Veterinary Nursing
FdSc

Course summary and entry requirements

Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 5 years

UCAS code D310 (campus code P)

Professional accreditation
Students who successfully complete the course receive professional accreditation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

About the course

This three-year course is recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. There is substantial work-based learning throughout year 1,2 and 3. The whole of the second year is spent in practice, with the exception of a one-week college-based module. The course is suitable for unqualified veterinary nurses, student nurses who would like to train whilst in part-time employment and students seeking to enter the field who will be provided with non-paid placements.
The college has excellent practical resources including a well-equipped animal care unit, and a veterinary practice suite containing diagnostic, anaesthetic, laboratory, medical and surgical equipment.

Typical entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. Individual offers may vary
UCAS tariff:
120 points, from an A-level, Advanced GNVQ or BTEC National Diploma in a relevant subject, ie biology. Level 3 Key Skills will count towards the tariff score. Excluding General Studies.
International Baccalaureate:
24 points, certificates considered.
Access to HE diploma:
acceptable.
GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access equivalent:
at least five subjects including English language and mathematics and science, or key skills level 2 equivalents.
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 5.5 overall, 6.0 in writing.
Other:
We welcome applications from mature students who may not have the minimum academic qualifications. Their eligibility for entry will be assessed at interview using portfolio evidence and employer references.
Course content

Course structure

Modules are delivered through a mixture of lectures, laboratory-based practicals, group workshops and work-related activities.

Areas of study

Year 1 includes anatomy and physiology modules which develop your understanding of animal structure and function. Small animal nursing provides theory and training in theatre practice, sterilisation, patient care and intra and post-operative care, while animal reproduction covers theoretical reproduction of small animals and also teaches related clinical and/theatre skills. During the first year, you will spend two days a week in practice.
In the second year, an intensive nursing module will prepare you for your placement year. The placement year allows you to consolidate your theoretical knowledge and practical skills and to continue working on your nursing portfolio. It also allows you to accumulate hours towards the 2450 work placement hours required by the RCVS in order to be eligible to list as a qualified veterinary nurse.
In the third year, you will gain a greater understanding of a variety of veterinary disciplines and can choose options which allow specialisation in laboratory work, wildlife conservation and behaviour counselling. Students receive extensive theory and practical instruction in laboratory, diagnostic imaging techniques and anaesthesia. You will spend two days a week in practice completing your final portfolio cases and work placement hours.
Students are required to sit RCVS examinations at the end of their first and third year.

Syllabus

Year 1
Work placement
Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
Small Animal Nursing
Maintaining the Veterinary Practice
Veterinary Animal Health
Health and Safety in Veterinary Practice
Veterinary Practice Management
Veterinary Animal Reproduction
Veterinary Animal Nutrition
Options (subject to demand)
Animal Behaviour
Animal Diversity and Evolution
Chemistry
Cell Biology and Genetics
Animal Husbandry
Year 2
Application of Veterinary Nursing Models
Work placement
Year 3
Practical Veterinary Radiography
Veterinary Surgical and Theatre Procedure
Pharmacology in Veterinary Practice
Project
Veterinary Nursing Models
Anaesthesia in Veterinary Practice
Applied Veterinary Animal Health
Options (subject to demand)
Companion Animal Counselling
Animals in Captivity
Career Development
Application of Animal Behaviour
Wildlife Conservation
Animal Adaptations
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Practical Veterinary Radiography

You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

Programme Specification
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

FdSc Veterinary Nursing

Please contact us directly for exact tuition fees for this course.
Location

Location Plumpton College

View map
Career opportunities

This course is designed to develop the professional role of the veterinary nurse within practice. Options open to graduates include a range of specialist roles in veterinary nursing and further study.

Visit the careers service website.
More...

This course is indirectly funded by the University of Brighton. This means that you will be taught at Plumpton College and have access to all the facllities and support the college offers.

You will also have access to student services and support offered by the University of Brighton, including: sports and learning facilities on all campuses; membership of student societies and sports teams; student advice services and financial support including income-related bursaries and university scholarships.