Level 3 Veterinary Nursing

SRUC is unable to accept any further applications for this course for September 2021. The application portal will open in October for September 2022 entry.

Location: Oatridge
Study mode:
Start Date: September 2021
Duration: 2.5 years
Agency Code: ZO51,;

Course overview

This course combines on-campus study with practical studies and placement sections to fully develop veterinary nursing skills.

Choose to study full-time on our Oatridge Campus in West Lothian. If you study at Oatridge you'll also benefit from placement experience at the Small Animal Hospital at Glasgow University Veterinary School.

All Practical training progress and assessment is recorded in an online Nursing Progress Log.

If you're certified and have successfully completed external exams, you can apply for registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse with the RCVS once you have completed the required number of training hours.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

Entry requirements

You'll have a minimum 5 National 5s (A-C) including English, Maths and Science, as well as a minimum of two weeks' work experience in a veterinary practice.

Additional Higher qualifications (e.g. maths or a science) and practical or animal-related work experience will help strengthen your application.

If you're already employed in an approved training practice, you'll be eligible to study the block release programme.

What you'll learn

This course covers a wide range of topics, from communication, lab techniques and preparing for professional registration to anatomy and physiology, infection control and practical veterinary nursing care.

You'll also learn about diagnostic imaging, the supply of veterinary medicines, anesthesia and nursing support for small animals.

Example modules include:

Applied Animal Welfare
Health & Husbandry for Veterinary Nurses
Infection Control in Veterinary Practice
Supporting the supply of Veterinary Medicines
Veterinary Operating Theatre Practice
Preparing for Professional Registration

Student experience

Meet Fay Carrison. She was delighted to be accepted into the Level 3 Diploma.

"I remember coming home from my first placement in a veterinary practice feeling like I had found my calling in life," she says. "I've been lucky enough to experience lambing and basic farm work, along with working in a referrals hospital.

"Working in practice three days a week allows us to build on what we've learned in class.

"I work alongside some of the most amazing people, get taught by knowledgeable and passionate tutors and my class is filled with inspirational, kind and supportive individuals."

"I work alongside amazing people, I'm taught by passionate tutors, my class is filled with inspirational individuals."

Fay Carrison

Course Funding

Full-time students of Level 3 Veterinary Nursing can apply for a Further Education Bursary.

Once you’ve accepted a place, we’ll email the bursary funding online application. Complete the application and return it along with any required documents. You should apply even if you're still waiting for exam results.

Tuition fees are waived for students who qualify for a bursary.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees and funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: Any care experienced students studying full time can apply for a bursary of around £202.50 per week. Find out more from our student funding teams at registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Education Maintenance Allowance: Students between the ages of 16-19 who meet specific criteria may be entitled to an EMA. This means-tested allowance depends on the income of the home the student stays in.
Discretionary Fund
Childcare