UCAS Entry Points
A minimum of 112 UCAS points
A minimum of 112 UCAS points
September 2021
September 2022
Full-time: 4 years
This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and clinical skills required to seek professional status as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN). Students are provided with a combination of academic study, practical and clinical skills teaching and a substantial period of clinical placement to support the application of theoretical knowledge to working practise.
Students will have regular access to the excellent range of practical facilities at University Centre Reaseheath including the clinical skills teaching areas and the wide range of animal collections including companion, farm, equine, exotic and zoo species.
Students are expected to study and complete 120 credits per year, which comprises six modules of study per academic level. All modules in years one to three are compulsory and must be passed to ensure that students acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills required to fulfil the requirements of the professional body, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Students will study three compulsory modules and have a choice of two from four options in Year 4 which will allow them to follow specialist interests.
In Year 1 (Level 4), you will develop essential underpinning knowledge and skills in aspects of animal science including anatomy, physiology, behaviour, nutrition, husbandry and welfare. You will also explore the legislative and regulatory frameworks that govern the veterinary profession and develop your communication skills. You will begin developing core clinical skills and undertake an initial block of clinical placement.
In Year 2 (Level 5), you will progress to studying specialist areas of veterinary nursing including radiography and diagnostic imaging, medical and surgical nursing and laboratory techniques. You will also complete an extended clinical placement block of 21 weeks where you will apply your knowledge to working practise and develop your competence in clinical skills.
In Year 3 (Level 5), you will extend your specialist knowledge in anaesthesiology and reflect on your practise in the light of emerging research findings. You will also complete further periods of clinical placement and continue to develop your range of clinical skills.
Competence in clinical skills is assessed through the use of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) which you will complete once you have finished all your clinical placement blocks. These normally take place at the start of Year 4.
In Year 4 (Level 6), you will be able to extend your knowledge in specialist areas through the selection of options from a choice of modules. You will also investigate current trends and emerging knowledge in the veterinary nursing sector as well as conducting your own piece of independent scientific research to demonstrate your competencies in the application of knowledge and research skills.
Year 1 (Level 4) – all modules are compulsory
Additional entry requirements
Tuition Fees
As a Higher Education student you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.
Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on the student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.
If you are an international student or for the latest information on tuition fees visit the student finance page on our website.
Additional Costs
Additional costs are likely to include the purchase of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is required for practical classes and clinical skills sessions. Students may also need to purchase clinical wear as part of their placement requirements. A full kit list is provided on request.
This programme includes significant periods of compulsory clinical placement. Students should consider the costs associated with accommodation, travel, subsistence etc that are likely to arise from this when selecting their clinical placement provider.
Students may also wish to purchase their own personal copies of recommended set-texts to assist them in their studies and to support them whilst on clinical placement. A full list of recommended texts is available prior to enrolment. It is not essential to purchase key texts as the campus library is well stocked and has multiple copies of the main texts.
Equipment Costs
Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.
Would you like to look around? Arrange a visit and see what University Centre Reaseheath can offer
Find out everything you need to apply to study at University Centre Reaseheath
If you have any questions about UCR, or need information on any of our courses, we’re here to help
Take a look through our latest prospectus.