Entry Requirements to Veterinary Nurse Diploma

• GCSEs minimum of 5 graded A*-C (9-4) including Maths, English and a Science subject

or

• Level 2 Functional Skills Maths
• Level 2 Functional Skills English
• Animal Nursing Assistant Level 2 or equivalent

Qualification Assessment - Diploma Route

• Portfolio
• Assignments
• Multiple choice questions
• Practical skills assessment
• Professional discussion
• OSCE exam (Licence to practice objective structured clinical examination)

Portfolio: Your portfolio is completed based on evidence gathered in practice during your working hours. This is where you will demonstrate practical competency against the RCVS Day One Skills, professional behaviours and the SQP Code of Practice.

In practice, you are assigned a clinical coach who will help guide you through this, teaching you valuable skills. The portfolio is internally and externally quality assured.

Practical skills assessment: This is usually completed at the midway point of the course. This assesses your practical skills assessed by your college.

Professional discussion: This is a 45 minute discussion between the student and an independent assessor. This is an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills and behaviour. Ten questions will be asked from five different areas which are legal, veterinary environment, radiography, communication and self management. All 10 questions must be passed.

OSCEs: Once all exams, assignments, portfolio, professional discussion and the required working hours have been completed, then you will do your OSCEs. This is a practical exam which lasts around 3 hours where you will have 12 different tasks to complete. You will be given 2 minutes to read about the task and 6 minutes to complete the task before moving onto your next station. Out of the 12 stations, 8 are required to be passed in order to qualify.

RCVS Record of Training: A record of training must be completed throughout the SVNs training. You must be able to show that you have completed a minimum of 2,990 hours in training which includes your practical experience whilst employed or on placement and your time attending lectures. During the programme, you are required to complete a minimum of 1,800 hours employed in addition to attending lectures. These hours exclude bank holidays, annual leave, sick, overtime and on call time.

Off The Job Hours: Apprentices must spend a minimum of 6 hours a week completing off the job hours. This includes your college hours. More information about off the job hours can be found here: