FdSc Veterinary Nursing and Applied Animal Behaviour

Start year: September 2020

Course length: 3 years

Campus: Cambridge

Accredited by: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

This programme combines the practical training and work experience required to become an RCVS registered veterinary nurse, alongside a broader programme of study for Foundation Degree.

Students will receive a thorough training in scientific theory and principles with an emphasis on the study of animal behaviour and animal welfare. In addition, students will be required to develop extensive work-based skills during an extended period of placement within RCVS approved veterinary training practices.

Applicants must have a genuine interest in animal health and welfare. They must be keen to learn how to provide expert nursing care for domestic animals as well as education and support for their owners. They should have a clear understanding of the range of practical work required in a veterinary surgery (preferably via work experience), be a good communicator and enjoy teamwork.

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COURSE AIMS

• For the student to acquire and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles underpinning Veterinary Nursing and Applied Animal Behaviour

• To demonstrate the ability to access relevant information and communicate the principles of the subject both orally and in writing, becoming a flexible and independent learner

• To produce a safe, competent and reflective veterinary nurse who is eligible for admission onto the RCVS Veterinary Nurse Register

• To demonstrate an advanced range of practical skills and experience in Veterinary Nursing and Applied Animal Behaviour and related areas of science

• To promote the ability to work independently, to originate and test ideas scientifically, and to review critically the results obtained

• To demonstrate a wide range of transferable skills and competencies (oral communication, written, numerical and computational skills), including strategies to update personal and employment competencies relevant to careers in veterinary nursing, animal behaviour and a wider range of graduate employment opportunities

• To develop a deep understanding of the wider social, economic and ethical implications of Veterinary Nursing and Applied Animal Behaviour

• To promote the development of the student as a reflective, flexible, independent learner with extensive knowledge, who will contribute to the standing of the veterinary nursing profession and research within the discipline to encourage further progression within higher education and research

• To create a strong foundation for lifelong learning

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Theoretical and practical elements of the course curriculum will be assessed using a variety of methods, including computer-based exercises, essays, practical reports, laboratory skills, project reports and seen and unseen examinations. During the allocated 1800 hours of work placement in an RCVS approved veterinary training practice, students will be under continuous assessment.

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• 80 UCAS tariff points (including Biological Science A-Level at C or above, or an equivalent level 3 qualification or relevant Access to Higher Education course).

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English, maths and science. Functional skills qualifications in English and Maths at level 2 are considered equivalent.

• A minimum of 4 weeks of relevant work experience (2 weeks in an animal care environment and 2 weeks in a veterinary practice). You and your supervisor will be asked to complete a work experience feedback form to evidence this.

COURSE COMPOSITION

How many days per week:

3 - 4 days per week (when not on placement)

What days: Trimester dependent

Expected contact hours (per week): Modular programme with modules being 15 or 30 credits. Each module has 3hrs contact with the lecturer per week. Each trimester has 4 taught modules, thus for each trimester there is a total of 12hrs contact time each week.

Made up of: The exact nature of the taught components will vary depending on the module and a mixture of lectures, practical sessions, seminars, workshops and work placement would be used.

Expected self-study hours (per week): Expectation of 9.5 hours of self-study per module per week.

Work placement: All students are required to attend work placement at a registered veterinary practice. Students will be required to submit a CV and attend an interview.

Experience of course team: The course team includes a mixture of experienced vets, vet nurses and animal scientists. Each member of the team is experienced in the subject they are delivering and has qualifications linked to the subject area.

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MODULES

All the following modules are compulsory to achieve the qualification.

Year 1

Module name CreditsAnimals in Society 15Preparing for Practice Placement 15Principles & Practices of Veterinary Nursing 30Companion Animal Handling, Husbandry & Welfare 30Veterinary Nursing in the Surgical Environment 15Animal Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Nursing 15

Year 2 (if applicable)

Module name CreditsPrinciples & Practices of Veterinary Nursing 15Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics 15Animal Health & Nutrition for Veterinary Nursing 15Principles and Practice of Anaesthesia 15Emergency, Critical and Perioperative Care 15

Year 3 (if applicable)

Module name CreditsAnimal Therapy & Rehabilitation 15Preparation for Professional Practice 15Practical Applications 15Emergency, Critical & Perioperative Care 15

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COURSE FEES

Tuition fees:

Full-time: £8,745 (2020-2021)

We set our course fees annually. As students pay a fee for each year of their course, the fees set for future academic years may be higher than those set in the 2020/2021 academic year.

For each future academic year of your course of study, your fees may be subject to review and increase on a basis in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) plus 3%. RPI is a measure of inflation published monthly by the Office for National Statistics which measures the changes from month to month in the cost of a representative sample of retail goods and services bought by consumers within the UK. This means that your course fees will not be increased each year by more than RPI + 3% from the previous year’s fees and will not ever exceed the maximum amount that the government allows higher education institutions to charge students in the related academic year.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

All of our veterinary nursing students are required to enrol with the RCVS. All additional costs can be found below.

Essential costs:

RCVS enrolment fee: £196 Veterinary nursing uniform: £135

Optional costs:

Lab coat: £15 Wellington boots: £20

FURTHER STUDY AND PROGRESSION

Courses offered at UcWA

• BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing and Applied Animal Behaviour

Career opportunities

• Veterinary nursing