Level 3 Diploma Veterinary Nursing (Small Animals) 2025-26

There are over 4,000 veterinary practices in the UK alone. Veterinary nurses are vital to the running of a successful practice and responsible for working with veterinary surgeons to provide expert care and treatment to a variety of animals. The sense of purpose that comes from nursing an ill animal back to health makes becoming a veterinary nurse a highly rewarding career.

Completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing qualification will allow you to apply for professional registration as a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

It has been designed to develop Veterinary Nurses with a holistic approach to their work, a passion for making a difference to the lives of animals, and a robust understanding of their professional responsibilities.

You’ll be supported in developing vital clinical and employability skills in a real-life setting in preparation for the responsibilities and accountability of being a Registered Veterinary Nurse.

Important note: to be accepted onto this course, it is a requirement that students organise their own veterinary nursing placement before enrolment takes place in late August. Please read the 'Entry Requirements' section for more information on what this involves.

• Anaesthesia
• Radiography
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Medicines
• Pre and Post Operative Care
• Veterinary Emergencies
• Animal Welfare
• Functional Anatomy
• Professional Relationships within Veterinary Practice

Following successful completion of this course you may gain employment in the land-based sector as a veterinary nurse. Veterinary nurses then may specialise in small animals or equine and gain employment in varied practices in the UK and abroad.

Progression options following successful completion of this course may enable you to progress into employment as a head nurse, practice manager, clinical coach or a specialist veterinary nurse in the fields of surgery, oncology or hydrotherapy. Other options include laboratory technician or nutritional representative. Jobs you could progress into include:

• RCVS registered veterinary nurse assistant
• RCVS registered veterinary nurse
• Specialise in a range of topics, particularly in the care of exotic pets, feline medicine, anaesthesia or dentistry
• Work in specialist practices (feline, equine, reptile or large animal practices), emergency vet practices, referral practices orthopaedic, cardiology, oncology, ophthalmology) or veterinary/university hospitals
• Locum veterinary nurse
• Head veterinary nurse
• Veterinary practice manager
• Education
• Clinical coach
• Researcher
• Veterinary hydrotherapist
• Veterinary physiotherapist
• Veterinary supplies sales representative

As well as various specialist training options, veterinary nurses could progress on to study a veterinary nursing Foundation Degree and BSc (Top Up) programme.

Studying at degree level offers a range of benefits, including exploring professional interests, developing skills in research and academic writing, and paving the way to further postgraduate training at Master’s or even PhD level.

Applicants MUST be at least 17 years old on 31st August to enrol on to this course.

Direct Entry: 5 x GCSEs at grade 9-4 including Maths, English and Science, OR have achieved the Level 2 Veterinary Care Assistant at overall Distinction grade PLUS Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths.

Applicants MUST have completed a minimum of 5 weeks work experience in a veterinary practice.

Applicants must have organised employment or a work placement in an RCVS veterinary practice is essential, at a minimum of 3 days per week over the 2 year course period. This placement or employment must be confirmed between the student and the practice prior to enrolment on the course.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

External examination, clinical skill logs, practical exam and assignments.

September 2025

Two years, full-time, including employment/work placement arrangement with an RCVS approved veterinary practice.

Students spend blocks of time in college and blocks of time on placement at a practice. Placement blocks can last between two and nine weeks in length totalling approximately 2,080 hours over the two-year programme, with at least 936 hours of college teaching blocks.