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Veterinary Nursing

  • FdSc
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Pershore College
Awarded by:
Coventry University
More about Warwickshire College and University Centre

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

This course is an excellent opportunity for students wishing to qualify as a RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) whilst studying a Level 5 higher education qualification accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Your studies will therefore combine academic study and occupational competence. Students study a total of twelve modules over the normal three-year duration of the full-time course. Six modules are studied at each of Levels 4 and 5.

This is a three-year full-time course validated by Coventry University and accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Students must complete their veterinary nursing placement at an accredited veterinary training practice. If offered a place on the degree we will help you find a veterinary nursing placement.

Each academic year includes an eleven week lecture programme, a four week revision and exam period along with a sixteen week placement block.

During the final year of the programme, all students will be required to complete a work-related project linked to veterinary nursing. The RCVS student enrolment fee along with a student veterinary nursing uniform is included within the course fees.

It is advised that students have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination before the course commences.

This course is delivered by Warwickshire College and validated in partnership with Coventry University, and is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS).

For our Higher Education Terms and Conditions please visit https://wcg.ac.uk/page/701/terms-and-conditions

Modules

Modules may include

Year 1

ASSET
Introductory Animal Welfare, Breeding and Nutrition
Veterinary Nursing Skills 1
Operations of a Veterinary Practice

Year 2

Veterinary Nursing Skills 2
Principles and Practices of Diagnostics
Applied Anaesthesia
Applied Surgical Nursing

Year 3

Veterinary Nursing Skills 3
Professional Practice for Veterinary Nursing
Veterinary Nursing Skills and Competences
Reflective Nursing Practice

Optional modules at Level 5

Animal Behavioural Science (optional - one taken from three)
Equine and Livestock Management (optional - one taken from three)
Management of Exotics (optional - one taken from three)

In order to meet the requirements for RCVS registration (as per the RCVS Registration Rules 2017), students are required to undertake a minimum of 1800 hours in a veterinary Training Practice. For delivery at Pershore, these hours are fulfilled during 16-week placement blocks during each year of the programme.

For further details about this course, please refer to the programme specification here: https://blob.wcg.ac.uk/pdf/definitive-programme-specification-fdsc-veterinary-nursing-v2-2-acc-d4041b4abf1e04fba3d3e28c20f1f59d.pdf

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated, please contact us for the latest information.

Assessment method

Each module has its own specific assessment profile, for instance 100% coursework or 50% coursework and 50% written examination. Modules are assessed using a variety of methods (reports, open and closed book examinations, presentations and practical assessments) thus allowing students to develop a range of skills related to the subject area and to build confidence in the subject and in themselves.

To successfully complete the professional practice for veterinary nursing, students MUST also complete:

  1. 1800 hours in a RCVS registered small animal training practice which is spread over years one to three; and
  2. the RCVS Nursing Progress Log (NPL).

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Pershore College

Study options

  • FdSc • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
D311
Institution code:
W25
Campus name:
Pershore College
Campus Code:
P
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Warwickshire College and University Centre has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
D311
Institution code:
W25
Campus name:
Pershore College
Campus Code:
P

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Every year, we welcome students from across the world to our college.

Successful completion of this courses will allow you to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a registered veterinary nurse. This allows you to use the post-nominals RVN, and work in the United Kingdom as a registered veterinary nurse. When looking to practice elsewhere in the world, you will need to determine if the UK qualification is accepted directly, or if you would be required to sit additional examinations (either written or practical).

For further information about the services our International Team provides, then please visit our International webpage: https://wcuc.ac.uk/page/1790/international

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
80 points

This may be derived from a Level 3 qualification including BTEC Extended Diploma or City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in a related subject (you need to achieve at least MMP to be considered for the FdSc), T Levels in Science or Animal Care and Management or A Levels including one Science subject, ideally Biology. We would consider the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry or Physics, PE, Psychology, Sociology and Health and Social Care.

Entry requirements are for guidance only. We welcome students with equivalent qualifications and combinations. Please contact us to discuss further.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English Language, Science and Mathematics.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Selected applicants will be required to attend an online application meeting and group discussion, which may take place on separate dates. Prior to commencing the course, applicants must have completed in total, at least two weeks recent work experience in a small animal practice. Details of the work experience will need to be provided by the veterinary practice(s) using the WCUC Work Experience Review form, which will be provided as part of the application process.
Other
International applicants: Every year, we welcome students from across the world to our college. Successful completion of these courses will allow you to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a registered veterinary nurse. This allows you to use the post-nominals RVN, and work in the United Kingdom as a registered veterinary nurse. When looking to practice elsewhere in the world, you will need to determine if the UK qualification is accepted directly, or if you would be required to sit additional examinations (either written or practical).

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

WCUC tuition fees are listed per academic year and will remain for the duration of your course.

The following course-related costs are not included in the tuition fees:
Essential: BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (approximately £55)
Essential: Black working shoes
Optional: International Trip (upto £3,000)
Optional: Nursing equipment to include stethoscope and fob watch
Printing
Cost of books that you might wish to purchase
Cost of electrical equipment such as laptops, notebooks and stationery for your personal use

Accommodation and living costs not included in the fees:
This information can be obtained from our Accommodation webpage (https://wcg.ac.uk/accommodation).

Sources of financial support
If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained from our HE fees and financial support webpage (https://wcg.ac.uk/page/2428/he-fees-and-financial-support).

Bursaries
WCG also provides bursaries for undergraduate students, for which you may be eligible to apply. You can check your eligibility for these types of financial support, along with their value and application deadlines, at our HE fees and financial support webpage (https://wcg.ac.uk/page/2428/he-fees-and-financial-support).

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