Completion of the VTEC Level 3 Diploma in Equine Veterinary Nursing qualification will allow you to apply for professional registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
As the largest provider of veterinary nurse training in the UK, you will join a community of like-minded students that are passionate about improving the welfare of animals, learning under the guidance of our enthusiastic and experienced lecturers.
The programme combines academic theory and practical training, alongside employment in an RCVS approved veterinary training practice, giving you the knowledge and hands-on skills to work confidently as a Registered Veterinary Nurse. You will also be loaned a free virtual reality headset for the duration of your programme to help you develop your clinical skills and prepare for your practical examination.
This qualification is also available as part of an apprenticeship.
Duration – 30 months (2 1/2 years)
Study Format – Day Release (one day per week) via our Live Online classroom from your home or place of work. Plus 10 practical skills training days at our Huntingdon centre throughout the programme.
Start dates – January 2027 (Mondays)
The qualification consists of a number of core units which cover the following subjects:
- Professional Equine Veterinary Nursing Responsibilities – Professional responsibilities of the student and registered veterinary nurse, including the RCVS Code of Conduct, health and safety in the veterinary practice and legal/ethical duties
- Diagnostic Principles – Key principles of imaging and laboratory techniques to support the veterinary surgeon in diagnosis; including microscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound and radiography
- Equine Veterinary Nursing Care Principles – Underpinning knowledge relating to the care of equine patients in a veterinary environment including anatomy, physiology, fluid therapy, pain assessment and preventative care
- Supply of Veterinary Medicines – Basic veterinary pharmacology and its application, including the prescription, storage and supply of medicines
- Practical Equine Veterinary Nursing Skills – Developing practical skills in RCVS approved Training Practices through the compilation of a portfolio of evidence
- Equine Anaesthesia – The principles of anaesthesia including the preparation for, and monitoring of, equine patients during anaesthesia and sedation
- Equine Theatre Nursing Skills – The principles of theatre practice including surgical instruments, assisting in theatre
- Life Stage and Medical Nursing Care and Support – How the patient’s life stage influences their individual needs. The patient’s response to disease and trauma, reproduction, nursing care of medical conditions, palliative care and euthanasia
- Surgical Nursing and Patient Care – Specialised knowledge in surgical nursing, including pre, peri and post-operative nursing from admission to discharge
How you study
Theory lessons – you will undertake you theory lessons for one day a week via our Live Online classroom. Our Live Online classroom offers real-time interactive lessons that allow you to engage with your tutors and peers. During online lectures you will take part in a diverse range of learning and assessment activities including live chat, group chat, breakout room activities, independent activities e.g. research, polls and Q&A sessions.
Online course materials – our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) provides a wide range of learning resources including interactive online lessons, revision and study support materials, recordings of classroom lessons for you to rewatch, an extensive eLibrary, access to journal articles and career resources.
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.
Practical skills training – you will attend our Huntingdon centre for practical skills training days, there are approximately 10 of these across the programme.
Tutor support – you will be allocated a personal tutor to provide 1:1 support and guidance and be a point of contact throughout your programme.
Virtual Reality Learning at CAW
We are the first veterinary nurse college to use virtual reality and we are very excited about the potential application of it.
Assessments
You will undertake a variety of assessments including online examinations, assignments, case studies and formal practical assessments. You will also complete an online Nursing Progress Log (NPL) over the course of your training, as evidence of practical competence. Final practical examinations (OSCEs) are undertaken on successful completion of all other assessments at the end of your programme.
Learners wishing to undertake this programme must be able to evidence capability in numeracy, literacy, science, and written English and mathematics; this typically includes GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (or A* to C) including English, mathematics and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications. Examples of equivalent qualifications that may be acceptable are:
- Maths and English – Level 2 Functional Skills
- Science – City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants or VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support
Students with Scottish qualifications would typically have National 5 or Higher/Advance Higher at level A, B or C in Maths, English and Science.
Before applying, please ensure you read the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Disability Guidance on the Recruitment of VN Students.
Age requirements
You must be employed in an equine or mixed (equine and small animal) veterinary training practice in England, be at least 16 years of age and have the full support of your employer.
International qualifications
You should have proof of competence in the English Language by holding either the ESOL qualification at levels C1 or C2 or IELTS at a minimum score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each element) where your international qualifications were not taught and assessed in English. You will also be required to have your foreign qualifications officially translated into English with a notarised stamp.
Please note, this programme is not available outside of the UK.
Course fees can either be paid in full before the beginning of the course or on an annual basis. A loan scheme is also available to UK citizens who live in the UK to help spread the cost of the course into manageable payments, details can be found below.
Course Fees
| Full Fee | Annual | Pay As You Learn | |
| UK | £13,000 | £5,200 at the start of the programme £5,200 at the start of year 2 £2,600 at the start of year 3 |
£473 per month |
Awarding body fees*
In addition to the course fees, awarding body fees are payable as below:
RCVS Enrolment: £228
VetSkill Enrolment: £264
Theory exam x 6 at £39 each: £234
OSCE fee: £995
Exam fees are charged at cost and invoiced on receipt of a booking. All fees should be settled in accordance with our standard terms of payment. All practical examination fees must be settled in advance of any exam entry being processed.
Awarding Body Fees are payable separately and are not included in the course fee. RCVS and all awarding body fees (including examination fees) are recharged at cost and may be subject to change.
Remote examination invigilation
If as student chooses to undertake a remotely invigilated resit exam, there is an additional fee of £30 on top of the normal exam fee which is payable by phone in advance of any booking being processed.
Payment Options
Payment in full
You can pay the course fee in one single payment before the course begins.
Paying annually
You can pay the course fees annually, with the first payment being made before the course begins.
Loan options
CAW Loans2Learn
The CAW Loans2Learn scheme is a personal loan that can help you to spread the cost of your course into manageable payments over a period of up to 5 years. The loan can be used to fully or partially cover your course fees (but does not cover any awarding body fees, such as enrolment and examination fees). More information can be found here.
LOAN CALCULATOR
The current rate of interest for a CAW Loans2Learn is 9%. Click on the calculator icon to calculate your monthly repayment options based on different repayment term lengths.
Sources of financial help can be found on our student finance page. Before making any financial decision it is recommended that you seek advice from an independent source, for example the Money Advice Service.
If you have not achieved your qualification by the planned end date detailed in your individual learning plan, continued support and course access is available by paying monthly direct debit payments, or applying for a supplementary or increased loan, until certification is achieved.
These are current figures and may be subject to change. The differences in course fees reflect the level of funding that is available as a result of government policies and priorities. These may be as a result of age, employment status, previous education achievements, or location for example, and are outside the control of The College of Animal Welfare.
On completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Equine Veterinary Nursing and the required number of hours of veterinary nursing training, you will be eligible to apply to join the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) Register of Veterinary Nurses and use the post nominal term, RVN. Entry on the register allows you to legally practise as a veterinary nurse under the direction of a veterinary surgeon.
