BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing Degree with Foundation Year (Middlesex University)

Within the foundation year you will study four compulsory modules:

• Essentials for Learning
  This module equips you with the necessary soft skills and study skills to prepare you for undergraduate study.  The module looks at the core subjects of English and academic writing, the use of number and applied mathematics, and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
• Introduction to Animal Science
  This module explores the fundamental principles and concepts in animal anatomy, principles of genetics and basic laboratory skills.
• Fundamentals of Veterinary Nursing
  Within this module you will gain a basic overview of what it means to join the veterinary nursing profession alongside essential basics of health, disease, behaviour and welfare.
• Applied Research
  You will engage in a research project specific to the veterinary nursing sector, applying the knowledge and understanding gained within the other three modules. You will also develop employability skills that are vital within the veterinary nursing profession post-qualification.

Students who successfully complete the foundation year will then be able to continue on to the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing programme and undertake the following modules:

Year 2:

• Body Systems (Gastrointestinal and Integument)
• Professional Development (Legal & Professional)
• Fundamentals of Working in a Veterinary Environment
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Year 3:

• Body Systems (Urogenital & Theatre Practice)
• Body Systems (Musculoskeletal, Endocrine and Radiography)
• Professional Development (Evidenced-based Veterinary Nursing, Communication & Ethics)
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Year 4:

• Body Systems (Neurology & Anaesthesia)
• Body Systems (Cardiovascular & Respiratory)
• Professional Development (Leadership skills, Wellbeing, Minor Surgical Procedures)
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Year 5:

• Applied Emergency & Critical Care Veterinary Nursing
• Contemporary Veterinary Nursing (Including SQP)
• Professional Development (Quality Improvement Project Proposal)
• Practical Veterinary Nursing (Placement and Clinical Skills)

Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) - This degree programme also incorporates the VetSkill Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) qualification, which allows graduates to join the VetSkill SQP register and prescribe and supply certain veterinary medicines.

Clinical experience - During the programme you will spend time gaining practical experience in RCVS approved veterinary practices. You will be offered the opportunity to choose between placements near to the campus that you are studying at, or near to your home where possible (potentially a considerable cost saving). We have a dedicated Placement Team who will arrange the placements for you in accordance with the RCVS Veterinary Nursing Registration Rules.

Virtual Reality (VR) - You will be loaned a free virtual reality headset for the duration of your programme that will allow you to use our two exclusive software programmes. The OSCE preparation software will help you to prepare for your OSCEs (practical exams) by creating muscle memory and alleviating exam anxiety. You can practise the OSCE tasks that you may come across in your real exam, such as taking x rays, packaging samples and identifying parasites. Our anatomy software allows you to explore and learn body systems in details. We are the first veterinary nurse college to use virtual reality and we are very excited about the potential application of it.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods including written examinations, coursework, practical assessments and presentations.

Intake are in September.

Admission tutors look favourably on applicants who show a commitment to pursuing a career in veterinary nursing and can demonstrate a caring and professional approach towards their work.

Academic requirements
You should have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above (9-4) in English, Mathematics, one Science plus two other subjects, and also hold a minimum of one of the following:

• BTEC – MMP
• Access requirements – overall pass (must include 45 credits at level 3)
• Combinations – a combination of A-level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 56 – 64 UCAS Tariff points

Please note that preference will be given to those who have achieved the above additional qualifications in science or animal related subjects.

Mature students
Prospective applicants who are over 21 years of age and meet the GCSE requirement but do not hold further qualifications and are able to show high levels of ability and experience within the veterinary care sector (evidenced by a supportive reference by a Veterinary Practice Principal or Registered Veterinary Nurse), are also invited to apply.

International Students
We welcome applications from international students looking to undertake veterinary nurse training here in the UK. Applicants holding international qualifications are required to have all international qualifications officially translated into English with a notarised stamp. Furthermore, they must have proof of competence in the English Language by holding IELTS at a minimum score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components) or a recognised equivalence such a the ESOL qualification. Please visit the University’s English language requirements page for a full list of accepted English language tests and qualifications.

Work experience
Gaining at least two weeks’ work experience in a veterinary practice will be a distinct advantage for your application. However, any animal related or customer focussed work experience will be considered by admissions tutors, such as experience in kennels/catteries, zoos, rescue centres, equestrian centres, farms, pet shops, dog groomers, care work with humans and customer focussed work experience.

Additional Information
As our courses include online learning components, students are required to have access to a PC or laptop with a reliable internet connection.

More information regarding fees can be found on the Middlesex University website.

On completion of the Middlesex University BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing Degree, you will be eligible to apply to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. Once on the register, you will be able to call yourself a Registered Veterinary Nurse and use letters RVN after your name.

Progression and employment prospects in veterinary nursing
As a result of a high demand for registered veterinary nurses across the country, job prospects are excellent both within veterinary practice and in other related areas. Salary prospects have improved significantly in recent years, the median salary package for qualified veterinary nurses is now £30,500 (SPVS Salaries Survey 2022/3).

There are many opportunities for graduate veterinary nurses, from working in first opinion veterinary practice to moving into more specialist areas, such as surgical nursing in a referral practice or large veterinary hospital. On completion of degree level training and study, your career prospects could also expand into team leadership, research, teaching, sales or rehabilitation.

You will attend uni for lessons for three days a week during the foundation year and theory blocks. During the placement blocks you will work in the practice on a full-time basis.

It may be possible during the theory blocks at uni, but it can be challenging alongside balancing college lessons, academic study and preparing for assessments. When undertaking your placement blocks, additional work is not possible as your placement hours will be full-time and flexible to suit the needs of the veterinary practice.

All work placements all unpaid as they form part of your training and are required to meet professional standards.

Yes, there is accommodation at our Huntingdon centre (subject to availability).