Veterinary courses

About Bachelor Of Veterinary Nursing in Unitec Institute of Technology

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing is an extension of two current vet 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 practical experience increases in your second year, which is the same as our New Zealand Diploma in Veterinary Nursing. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to gain registration as a veterinary nurse, and develop the technical skills and medical knowledge you need 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 Vet Nursing organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand or overseas.

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 Unitec's partner veterinary clinic Vet Care, as well as 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

Career Options

• Qualified veterinary nurse (with opportunities to advance to senior levels)
• Veterinary clinic practice manager
• Breeding centre manager
• Laboratory animal manager

Academic qualification equivalents

• Indian School Certificate / Higher Secondary Certificate / Standard 12 with grades of 65% from a recognised University

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS      :        An overall IELTS band score (Academic Format) of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5. 
• TOEFL    :        overall TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) Score of 60 (writing 18)
• PTE         :        (Academic) with a score of 50 with no score lower than 42

Unitec Institute of Technology Tuition Fees

New Zealand Living Expenses

In addition to your tuition and insurance fees, you will need between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–480 per week) for accommodation/rent, food expenses, transportation costs, phone bills, internet usage and entertainment. No matter what your tuition or course fee is, the average living expense will be same for everyone. Please note that these amounts are just recommendations, Immigration New Zealand requirement is $15,000 per year plus return airfare or additional $2,000.

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