Course overview
Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) perform a varied and integral role within the veterinary team. Completing this award and meeting the required assessment criteria will allow graduates to apply to enter the register of veterinary nurses held by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body.
On entry to the course, you will enrol with the RCVS as a Student Veterinary Nurse (SVN). During your placement periods within a veterinary practice, you will develop the practical skills you will require as an RVN.
The course will provide you with the practical, theoretical and technical skills required of an RVN. This will include use of evidence based veterinary nursing, leading to the completion of a dissertation in the final year. The required by the RCVS will be covered, in addition to advancing understanding and developing skills above and beyond this. You will be taught in interprofessional, specialist facilities. Teaching approaches will be varied to suit the subjects and allow you to develop independence and take responsibility for your own learning. This will support your development to become a reflective practitioner. Assessments will align with professional body (RCVS) requirements and utilise a range of assessment types.
Students undertaking the Veterinary Nursing with Companion Animal Behaviour pathway will study diagnosis and treatment of behavioural problems, whereas students on the Veterinary Nursing with Small Animal Rehabilitation pathway will study rehabilitation of the veterinary inpatient. Those undertaking the honours degree in Veterinary Nursing will study leadership, business skills and consulting for veterinary nurses.
Entry requirements
96 - 128 UCAS Tariff Points and relevant work experience
A minimum of 4 weeks (20 days) work experience carried out since July 2024, is required. This should comprise at least 2 weeks (10 days) in veterinary practice. More information can be found on your website here /study/1124/apply/work-experience/
| Qualification |
Grade(s) |
| GCE A Levels |
grades CCC or equivalent including Biology or Physical Education at grade C. |
| Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma |
DDM. This must be in a Science subject area and we do not accept Equine Management or Equine Science versions of this qualification. |
| City & Guilds Advanced Extended Technical Diploma |
DDM. For the Animal Management course we require the following modules to be taken: Fundamentals of Science, Chemistry for Biological Technicians, Cell Biology and Genetics, and Biochemistry and Microbiology. We do not accept Equine Management or Equine Science versions of this qualification |
| T-Level |
Animal Care and Management – Merit including 306 Animal Science core pathway and 408 Animal Management and Science Occupational Specialism. |
| Scottish Highers |
BBCC including Biology. |
| Irish Leaving Certificate |
Four H3 including Biology |
| GCSEs |
Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 including English Language, Maths and Science. |
| Work Experience |
Applicants are encouraged to gain experience working with a number of different animals in different settings. Applicants should include details of this in their application. Experience of different animals will enable reflection and will help with many aspects as students’ progress through the course. |
