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.
If you have any questions about our Veterinary Nursing course, you can now chat to our experienced lecturers and course leaders through Unibuddy.
Why choose this course?
- The course is delivered via blended learning, with specific attendance days.
- You will have access to our purpose-built Veterinary Nursing Centre and Animal Unit on our stunning Brackenhurst Campus.
- You'll be taught by our Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) registered veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons.
- Widen your career options in the veterinary sector with a further qualification and greater experience and understanding of the area.
Student profiles
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 coach role.
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Modules
Animal Rehabilitation Therapies
Evaluate the use of therapeutic and rehabilitation techniques, and the design of rehabilitation programmes for animals.
Advanced Anaesthesia Techniques
Improve your anaesthetic monitoring, pain management, critical care nursing skills and gain the confidence to tackle challenging anaesthetic patients. You will develop your problem solving skills using case based learning and have the opportunity to practice practical skills in the simulated veterinary practice.
Global Animal Disease
Raise your awareness of global veterinary medicine and the different practice environments, and develop your critical thinking and analytical approach to animal disease.
Advanced Nursing Practice
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 coach role.
Evidence Based Veterinary Nursing Project (equivalent to a dissertation)
You will have the option to undertake either two comprehensive case reports from your clinical practice, or conduct a review of the current veterinary nursing evidence available for a topic of your choice. Alternatively you may opt to undertake a research project.
How you’re taught
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 blending learning, it is essential that you have reliable internet access.
You'll be taught by our RCVS-registered veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons, supported by visiting professionals and specialists.
Staff profiles
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.
Facilities
Where do you study?
The School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences is located on Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst Campus – an idyllic, 200-hectare estate in a rural setting, approximately 14 miles from Nottingham. It is close to the picturesque market town of Southwell and has good public transport and road links with Nottingham.
Brackenhurst boasts a fantastic, purpose-built residence, which is at the heart of the campus. It gives you easy access to all the facilities on site. Other facilities include the Bramley building – a modern teaching centre equipped with laboratories and lecture spaces.
You will have access to the on-site Careers Service, computing resources, cafe and bar, shop and sports pitches. You are also just a short journey away from all the events, entertainment, clubs and societies that Nottingham city centre has to offer.
NTU's Veterinary Nursing Centre
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.
Eco-library
We have a 1,000 square metre, £2.5 million campus library. The library building uses energy-efficient and low-carbon initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, intelligent lighting control, heat-reclaim ventilation during winter, renewable cladding materials, locally sourced materials and water-leak detection systems.
Our biodiversity analysis of the library site highlighted the need to check for protected species such as bats and great crested newts. We've created new ponds, fence-ringed areas and bespoke habitats as part of our mitigation strategy.
Our library is also accessible online with a growing number of e-books.
Green Flag status
Brackenhurst campus has been awarded Green Flag status, a national award recognising green spaces throughout the country. We received the award along with other notable green spaces such as Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park and St James' Park.
During the course you'll benefit from access to our Animal Unit and Veterinary Nursing Centre, which stimulates a real-life veterinary practice.
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- 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 need to:
- undertake an interview with a lecturer.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course, please contact us before submitting an application.
Other qualifications and experience
We consider equivalent qualifications and combinations, please see UCAS course search for details and use our calculator to help you work out how many UCAS points your qualifications relate to.
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
As well as assessing your application and qualifications, we use contextual data and information to make offers for this course. Depending on your circumstances, we may make you an offer up to two grades below the standard entry criteria. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions and Enquiries Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions. You can apply for this course throughout the year.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which some students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential text books are available both in paper format at the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library, and also in online access format.
Field trips
You will be charged a maximum of £60 for any compulsory residential trips in the UK. Non-residential day excursions are included in the tuition fee and other non compulsory opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at full cost to students. All students will be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing. A valid passport and any associated visas and vaccinations will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will be required to have access to an appropriate PC/laptop/Mac (to be purchased by the student) and a reliable internet connect to access the learning resources.
All students will also be expected to provide their own wellingtons or working boots, overalls, nurse shoes and NTU vet nursing scrubs (approx. cost £15.00) as well as having a valid RCVS membership (currently £185 hence subject to change).