BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing and Applied Animal Behaviour

You must have a genuine interest in animal health and welfare. You must be keen to learn how to provide expert nursing care for domestic animals as well as education and support for their owners and should have a clear understanding of the range of practical work required. Ideally, you will have experienced this throughout time spent in a veterinary surgery (preferably via work experience) as well as locations such as wildlife parks, pet shops, animal charities, farms, kennels and catteries. You should be a good communicator and enjoy teamwork.

This four year programme combines the practical training and work experience required for you to become an RCVS registered veterinary nurse, alongside a broader programme of study for a full Bachelor of Science with Honours Degree. As a student, you will receive a thorough training in scientific theory and principles with a particular emphasis on the study of animal behaviour and animal welfare. In addition, you will be required to develop extensive work-based skills during an extended period of placement within RCVS approved veterinary training practices. The course content for you as an individual will vary depending on their choice of designate modules within the pathway.

Compulsory Units: The course content will vary depending on the choice of modules that form part of a graduate training in the Life Sciences. As a guide areas you will cover could include Companion Animal Husbandry, Handling and Welfare, Introduction to Behaviour and Welfare and Animal Therapy and Rehabilitation.

Specialised Units: You will receive a thorough training in veterinary nursing, with a strong emphasis on practical skills in animal handling and husbandry. You must complete 2,100 hours or more of practice experience within 60 weeks of work placement within an RCVS approved veterinary training practice during the course. Whilst staff at CWA will make every effort to assist you in finding a suitable placement at a veterinary training centre, work placements with an RCVS approved veterinary training practice are not automatically provided for all students accepted onto this course. You are expected to take responsibility for arranging interviews with suitable local practices and travel to and from your designated veterinary practise. Specialised units which you will study include Principles and Practise of Veterinary Nursing, Principles and Practise of Anaesthesia, Principles and Practise of Diagnostics and Emergency, Critical and Periop Care.

The academic year at both CWA and ARU is divided into trimester delivery. Full-time attendance within these semesters is approximately 12 hours per week, usually over three days. The course involves 4 years full time study including 70 weeks of work placement at Veterinary Training Practice(s).

Module delivery is divided between the College of West Anglia (Cambridge) campus located just outside Cambridge at Milton and the Anglia Ruskin University (Cambridge) campus in the Cambridge city centre, plus work placement at RCVS approved veterinary training practices.

Entry Requirements:

Interview required

You must have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above (to include English Language, Maths and 1 science subject, plus a minimum of 220 UCAS tariff points to include at least one A level in a Biological Science, a BTEC or C&G qualification in a science subject, an appropriate Advanced GNVQ or equivalent qualifications (considered on their own merit). Students should also be aware that the RCVS requires newly qualified nurses to disclose information relating to any conviction, including drugs offences to be disclosed when registering. Therefore students with these convictions may not be accepted onto the course.

Assessment:

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 60 weeks of practice placement in an RCVS approved veterinary training practice, you will be under continuous assessment. To become an RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurse, you will be required to take the RCVS SVN examinations alongside any examinations required for specific course modules, build a VN portfolio of practical experience and complete the required 2,100 hours of veterinary practice experience.

Progression from this course:

You may wish to progress to further academic study at masters or PhD level or achieve the RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing.

Locations:

Cambridge Campus (Milton) - CB24 6DB

Duration:

4 Years

Start times:

September 2013

How to Apply:

For full time courses please apply via UCAS. For part time courses you will need to apply online using the part time higher education application form.

Course Costs:

Tuition fees for 2013-14 are as follows: Full-time - £6500; Part-time - pro rata (usually 50% of full-time fee).

There is an additional one off cost of £700 associated with the course which covers a range of requirements; RCVS enrolment, professional qualification examinations, range of clothing to support the course such as tunics, work trousers and shoes. This is payable upon enrolment in the first semester of the course. Instalment options are available.

Additional Information:

For more information, contact student services: King's Lynn - 01553 761144 Isle - 01945 582561; Cambridge - 01223 860701

Please note: Students are expected to purchase key texts where these are set out in module guides or unit specifications. Anglia Ruskin University have an extensive digital library that provides on and off-campus access to databases, e-journals and e-books which you will be able to access.

UCAS Info:

• - Code: D391
• - Course Title: BSc/VNAAB
• - Institution Code: W35
• - Institution Name: WESTA