The City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants is an online course for people who want to gain a recognised veterinary care qualification while working or volunteering in a veterinary practice.

You can study from anywhere in the UK or overseas, subject to veterinary laws in your country. All course materials are provided online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), so you do not need to travel to the College.

You will need to work or volunteer in a veterinary practice for at least 10 hours per week and complete a minimum of 600 hours of practical experience during the course. This gives you the opportunity to develop practical skills alongside your online studies.

Key facts

• Study method: Online learning
• College attendance: None required
• Duration: 12–18 months
• Start date: Start at any time
• Location: Study from the UK or overseas, subject to local veterinary laws
• Support: You will have online tutor support during the course

If you have any questions about the course please contact us.

Course content

You will study three units covering the knowledge and skills needed to work as a Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA).

Unit 201 – Principles and Practices of Animal Handling and Care in the Veterinary Environment
Learn about the care of animals in a veterinary practice, including the signs of health and illness, feeding, accommodation, safe handling, identification, first aid and the legal limits of treatment.

Unit 202 – Principles and Practices of Assisting with Veterinary Care in the Veterinary Environment
Learn about veterinary terminology, basic animal anatomy and how to assist with patient care. Topics include medical and surgical conditions, anaesthesia procedures, radiography, drug calculations and fluid therapy.

Unit 203 – Principles and Practices of Administrative Duties in the Veterinary Care Environment
Develop the skills needed to support the day-to-day running of a veterinary practice. Topics include communication, teamwork, administration, client advice, pet bereavement, reception duties, telephone skills and record keeping.

You will be assessed through written and practical assignments, online short-answer questions and multiple-choice tests.

Please note: The laws and regulations covered in this course are UK-based and may differ from those in your country.

Online learning

Your learning materials are provided online through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), allowing you to work through the theory alongside your practical experience in a veterinary practice. You can view some examples of our online learning materials below:

• Methods of Euthanasia
• Confidentiality
• Data Protection

Entry requirements

To study this course, you will need to:

• Work or volunteer in a clinical role in a veterinary practice for at least 10 hours per week throughout the course, with the support of your practice
• Have a registered veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon in your practice who can be your mentor throughout the course
• Provide a reference from a veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary nurse in your practice to support your application
• Be able to read, write and speak English, as all course materials and assessments are in English
• Have access to a PC or laptop with a reliable internet connection for online learning

Fees

Course fee for UK students: £1,750
Course fee for overseas students: £2,375
Awarding Body fee: £240*

Course fees must be paid in full before the course begins.

*The awarding body fee is payable by all students or employers. It is charged at cost and may change.