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Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing - Companion Animal Pathway (VetSkill)

Please read and confirm the following:

You must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C), including English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. Students with Scottish qualifications are required to have 5 subjects at a National 5 or Higher/Advance Higher at level A, B or C; to include Maths, English and a Science. If you do not meet these requirements, there are alternative qualifications that may be acceptable such as the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants, the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support, or the Veterinary Care Support (Level 2 Apprenticeship), along with GCSEs grade C or above (or Level 2 Functional Skills) in English Language and Maths.

Before applying, please ensure you read the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Fitness to Practise: A Guide for UK Providers of Veterinary Nursing Education and Student Veterinary Nurses, which can be downloaded here.

Employed Applicants

Students who are already employed in a veterinary practice looking to undertake this qualification must be at least 16 years of age, be working in an RCVS approved TP or aTP and have the full support of the practice to support you through your qualification; a list of TPs/aTPs can be found on the RCVS website.

Non-employed Applicants

Non-employed students must be a minimum of 18 years of age on the 1st of the month in which the course starts. Please note students who hold the Level 2 Diploma for Veterinary Care Assistants, the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate in Veterinary Care Support or the Veterinary Care Support (Level 2 Apprenticeship) qualification are welcome to apply from 16 years of age.

Entry onto the programme, due to its popularity, is competitive, therefore you may wish to read more about how you can strengthen your application. Work experience undertaken in a veterinary practice alongside a reference from a veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary nurse supporting your suitability for veterinary nurse training will be a distinct advantage. If you have not undertaken any work experience, we will consider your application, however you will be required to undertake work experience within the first three months of being on programme in order to make sure that this is the career for you. Assistance is available from the College to support applicants seeking work experience.

Read our advice for finding work experience in a veterinary practice

Any additional work experience, hobbies or studies in an animal related subject will help your application to stand out.

International students

If you have alternative qualifications, and would like to know if these will allow you to undertake this qualification, please contact our student services team for advice. All applicants with international (non UK-based) qualifications require an ENIC statement.

If you are coming to the UK to study 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.

If you are over 19 years of age, live outside the UK and wish to come to the UK to study you will need to obtain a student visa and will need to meet certain requirements under UK law - visit our International Students page for further information.

I confirm that I meet these entry requirements Back to the course

Application process

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Submit your proof of identity and other documentation.
You may be asked to attend an interview at the college.
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Unlike other colleges, your induction process starts before you get to college with our online induction courses, maximising your time in learning.

Data Protection

All records at The College of Animal Welfare are maintained in compliance with the principles of the current data protection legislation. Find our more here.

The College is registered with the Information Commissioners Office as a provider of education and training.

By applying to enrol on a course of study, you consent to the College processing personal data relating to you, including sensitive personal data, in accordance with the College’s registration, statutory requirements and conditions set by funding bodies.

You have a right to a copy of any data we hold about you. If you would like a copy of this data you should apply in writing to the Principal of The College of Animal Welfare.