HND Rural Animal Health

This HND is the first course of its kind in the UK and capitalises on the growing demand for Veterinary Technicians as a significant addition to Vet-led teams working in rural practice.

The course is also our first pathway course into the BVSci Veterinary Science programme based at the Aberdeen Campus. It has been designed to offer a route to becoming a fully accredited veterinary practitioner to those who may not have the necessary academic qualifications upon leaving school but have experience or an interest in veterinary science and working in a rural setting.

Other relevant career options include agricultural workers focused on livestock health, animal welfare officers, or animal feed analysis. With some further training, graduates could also become meat hygiene inspectors, cattle foot trimmers, or artificial inseminators.

The course will allow you to work both within a team and independently, performing procedures on multiple species of farm and rural animals.

The course can be studied full time over the course of 2 years or part time over 4 years.

Virtual Experience

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.

This course provides you with a solid grounding in modern biological principles, including the molecular basis of infection and immunity, genetics (principles behind genomics testing), reproduction (principles behind embryo transfer and IVF), animal physiology and nutrition.

You’ll be given hands-on practical experience with multiple species including sheep, cows, and horses. You will learn skills such as, artificial insemination, dosing techniques, handling, body condition scoring, locomotion analysis and health and welfare analysis.

You will also gain an understanding of the agricultural cycle, animal health as a pivotal component of a sustainable rural business, and animal health and welfare legislation. Elective modules follow science (Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics) and non-science (Environmental Awareness, Business Management) ‘tracks’, for those students who achieve the necessary grades and may wish to apply to the BVSci Veterinary Science it is required to choose the science elective ‘track’.