University Centre Sparsholt - Open Event
11 Jun 2026, 16:00
Winchester
Veterinary Nursing Science
- Foundation Degree in Science
- 3 Years
- Full-Time
- September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
- Awarded by:
- University of Portsmouth
Course summary
What makes UCS special?
University Centre Sparsholt has a very strong provision for teaching and training Veterinary Nurses. Our teaching staff bring experience and expertise in all areas of animal work including vet nursing, health and welfare work as well as animal training.
Our purpose‑built Veterinary Nursing Centre boasts radiology, consultation preparation and theatre rooms and all the equipment veterinary nurses use on a daily basis. In addition, our BIAZA‑accredited Animal Health and Welfare Research Centre is stocked with a diverse and extensive range of animals that allows you to develop your practical animal handling and husbandry skills.
At UCS, we partner with over 50 local registered training veterinary practices to provide invaluable professional experiences. Guest lectures, conference trips and networking opportunities give you first hand insight into the industry and help you build networks that pave the way into your veterinary nursing career. A veterinary nursing course can lead you to a variety of fulfilling career paths, including veterinary nursing in general, specialist or referral practice; animal health and conservation; education; insurance for animal health companies; work for organisations and charities such as the RSPCA; teaching and research in Veterinary Nursing.
What Makes This Course Unique?
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Offering a scientific and innovative approach to the veterinary nursing industry, it combines concepts of scientific principles with clinical skills to prepare graduates for real‑world challenges.
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Beautiful 183‑hectare campus with purpose‑built state‑of‑the‑art Veterinary Nursing Centre, designed to expand and grow student expertise to meet industry standards in veterinary nursing and animal welfare.
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Cutting‑edge science laboratories for students to undertake detailed research and analysis relating to the wider veterinary industry.
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Our expert tutors bring a wealth of practical experience, to prepare you for your veterinary nursing career.
What will I learn?
Throughout the course you will be taught a wide range of science‑based subjects, vital in developing your knowledge of diverse topics of companion animal nursing including anatomy and physiology, analytical techniques, anaesthesia, pharmacology and animal behaviour.
Practical learning to ensure you graduate with career confidence:
- Practical learning is at the heart of this programme, with a range of laboratory sessions, animal handling and clinical practicals all designed to develop the essential skills for a registered veterinary nurse and ensure you are meeting the RCVS Day One Competencies and Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses.
How will I be assessed?
Our assessments mirror the challenges you will face in your career, combining academic depth with practical application. While you are working within the clinical environment, you will also be assessed in the competencies needed for a career as a veterinary nurse.
Focused on Your Future:
This course will enable you to work as a RVN within the companion animal profession in general practice. Veterinary nursing is a diverse and satisfying career with many opportunities to work within patient rehabilitation, specialised referral hospitals, equine practice, the pharmaceutical industry, zoological/wildlife parks and in education.
How our graduates are shaping the future:
- Working in a variety of careers within the veterinary industry, including specialist or referral practice, animal health and conservation, education, charitable organisations and wider research within veterinary nursing.
Modules
Course Modules*
YEAR ONE – SOLID FOUNDATIONS
Diagnostic Techniques
Applied Anatomy
Graduate Skills
Principles of Veterinary Nursing Care
YEAR TWO – GET JOB‑READY
Surgical Nursing and Anaesthetic Management
Applied Nursing Principles
YEAR THREE – EMBRACE CHALLENGE
Veterinary Nursing Clinical Skills
Veterinary Sustainability and Resilience
Plus choice of one optional module from:
– Animal Behaviour
– Emergency and Intensive Nursing Care
– Exotic Nursing Care
*subject to change and demand
Assessment method
Assessment is through a combination of coursework, including laboratory investigations, assignments and presentations and, for the elements of the Professional Syllabus, closed book examinations. Whilst on placement you will also complete a Nursing Progress Log to evidence practical competencies and on your return to college you will undertake a practical clinical examination.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Veterinary Surgeons, Royal College of
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
- International does not have vacancies
- EU does not have vacancies
- United Kingdom does not have vacancies
Apply by
13 January 2027
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:
- S34
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelCCC
Minimum of 2 A Levels at Grade C or above, including a relevant subject/science at C or above.
T LevelPass (C and above)
In a relevant subject/science.
Access to HE DiplomaMerit: 45
Merit profile in a relevant subject, including a minimum of 15 credits at Merit in science based units.
Scottish Advanced HigherBB
Including one in a relevant subject/science.
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 24
Including a relevant subject/science and one other at H4 or above with Maths and English at S3 if no GCSE or equivalent.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)MMM
In a relevant subject/science.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)H3H3H3H3
Including one in a relevant subject/science.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended DiplomaMMM
In a relevant subject/science.
UCAS TariffOffer: 96
Dependent on qualifications. Must be relevant to subject of study and ideally include a life science element.
ALL applicants must also hold 5 GCSE's at grade 4/C or above including English Language, Maths and Science in addition to their relevant Level 3 qualification.
Applicants must also have completed a minimum of 2 weeks clinical work experience in a veterinary practice prior to enrolment.
Students who successfully complete the FdSc may apply to 'top-up' to a BSc.
Additional entry requirements
- Other
- Five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above including Maths, English Language and Science, plus completion of 2 weeks clinical work experience in a veterinary practice. Please email work experience evidence to degrees@sparsholt.ac.uk
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Minimum scores of 5.5 in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom |
| PTE Academic | 60 | Minimum score of 59 in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.pearsonpte.com/selt-tests/pte-academic-ukvi |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Pass in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT/UKVI |
We will also accept the following qualification (CEFR B2): LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 - minimum score of 33/50 in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening Skills for English B2 - pass in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listeninghttps://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £7380* | |
| EU & International | TBC |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
UCS Bursary Scheme
University Centre Sparsholt (UCS) will award bursaries of up to £4,500 to up to four new students each academic year.
There is flexibility in how these bursaries can be used, but they are intended to help with the cost of studying in order to make university more affordable.
The recipients of the bursaries will continue to receive the same amount for each year of their studies, as long as expectations for attendance and engagement are met.
The bursaries are a part of the University Centre's Access and Participation Plan 2025/26 -2028/29 and therefore priority will be given to students whose backgrounds are traditionally underrepresented among the UCS student body.
Further details regarding how to apply will be supplied to all offer holders who have accepted an offer to study with us when they complete their 'Next Steps' registration form in the Summer term.
https://www.ucsparsholt.ac.uk/student-information/fees-finance/
Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:degrees@sparsholt.ac.uk
University Centre Sparsholt
Sparsholt
Winchester
SO21 2NF
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