Do you want to become a vet nurse, but not employed in a vet practice?
We’ve recently introduced a new, three-year training option for those who wish to study the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal), but who are not employed in a veterinary practice. Find out how it works here…
How does the programme work and where can you study?
This programme is studied over three years.
In years 1 and 3, you will undertake lessons on a day release basis either by coming into college for classroom tuition, or by studying remotely via online lessons in our virtual classroom (depending on which centre you choose to study from). In addition, you will be required to spend one additional day per week working through online course materials with up to a further six hours per week developing your practical skills using a virtual reality headset. When you are not undertaking college lessons, online learning or practical skills training in years 1 and 3, you are able to undertake casual work (working in any type of employment) to financially support yourself during the programme.
During year 2 of the programme, you will undertake a full-time unpaid work placement in an RCVS approved veterinary practice. You will undertake 40 hours per week for 45 weeks of placement across the 52 weeks.
Practical training sessions are held in-centre in the college environment; you will attend your chosen centre for practical training days (approximately 10) throughout your programme. We deliver this programme from centres located throughout the UK, including: Basildon, Bodmin, County Durham, Derby, Chorleywood, Edinburgh, Guernsey, Horsham, Huntingdon, Leeds, North London, Solihull, Wigan and Stoke-on-Trent. Find your nearest centre
Successful completion of the programme will allow you to apply to join the RCVS Register for Veterinary Nurses and use the post nominals, RVN.
What are the entry requirements?
Academic entry requirements
Non-employed students must be a minimum of 18 years of age on the 1st of the month in which the course starts. Please note non-employed students who are 16 years of age or over and hold the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants, the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support or the Veterinary Care Support (Level 2 Apprenticeship) qualification are welcome to apply.
You must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C), including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. Students with Scottish qualifications are required to have 5 subjects at a National 5 or Higher/Advance Higher at level A, B or C; to include Maths, English and a Science. If you do not meet these requirements, there are alternative qualifications that may be acceptable such as the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants, the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support, or the Veterinary Care Support (Level 2 Apprenticeship), along with GCSEs grade C or above (or Level 2 Functional Skills) in English Language and Maths.
Why study this programme?
Studying our new three-year programme can be an excellent alternative to university or an apprenticeship, and comes with lots of unique benefits.
No employment required to apply
You do not need to be employed in a veterinary practice in order to apply for this programme. However, work experience undertaken in a veterinary practice alongside a reference from a veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary nurse supporting your suitability for veterinary nurse training will be a distinct advantage.
If you have not undertaken any work experience, we will consider your application, however you will be required to undertake work experience within the first three months of being on programme in order to make sure that this is the career for you. Assistance is available from the College to support applicants seeking work experience.
Study around your existing commitments
When you are not undertaking college lessons, online learning or practical skills training in years 1 and 3, you are able to undertake casual work (working in any type of employment) to financially support yourself during the programme.
Support in finding a placement for year 2 of training
Our placement team will use connections with over 700 veterinary practices to source an unpaid placement for your second year of training.
Four intakes per year
Diploma students can qualify as a veterinary nurse in just 3 years, meaning the programme could be the perfect route if you are perhaps not in the position where you can take the four to five years of study necessary to gain a degree. More than this, if you find paid employment as a student veterinary nurse within your first year of training, you may be able to transfer to our programme for employed students in year two.
Whilst traditionally many training programmes begin in the autumn, you don’t need to wait until September to start your course. Non-employed students studying the diploma can begin their programme throughout the year, with intakes starting in January, April, July and October.