Veterinary Nursing RCVS Level 3 Diploma

The course:

This Level 3 Diploma provides a combination of theoretical and practical teaching from our experienced and established veterinary nursing team. Upon successful completion of your college and RCVS examinations, you will be professionally recognised as a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse with either a specialism in equine or small animal veterinary nursing.

The qualification comprises a number of core units and two optional pathways depending on your intended area of specialism and current employment, in either an equine or a small animal veterinary practice.

Entry requirements:

Five Cs at GCSE, including English Language, Mathematics, Science or a relevant further education qualification such as the ABC Level 2 Certificate in Animal Nursing.

You must be 16 years old or over and work within an RCVS Approved Training Practice before applying for this course.

For more information about relevant qualifications and approved practices, visit the RCVS website at www.rcvs.org.uk.

Course length:

The course requires 720 hours of study at college and a minimum 60 weeks of clinical employment.

This course is delivered in a day release format, with one day per week at college for three years, however it is possible to undertake the course in a shorter time frame if attendance at college is increased to two or three days with the consent of your veterinary practice employer. It is advisable to visit our website as this will contain the most up to date arrangements for the course.

Academic progression:

You could progress on to the RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing or Post-qualification Honours degree courses such as BSc Veterinary Nursing Science and BSc Equine Science.

Career opportunities:

RCVS-qualified Veterinary Nurses have gone on to work within a range of occupations, including clinical nurses in general practice with responsibility as a clinical coach, for mentoring student veterinary nurses, nursing within a veterinary referral centre, veterinary practice managers, veterinary nurse tutors in education and working within the pharmaceutical and veterinary supply industry.