Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing

Entry requirements

In order to complete the programme, previous clinical experience is essential as a significant proportion of the content is directly related to practice. However, veterinary nurses who are not currently employed in clinical practice but employed in a related discipline, for example education or practice management, are eligible.

September entry

Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) who have an Honours Degree in any subject, or hold the RCVS Dip AVN, RCVS DipHE AVN, DipHe CVN, FsSc VN/HND VN, or VTS are eligible for September entry.

RVNs that hold the RCVS Level 3 Diploma with one-year post-qualification work experience will be required to submit a 1,000-word essay on any Veterinary Nursing topic. A minimum of 5 references should be included, along with a full reference list. The Harvard reference system should be used throughout. Applicants entering at this level are encouraged to complete the Academic Writing Skills Programme offered by the University in Semester 1.

January/April entry

RVNs with an Honours Degree in any subject are eligible for January/April Entry.

Months of entry

January, April, September

Course content

This fully online distance learning post-registration qualification is designed specifically for veterinary nurses working in all disciplines in the UK and internationally. The postgraduate framework of studies equips veterinary nurses with advanced knowledge and skills across a range of subjects, supports the practice of evidence-based veterinary nursing, and allows individuals to research a range of topics of interest.

The first year of the programme has a strong focus on Quality Improvement in practice, where the second year introduces a range of specialist areas of practice including education, business management, and one health. Students will learn from a range of subject specialists and experts, and from their peers as they share experiences and knowledge. Despite being online, the programme team ensure each student is part of a learning community through participation in discussion forums and collaborative activities.

• Specifically designed to support the delivery of quality care, evidence-based learning and best practice techniques.
• Devised by experts from different fields of veterinary nursing and the wider veterinary industry, this means the planning and delivery of courses remains current, relevant and valuable to you, especially when it comes to furthering your career.
• Experience a range of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, tutorials, work-based learning and project work through our online learning platform.
• Tailor the subject of many of your assessments and final dissertation to disciplines or specialisms relevant and interesting to you.
• The PG Certificate is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Upon graduation from the programme, RCVS Registered Veterinary Nurses who have pre-enrolled with the RCVS will be able to use the CertAVN post nominal. Further information can be found on the RCVS website at Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing.
• 2021 winner of the Knowledge Award Champion for teaching quality improvement to Veterinary Nurses both in practice and education.

Information for international students

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0.
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.