Veterinary Nursing FdSc
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 64 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): D312
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Three years full-time including a learning in the workplace year
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
Introduction:
This foundation degree combines a solid grounding in scientific theory with technical and practical learning. It is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), enabling successful graduates to register as fully qualified veterinary nurses. The course covers all elements of a veterinary nurse’s role, including the provision of skilled supportive care for sick animals; undertaking theatre work, laboratory diagnostic tests and radiography; assisting in consultation rooms; ordering medication; and ward work, including the general care and treatment of in-patients.
During your course you will have opportunities to attend several contact days, the Nottingham Trent University congress and also visit specialist veterinary practices. Your contact days will give you the opportunity to practice practical skills, attend lectures from professional experts and have one-to-one tutorials with your course tutors. Our Nottingham Trent University congress includes a variety of sessions from external veterinary practitioners.
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The course integrates work experience in RCVS-approved veterinary training practices with teaching at the University. According to the National Student Survey 2023, 93% of FdSc Veterinary Nursing students are positive about the teaching on their course. -
You'll undertake your clinical placements in two blocks, with the first one taking place in the summer between your first and second year of study. Your final year will then be spent completely in a veterinary practice. -
You will be eligible to register with the RCVS as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) on graduation from the FdSc Veterinary Nursing course. -
100% of our FdSc Veterinary Nursing graduates who entered employment are in a 'High Skilled' role 15 months after finishing their degrees (latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).
What you’ll study
The FdSc course is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) so on successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply to enter the RCVS register of Veterinary Nurses. Registration with the RCVS enables you to undertake the veterinary care and treatment of animals as stipulated in the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (Schedule 3 Amendment).
Animal Husbandry
Learn essential husbandry and management skills required to care for a range of animals competently within a veterinary practice and how to provide client support.
Introduction to Animal Disease
Gain an understanding of the causes of disease, the function of the animal immune system and influences of management on animal health.
Applied Functional Anatomy
Gain a broad understanding of animal structure and function across a range of species, and of how this applies to clinical practice.
Essential Veterinary Nursing Skills
You’ll begin to develop your knowledge of practical aspects of healthcare, including physical examination techniques, and basic nursing and laboratory skills.
Practice Administration and Communication Skills
You’ll learn essential skills for working in a veterinary practice. These include legal and professional regulations, teamwork, the roles and responsibilities of practice staff, time management, and organisational and communication skills.
Clinical Behaviour
Learn about the main behavioural problems in pets. This module encompasses behaviours that cause distress to owners and / or their pets, and in addition, those that affect the clinical management of these patients. You’ll examine their causes, diagnosis, treatment and preventative measures.
Placement (approximately 12-week clinical placement, June - September)
Undertake a clinical placement in an approved veterinary training practice.
Applied Medical Nursing
You’ll develop knowledge of nursing care frameworks, medical diseases and disorders, and veterinary nursing interventions. You’ll also explore patient assessment and triage in nursing emergency and critical care patients.
Anaesthesia and Pain Management
You’ll develop your knowledge of anaesthetic preparation, induction, maintenance and recovery. You’ll also explore different strategies for pain management in small animal patients.
Diagnostic Aids
Learn how to prepare patients for, and conduct, diagnostic procedures, and how to recognise abnormal test results.
Pharmacology and Complementary Therapies
Learn about the key principles of pharmacology and the evaluation of legislation, storage, supply and administration of veterinary medicines. You’ll also look at various complementary therapies and their significance within the veterinary field.
Surgical Nursing and Theatre Practice
Learn how to prepare for surgical procedures and assist within the surgical environment. You’ll develop the skills required to assist the veterinary surgeon as a scrubbed nurse during surgical procedures on patients.
FdSc Veterinary Nursing Placement (approximately 37-week clinical placement)
Undertake a clinical placement in an approved veterinary training practice. You’ll also attend several contact days at the University to enhance your learning, and to prepare you for your final practical examinations.
Further information on what you'll study
You can progress on to our BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Science (final year top-up) degree after successful completion of the course.
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
You will be taught through a variety of methods including group seminars, lectures and practical sessions.
You’ll be taught by our RCVS-registered veterinary nurses and veterinary surgeons during your course. Visiting professionals and specialists will also support your learning.
During the course, you’ll spend a significant amount of time on clinical placements within approved small animal veterinary training practices. This will allow you to develop your skills further within the veterinary industry. You will also attend several contact days in Year Three at the University in preparation for the final year practical exams.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/ seminars/ workshops (20%), independent study (53%), placement (27%)
- Year 2 lectures/ seminars/ workshops (26%), independent study (74%), placement (0%)
- Year 3 lectures/ seminars/ workshops (0%), independent study (0%), placement (100%)
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (37%), written exam (47%), practical (16%)
- Year 2 coursework (40%), written exam (33%), practical (27%)
- Year 3 coursework (60%), written exam (0%), practical (40%)
Careers and employability
Your career development
After graduation, you are eligible to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) if you fulfil the requirements of both NTU and the RCVS. Our graduates gain employment in veterinary hospitals, practices or referral centres. In addition, you’ll be able to pursue a career in the allied veterinary industries. Opportunities exist in research and academia, pet food and medical supply companies, the pharmaceutical industry, and animal welfare organisations.
100% of our FdSc Veterinary Nursing graduates are in a 'high skilled' role 15 months after finishing their degrees
(of those who entered employment, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).
You can also progress on to the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Science (final year top-up) course.
Excellent placement opportunities
Learning in the workplace will take place throughout the course.
You'll spend a minimum of 1,800 hours (37.5 hours per week) in clinical placement, split across two blocks:
- 12 weeks between the start of June and the end of August between years one and two
- 37 weeks between July and April in the final year.
The clinical placements will be within approved training veterinary practices. These placements will facilitate your development of employment skills and provide you with the opportunity to apply your acquired skills and knowledge. In addition, you will achieve a greater depth of understanding and be able to develop your practical skills to enable you to achieve the RCVS Day One Competencies and Skills and complete the required Nursing Progress Log.
We will support you in finding placement through our network of affiliated veterinary practices. You may wish to return to practices closer to home and we endeavour to support you to ensure that the practices chosen are regulated to the same standards as our affiliated practices.
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
The Veterinary Nursing Centre
The Veterinary Nursing Centre houses a simulated practice, which allows practical experience in a safe environment before students go into veterinary practice. Students studying Veterinary Nursing also access our Animal Unit to gain experience in handling a range of species.
You can train on a variety of equipment such as multi-parameter patient monitor, endoscope, ECG machine, simulation x-ray machines.
The Veterinary Nursing Centre includes:
- a reception where you’ll be assessed on providing clients with relevant information on recommended animal feed, worming and flea treatment along with issuing over-the-counter medication.
- a dispensary where you can practice calculating dosage rates and dispensing drugs for patients.
- a consultation room with a fully equipped room for pet clinics and client interaction where you can practice major aspects of the veterinary nursing role, such as discharging animals from surgery care and giving owners advice on the general husbandry and welfare of their pets. Support in this training environment is provided by visiting professionals.
- X-ray machines and Tin Canis dog-skeleton models which allow you to practice positioning dogs and other animals for X-rays.
- a laboratory including microscopes and diagnostic tests that help identify abnormal parameters. There is also a selection of other industry-standard surgery equipment.
- a hospital with kennel facilities which allow you to learn the different cleaning and setup techniques required for the array of species and diseases seen in veterinary practice.
- a full surgery preparation area which includes ECG monitoring, drug administration, instrument preparation, and two fully functioning anaesthetic machines.
- a theatre where you will be taught surgical scrub techniques and aseptic instrument trolley set up. You will also learn how to handle instruments correctly and assist the veterinary surgeon with specific operations and procedures.
Entry requirements
- 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications, including an A-level Science subject grade C or equivalent.
- GCSEs - English Language, Science and Maths grade C / 4.
- A total of two weeks' (70 hours) work experience in a small animal veterinary practice, completed after September 2021.
- Single days are considered, but full weeks are preferred. Weekend work will be accepted where practices offer a normal service, including surgery, on those days.
- A minimum of one week (35 hours) must be completed prior to application, with the additional week planned and completed before 30 April 2024. Details of this must be included on your work experience form or your application will be rejected.
You will also need:
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Zoology and Psychology.
If you are taking a BTEC, or other non-A-level qualification, check how your modules match our requirements.
You will also be required to attend an interview.
If you are not offered a place on this course, you may be offered a place on an alternative course.
Other qualifications and experience
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.
Access to Higher Education courses
If you’re aged 19+ and don’t have the qualifications to meet the entry criteria, you can study an Access to HE course right here at NTU. These one-year courses are designed specifically as an alternative route to university.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications, including an A-level Science subject grade C or equivalent.
- GCSEs - English Language, Science and Maths grade C / 4.
- A total of two weeks' (70 hours) work experience in a small animal veterinary practice, completed after September 2021.
- Single days are considered, but full weeks are preferred. Weekend work will be accepted where practices offer a normal service, including surgery, on those days.
- A minimum of one week (35 hours) must be completed prior to application, with the additional week planned and completed before 30 April 2024. Details of this must be included on your work experience form or your application will be rejected.
You will also need:
For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Zoology and Psychology.
If you are taking a BTEC, or other non-A-level qualification, check how your modules match our requirements.
You will also be required to attend an interview.
If you are not offered a place on this course, you may be offered a place on an alternative course.
Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 / Student Route visa.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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.
Telephone: +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
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas 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 also be expected to provide their own wellingtons or working boots, overalls, nurse shoes and NTU veterinary nursing scrubs (approx. cost £20), as well as enrolling as a student veterinary nurse with the RCVS (currently £210, but the expectation is that this will increase in subsequent years). You will receive information on how to pay for your NTU veterinary nursing scrubs and RCVS student veterinary nurse enrolment prior to starting the course.
Tuition fees for September 2024 entry
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £17,150 |
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas 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 also be expected to provide their own wellingtons or working boots, overalls, nurse shoes and NTU veterinary nursing scrubs (approx. cost £20), as well as enrolling as a student veterinary nurse with the RCVS (currently £210, but the expectation is that this will increase in subsequent years). You will receive information on how to pay for your NTU veterinary nursing scrubs and RCVS student veterinary nurse enrolment prior to starting the course.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
You will need to add details of the required work experience in your 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.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Please note this course is not open to students requiring a Tier 4 / Student Route visa.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. 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.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Advice on writing a good personal statement
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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