students with dog in the clinical suite

Course details

Year of entry

2025, 2026

Duration

1 YR (FT) 2 YRS (PT)

Institution Code

G53

Location

Online

*Subject to validation

Why choose this course?

This Level 6 top-up programme will enable existing RVNs to advance their knowledge and skills to enable progression to more specialised and senior roles. The flexible degree will further enable RVNs to be fully utilised within their role and deepen understanding of evidence-based practice and advanced clinical skills.

You will:

  • Gain a relevant degree that demonstrates your commitment to professional development and sets you apart in the industry
  • Have the opportunity to complete an independent research project related to the veterinary profession, enhancing critical thinking and research skills
  • Engage in live discussion with staff and peers, alongside specialist guest lecturers from within the industry
  • Develop your professional responsibilities both in the local and wider community
  • Have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study

Key course features

  • During this course, you will build expertise in client communication, clinical decision-making, and specialised consultations to improve patient outcomes
  • You will gain a deeper understanding of  leadership and management strategies to take on senior roles and drive change in veterinary practice
  • Interdisciplinary approach with the human nursing department, allowing you to gain valuable insights from human healthcare professionals
  • Delivered online to enable flexible learning
  • Use of our VLE facilities will enable 24/7 access to lectures, study material, seminars and discussion forums

What you will study

MODULES

  • Veterinary Nursing in a Changing World: In this module, you will explore the dynamic future of veterinary nursing and your role in shaping the profession. You will examine the One Health approach and the critical part veterinary nurses play in this area. As legislation and professional responsibilities evolve, you will assess the future of Schedule 3 and how advancements in technology are transforming patient care. 
    Sustainability is at the forefront of modern veterinary practice, therefore you will consider how to implement environmentally responsible practices within your role. You will also explore the impact of legislative changes and how they influence professional standards and practice. 
    With career progression in mind, this module will help you identify new opportunities. Whether you aspire to advance clinically, move into academia, or influence industry change, this module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the future of veterinary nursing.  
  • Contemporary Leadership and Mentoring in Veterinary Nursing : With an increasing number of new roles emerging in veterinary nursing, this module will help you build transferable skills that allow for career progression and greater professional impact.  
    This module will also expand on mentoring and clinical coaching skills, equipping you to support and develop the next generation of veterinary nurses. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential in practice, and you will learn how to effectively guide teams, navigate conflict resolution, and foster a positive working environment. Self-reflection is key to professional growth, and you will assess your own abilities to identify areas for development. You will also explore the importance of quality improvement and clinical auditing, ensuring best practices are maintained within your team. As the veterinary nurse community continues to grow and gain recognition, this module will empower you to take on leadership roles and drive positive change within the profession. 
  • Specialised veterinary nursing consults: This module will equip you with the skills to lead specialised veterinary nursing consults, enhancing both patient care and practice efficiency in first opinion and specialised hospital settings. You will develop advanced communication and consulting skills, ensuring you can effectively support clients while delivering expert advice on a range of nursing-led services. 
    A key focus will be on chronic pain management, palliative care, and end-of-life support, enabling you to provide compassionate, tailored care. You will explore advanced medical nursing clinics, understanding their role in disease management and preventative healthcare. 
    Beyond clinical expertise, this module highlights the value of nurse-led clinics in improving patient welfare, increasing client engagement, and generating revenue for the practice. You will consider the principles of contextualised care, ensuring that treatment plans align with individual patient needs and owner circumstances. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to take an active role in advancing veterinary nursing consultations and client care. 
  • Research Skills and Professional Development: Within this module, you will be equipped with the necessary skills to critically evaluate research design, to select and justify appropriate methods for data collection and analysis, and to reflect on personal and professional development over the duration of your programme of study.  
  • Research Project: This module will guide you through the completion of a research-based study of a specialised area related to Veterinary Nursing.  You will critically evaluate research related to your chosen topic, devise appropriate methods of data collection, collect and analyse data.  You will write up your findings in the form of a research paper. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

  • Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing (equivalent / international equivalent)
  •  Level 3 Diploma (equivalent or international equivalent)
  • Registered Veterinary Nurse with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or international equivalent
  • All applications will be considered on individual merit

Teaching & Assessment

The top up programme will be delivered online to enable flexible learning for students around their other commitments.  Full use of the University’s VLE facilities will enable 24/7 access to recorded lectures, study material, seminars and discussion forums.  Real time delivery online will also take place to ensure students have opportunity for live discussion of topics with both staff and peers.  The use of guest speakers will further enrich delivery by providing insight into a range of experiences.   

At level 6, there is an expectation for students to read around their topics to broaden knowledge and understanding.  Each module will have up to two assessments for completion that assess the module learning outcomes.  A variety of different types of assessment methods have been selected to ensure learners’ learning styles are covered, and to help develop skills relevant to the subject area.   

Career prospects

Our dedicated Careers and Employability team is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals. They provide personalised advice, useful resources, and extracurricular employability events to prepare you for the job market.

Graduates of this course can pursue careers in: 

  • Head Veterinary Nursing  
  • Nursing Manager
  • Referral Veterinary Nurse
  • Lecturer (subject to relevant teaching qualification)
  • Working abroad
  • Academic research
  • Further education
  • Specialism in a particular discipline
  • Clinical Director
  • Practice Manager  

Additionally, you may choose to further your expertise through postgraduate studies. Explore our postgraduate courses for more information.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

Programme specification

You can see the full programme specification here.

Accommodation

At Wrexham University, we offer on-campus en-suite rooms within our Wrexham Student Village. These private, fully furnished spaces are conveniently located, providing easy access to campus facilities, study areas, and social spaces. Plus, you’re just a 10-minute walk from the city centre!

With all bills included, free Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, and large social areas, you’ll find everything you need for a great student experience.

Explore our student accommodation options to find your perfect home away from home.

Subject to validation

Courses shown as “subject to validation” are new courses which are in development and the details of these courses are in the process of being finalised through the approval cycle, known as the ‘validation’ process. As soon as the programmes are validated the details of the course will be confirmed. The majority of new courses that are still ‘subject to validation’ are approved by the validation process; however, this is not guaranteed and should the course not go ahead as planned, or be significantly amended, you will be informed by the university and assistance will be provided to those who have been offered a place to find a suitable alternative course either at Wrexham University or at another provider.