This full-time degree course is a joint initiative between The College of Animal Welfare and Middlesex University. The degree is awarded by Middlesex University and was the first veterinary nursing degree of its kind in Europe.

You can study at the following locations:

• The College of Animal Welfare, Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire)
• Middlesex University, Hendon (North West London)
• The College of Animal Welfare, Leeds (West Yorkshire)

The course combines academic study with practical experience in veterinary practices. During your degree, you will have opportunities to gain experience in different veterinary settings, which may include first opinion practices, referral centres, animal welfare clinics and hospitals. Your practical placements will be carefully selected and arranged for you.

The degree is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). After successfully completing the course, you can apply to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses and become a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) in the UK.

Key facts

• Study method: Full-time, campus-based study with practical placements
• Duration: 4 years
• Locations: Huntingdon, North London or Leeds
• Next intake: September
• Number 1 in the UK for Veterinary Nursing in the National Student Survey 2024 and 2025

Course content

All modules are compulsory. You will study three semesters each year and complete the following modules during the degree:

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 course combines academic study with practical placements in veterinary practices. Your placements will meet the requirements set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Where possible, you can choose between placements near your home or closer to the campus you are studying at. Choosing a placement near your home may help reduce travel and accommodation costs. All placements are arranged for you and will take place in an RCVS-approved Training Practice.

The course also includes the VetSkill Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) qualification. This allows graduates to join the SQP register and prescribe and supply certain veterinary medicines in line with the UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

Virtual Reality Learning at The College of Animal Welfare

You will have the opportunity to use virtual reality (VR) technology to help prepare for your OSCEs (practical examinations). Using a VR headset, you can practise tasks that may be included in your OSCEs, such as taking X-rays, packaging samples and identifying parasites. VR gives you another way to practise practical skills and become more familiar with OSCE tasks before your examinations.

Assessment

To complete the degree, you will need to pass all the University’s practical and written assessments and examinations.

Entry Requirements

Demand for places on this course is high, so the selection process is competitive. Offers are made based on your initial application, an academic assessment and an interview. Admissions tutors look for applicants who can show a commitment to a career in veterinary nursing and a caring and professional approach to their work.

You will need at least five GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A–C) in English, Mathematics, one Science subject and two other subjects.

You will also need one of the following, or an equivalent qualification:

• A Levels: CCC, including a Science subject (Biology preferred)
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MMM in a related subject
• Access to HE Diploma: 45 credits at Level 3, 15 of which must be at Merit or higher in a science or health related subject with an overall pass

If you are over 21 and have the required five GCSEs but do not have one of the additional qualifications listed above, you may still be able to apply. You will need to show a high level of ability and experience in veterinary care, supported by a reference from a Veterinary Practice Principal or Registered Veterinary Nurse.

International students

We welcome applications from international students looking to undertake veterinary nurse training 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.

Work experience

Having at least two weeks of work experience in a veterinary practice will strengthen your application. However, admissions tutors will also consider other animal-related or customer service experience. Useful work experience can include:

• Kennels or catteries
• Zoos
• Animal rescue centres
• Equestrian centres, yards or riding schools
• Farms or city farms
• Pet shops
• Dog grooming
• Dog day care, pet sitting or dog walking
• Care work with people
• Customer service roles

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has an online search tool that can help you find veterinary practices in the UK.

Please note: You will need access to a PC or laptop with a reliable internet connection for online learning.

Fees

Fees can be found on the Middlesex University website.

Apply

Applications for this degree are through UCAS or by contacting the University directly. When applying please use the following codes:

• Study at Hendon, London (Middlesex University) quote course UCAS code: D313
• Study at Huntingdon (Middlesex University) quote course UCAS code: D315
• Study at  Leeds (Middlesex University) quote UCAS code: D316