: you may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid as part of a bursary through your local government department. Learn more

Eligible full-time students studying BSc/BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.
International students: you may be eligible for international student scholarships through SRUC. Learn more

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