Study Veterinary Nursing at University

• Attendance: Full time.
• Duration: Four years.
• Location: Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire), Leeds or North London.
• Number 1 in the UK for Veterinary Nursing (National Student Survey 2024).
• BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing with Foundation Year programme also available at our Huntingdon centre, which offers students an alternative entry pathway onto the BSc programme.

All modules are compulsory and are taught in semesters, with three semesters per year. Over the course of the degree programme, you will undertake the following modules:

Year 1:

• Body Systems (Gastrointestinal and Integument)
• Professional Development (Legal & Professional)
• Fundamentals of Working in a Veterinary Environment
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Year 2:

• Body Systems (Urogenital & Theatre Practice)
• Body Systems (Musculoskeletal, Endocrine and Radiography)
• Professional Development (Evidenced-based Veterinary Nursing, Communication & Ethics)
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Year 3:

• Body Systems (Neurology & Anaesthesia)
• Body Systems (Cardiovascular & Respiratory)
• Professional Development (Leadership skills, Wellbeing, Minor Surgical Procedures)
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Year 4:

• Applied Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Nursing
• Contemporary Veterinary Nursing (Including SQP)
• Professional Development (Quality Improvement Project Proposal)
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Clinical experience

This four-year course blends placement in veterinary practices with academic studies. The placement meets and exceeds important requirements of the profession, including the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Registration Rules.

You are offered an opportunity to choose between placements near to your home where possible (potentially a considerable cost saving) or closer to the campus you are studying at. All placements are arranged by the University and in accordance with the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Registration Rules may only be undertaken at RCVS approved Training Practices. The programme incorporates the VetSkill Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) qualification, which allows graduates to enter the SQP register and under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, prescribe and supply certain veterinary medicines.

Virtual Reality Learning at CAW

The College of Animal Welfare’s new virtual reality technology is changing the way we think about learning. All CAW students will have the opportunity to use virtual reality headsets to prepare for their OSCEs (practical exams). Virtual reality helps create muscle memory, leading to the development of practical skills and alleviating exam anxiety. Students can practise the OSCE tasks that they may come across in their real exam, such as taking x rays, packaging samples and identifying parasites. We are the first veterinary nurse college to use virtual reality and we are very excited about the potential application of it.

The demand for places on this programme is extremely high and, consequently, the selection process is competitive. Offers of places are given through a process of initial application, academic assessment, and interview. Admission tutors are most likely to be interested in applicants who can show a commitment to pursuing a career in veterinary nursing and can demonstrate a caring and professional approach towards their work.

The academic requirements consist of a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above (9-4) in English, Mathematics, one Science plus two other subjects.

Prospective students would also be expected to hold a minimum of one of the following or equivalent:

• A level – BBC – BBB, include a grade C or above in science (preferably Biology); or;
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma– DMM– DDM in a related subject
• A recognised Access to HE Diploma – of which all 45 credits must be at Merit or higher in a science or health related subject with an overall pass.

Prospective applicants who are over 21 years of age and meet the minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above in Mathematics, English, a Science plus two others but do not hold further qualifications and are able to show high levels of ability and experience within the veterinary care sector (evidenced by a supportive reference by a Veterinary Practice Principal or Registered Veterinary Nurse), are also invited to apply.

We welcome applications from international students looking to undertake veterinary nurse training here in the UK. Applicants holding international qualifications are required to have all international qualifications officially translated into English with a notarised stamp. Furthermore, they must have proof of competence in the English Language by holding either the ESOL qualification or IELTS at a minimum score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in all four components) where the qualifications were not taught and assessed in English, plus equivalent qualifications in the Sciences.

Don’t meet the entry requirements? Take a look at the BSc (Honours) Veterinary Nursing with Foundation Year at Huntingdon.

Work experience

Gaining at least 2 weeks work experience in a veterinary practice will be a distinct advantage for your application, however any animal related or customer focussed work experience will be considered by admissions tutors.

The following types of work experience are useful for your application and future career:

• Kennels/catteries
• Zoos
• Rescue centres (small and large animal, wildlife, reptile)
• Equestrian centres/equine yards/riding schools
• Farms/city farms
• Pet shops
• Dog groomers
• Dog day care/pet sitting/dog walking
• Care work with humans
• Customer focussed work experience

Further information

The RCVS has a website facility which can be helpful when locating a veterinary practice based on area, which you can find here. It is important when contacting veterinary practices for relevant work experience you explain that you are applying to study Veterinary Nursing at degree level at university, and that veterinary practice work experience will enhance your application.

More information regarding fees can be found on the Middlesex University website.

If you’re considering university for veterinary nursing, come along to one of our taster sessions to learn more about the programme, meet some of our students and tutors, try out some practical nursing activities and take a campus tour to view the facilities. Dates available:

Thursday 28 November 2024
Leeds campus, 6pm-8pm
Register here