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About this course
This course is designed to provide FdSc Veterinary Nursing graduates and experienced veterinary nurses the opportunity to develop their academic qualification to the level of an honours degree. You’ll be introduced to the concepts of critical thinking and reflection on the knowledge and experience you have gained in prior learning. You’ll study the effects of global disease on animal health and welfare, rehabilitation strategies, and anaesthetic techniques.
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You will have access to our purpose-built Veterinary Nursing Centre and Animal Unit on our stunning Brackenhurst Campus. -
The course is delivered via blended learning, with specific attendance days. -
Widen your career options in the veterinary sector with a further qualification and greater experience and understanding of the area. 97% of our Veterinary Nursing graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22). -
You'll be taught by our Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) registered veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons.
What you’ll study
Having developed your skills as a veterinary nurse on an FdSc Veterinary Nursing course, this top-up degree will increase the depth of your knowledge in both first and second opinion practices.
It will also increase awareness of issues relating to global veterinary medicine and the importance of evidence-based evaluation. You will acquire greater knowledge and experience in the:
- analysis of animal disease in the UK and abroad
- critical care and rehabilitation in second opinion practices
- critical evaluation of the management of medical and surgical cases.
You will also gain the knowledge and skills needed to undertake a clinical supervisor role.
Applied Critical Care Nursing (20 credits)
You’ll study the different components of critical care nursing and effective approaches to triage of the emergency patient. You’ll evaluate treatment regimens and care planning, as well as investigate the emergency techniques involved with supporting patients and the concept of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and advanced life support. You'll also look at anaesthetic monitoring, pain management, and gain the confidence to tackle challenging anaesthetic patients.
Exotic, Wildlife and Large Animal Nursing (20 credits)
Explore the care and management of exotic, equine, livestock, and UK wildlife species. You will study husbandry, anatomy, common medical conditions, surgery, nursing care, legislation, and rehabilitation techniques, building on your prior knowledge to deliver informed veterinary care to a wider range of animals.
Global Animal Disease (20 credits)
Raise your awareness of global veterinary medicine and the different practice environments, and develop your critical thinking and analytical approach to animal disease.
Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing (20 credits)
Focus on problem-solving skills and the use of research to approach complex cases. You’ll develop evidence-based and holistic care techniques. You will also gain the knowledge and skills needed to undertake a clinical supervisor role.
Evidence-Based Veterinary Nursing Project (equivalent to a dissertation) (40 credits)
You will undertake a significant research project examining the relationship between theoretical and practical clinical management using evidence-based veterinary medicine. There is the option to combine this module with working aboard, giving you an insight into diseases and working practices in an international context. In addition, if you are acting in a clinical supervising role, you will be able to use this reflective report as evidence to apply for AFHEA recognition.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
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How you're taught
The course is delivered via blended learning, with specific attendance days.
The course uses a variety of assessment techniques to ensure that you can demonstrate the range of learning outcomes. Subject knowledge and understanding are mainly tested through assignments, reports, projects, presentations and case studies.
As this course is delivered through blended learning, it is essential that you have reliable internet access.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Careers and employability
This degree has been developed in consultation with our industry partners to develop skilled graduates for positions in referral practices and veterinary hospitals, as well as roles such as supervision of hospital wards and training of other nursing or support staff.
The course also opens up opportunities outside of veterinary practices, such as in research establishments, laboratories, universities, colleges, zoos, pharmaceutical companies, breeding and boarding establishments, pet food companies and rehabilitation centres.
Alternatively, you may wish to pursue a career overseas, where there is a growing demand for UK-qualified veterinary professionals in developing countries.
97% of our Veterinary Nursing graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees
(of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22).
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
As a dedicated home for our animal, rural and environmental science courses, the Brackenhurst Campus has a character all of its own. From the population of almost 2,000 students and staff to the animals themselves — cats and cattle, sheep and horses — it’s all about community. Relax with a coffee in the Orangery; kick back with your coursemates in the Brack Bar; enjoy the peace and quiet of our Victorian walled garden or Eco-Library; grab a pal and wander through 500 acres of stunning countryside.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)-accredited Veterinary Nursing Centre is a purpose-built simulated veterinary practice, giving students a real-life feel to their studies.
Students are supported and taught by our excellent RCVS registered Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Surgeons at all times during their course.
Entry requirements
UK students
You need to be a registered veterinary nurse (registered with the RCVS prior to enrolment); and
- have completed the FdSc Veterinary Nursing degree; or
- have completed a 240-credit foundation degree; or
- have completed a Level Five or equivalent qualification.
You will also be required to attend an interview.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
You need to be a registered veterinary nurse (registered with the RCVS prior to enrolment); and
- have completed the FdSc Veterinary Nursing degree; or
- have completed a 240-credit foundation degree; or
- have completed a Level Five or equivalent qualification.
You will also be required to attend an interview.
We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
