UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Myerscough College
3. University School/Centre
School of Health Sciences
4. External Accreditation
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
5. Title of Final Award
Foundation Degree Science Veterinary Nursing
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full-time
7. UCAS Code
D313
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
QAA Foundation Degree Generic Benchmarks
HE Veterinary Nursing Benchmarks (Draft )
9. Other external influences
LANTRA Veterinary Nursing National Occupational
Standards
RCVS Day 1 Competencies
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
20 June 2013
11. Aims of the Programme
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To demonstrate practical nursing clinical competency based on an underpinning knowledge of
veterinary nursing practice at Foundation Degree level and enhance the development of
veterinary nursing practice.
To satisfy the RCVS requirements to be included on their register of listed veterinary nurses.
To develop an awareness of communication and interpersonal skills whilst working within a
multidisciplinary team and interfacing with clients.
To appreciate the value of critical reflection in personal and professional development,
encouraging the concept of life-long learning.
To realise the importance of the impingement of health and safety, ethical, legal and animal
welfare issues on veterinary practice.
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To demonstrate practical nursing clinical competency based on an underpinning knowledge of
veterinary nursing practice at Foundation Degree level and enhance the development of
veterinary nursing practice.
To demonstrate a heightened awareness of employability skills, sustainability and the significance
of internationalisation in their chosen field of study.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Develop an in-depth knowledge of small animal, equine and exotics anatomy and physiology, as
specified in the National Occupational Standards.
A2. Appreciate the nursing and management of a wide range of conditions encountered in veterinary
practice as specified in the National Occupational Standards.
A3. Apply health and safety, ethical, legal and animal welfare standards in veterinary practice.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A combination of lectures, practical sessions, group and individual work, interactive workshops,
tutorials and evidence based learning in practice and utilisation of the VLE.
Assessment methods
Written, practical, viva voce examinations and OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations)
written assignments, portfolios and practical assessments in veterinary practice.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Recognise the significance of the knowledge of anatomy, physiology and animal management in
the nursing of a range of conditions.
B2. Demonstrate veterinary nursing skills across a range of situations.
B3. Initiate strategies to promote improved veterinary nursing practice.
B4. Appreciate the significance of the relationship between client/patient and the veterinary nursing
team.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A combination of lectures, practical sessions, group and individual work, interactive workshops,
tutorials and evidence based learning in practice and utilisation of the VLE.
Assessment methods
Written, viva voce examinations and OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) written
assignments, portfolios and practical assessments in veterinary practice.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Identify and evaluate information from a range of sources
C2. Apply theory and knowledge to new situations
C3. Identify problems and produce strategies for resolving them.
Teaching and Learning Methods
A combination of lectures, practical sessions, group and individual work, interactive workshops,
tutorials and evidence based learning in practice and utilisation of the VLE.
Assessment methods
Written viva voce examinations and OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) written
assignments, presentations and completion of the Nursing Progress log.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Communicate professionally in reports and presentations
D2. Work independently and work as a member of a team
D3. Apply evidence based problem solving skills in various settings
D4. Use appropriate information technology skills in various situations
D5. Reflect on personal development and seek appropriate, individual development needs
D6. Demonstrate a heightened awareness of employability skills, sustainability and the significance
of internationalisation
Teaching and Learning Methods
A combination of lectures, practical sessions, group and individual work, interactive workshops,
tutorials and evidence based learning in practice and utilisation of the VLE.
Assessment methods
Written, practical, viva voce examinations and OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations)
written assignments, portfolios and practical assessments in veterinary practice.
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13. Programme Structures*
Level
Level 5
Module
Code
VN2025
VN2026
VN2027
VN2028
VN2029
VN2030
VN2031
VN2032
VN2033
Module Title
Veterinary Nursing Support of
Anaesthesia
Emergency and Critical Care
Veterinary Nursing
Peri-operative Veterinary
Nursing Support
Veterinary Nursing of Medical
Patients
Veterinary Support of
Diagnostic Imaging
Preparing for Professional
Practice
Research Skills
Student Project
Veterinary Nursing Placement
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
10
10
20
20
10
20
FdSc Veterinary Nursing
Requires 240 credits including a
minimum of 120 at Level 5.
Students must complete
a
minimum of 60 weeks practice
placement and demonstrate their
competence of the Veterinary
Nursing Occupational Standards
by the successful completion of
the RCVS Nursing Progress Log
10
20
120
(Notional)
Level 4
VN1013
VN1014
VN1015
VN1016
VN1017
VN1018
Form and Function
Comparative Form, Function,
Health and Welfare
Applied Animal Health and
Welfare
Veterinary Nursing In-patient
Care
Personal, Professional
Development and Employability
Skills
Introduction to Veterinary
Nursing Practice
20
20
20
Foundation Certificate Animal
Health Studies
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or
above.
20
20
20
15. Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning is an essential component of the course. The course will help
students recognise the importance of being proactive within their own personal development. The
course will help develop key personal and transferable skills which promote employability,
entrepreneurship, academic excellence, professional development and global citizenship.
Each student will be allocated a Personal Tutor with whom students will be encouraged to develop
skills for independent learning and reflection on student’s academic, personal and professional
development. Students will meet with their personal tutor at least twice per semester to develop short
and long-term goals, review and plan their progress on the course and discuss their future career
path.
Each student group has a weekly timetabled and structured course tutorial which will be used to
develop generic personal, employability and academic skills with student groups. An on-line scheme
of work, together with web based and other support materials, is available to staff and students alike
in the delivery of these tutorial sessions.
Students have access to a wide range of personal development advisory services through the ‘Core’
including careers, financial advice, pastoral support and help with study skills. Students have access
to the student support services at the University through the ‘I’, ‘Futures’ and ‘WISER’ study skills.
Students on Foundation Degrees are also encouraged to reflect on their personal and professional
development within a professional setting in the Personal, Professional & Employability Skills and
Preparing for Professional Practice modules. These modules will further help students plan
realistically for career progression and manage their own career development.
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All students will also have access to the College ‘Learn2Work’ programme and activities that
contribute to ensuring employability of our students can also count towards the ‘Learn2Work’ awards.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, which must include English Language and two science subjects (one
of which must be Maths or level 2 application of number), plus two other subjects.
Plus 140 UCAS Tariff points from one of the following:
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2 A-levels (including a biological science at C)
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in an animal based subject at MPP (including a distinction in
at least one biology based unit)
BTEC Level 3 Diploma in an animal based subject at MM (including a distinction in at least
one biology based unit)
2 Scottish Highers at minimum C or above
3 Irish Highers at minimum C or above
NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline
International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points
AS levels and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are
not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered
positively.
Consideration will be given to non-traditional qualifications and relevant work experience. Applicants
are encouraged to produce evidence of their potential to benefit from the course. Applicants who
believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning
(APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.
In addition applicants must demonstrate a sound knowledge base of the role of a veterinary nurse by
supplying evidence of a minimum 30 days experience in a small animal veterinary practice with
10 days being completed prior to interview. Current is defined in this instance as within 2 years of the
proposed start date of the course with the majority of the experience being within the last twelve
months. Please note that experience in a cattery, kennels, pet shop or similar, although useful
experience, will not satisfy this requirement.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International
English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 7.0 or equivalent. The applicant must forward
evidence of eligibility to the College prior to acceptance on the course.
All offers will be subject to successful interview.
17. Key sources of information about the programme
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UCAS: http://www.ucas.ac.uk
Myerscough College web site: www.myerscough.ac.uk
Myerscough College higher education prospectus:
http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=Prospectuses
Course fact sheet: http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=higher-education-subjects
Course Tutor: Lynne Kerrigan
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18. Curriculum Skills Map
Ticks indicate where individual Programme Learning Outcomes will be assessed
Programme Learning outcomes
Module
Level Code
Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and
Understanding
4
5
A1
VN2025 Veterinary Nursing
Support of Anaesthesia
VN2026 Emergency and Critical
Care Veterinary Nursing
VN2027 Peri-operative Veterinary
Nursing Support
VN2028 Veterinary Nursing of
Medical Patients
VN2029 Veterinary Support of
Diagnostic Imaging
VN2030 Preparing for
Professional Practice
VN2031 Research Skills
VN2032 Student Project
A2
C
Subject-specific skills
Thinking Skills
Other skills relevant to employability and
personal development
A3
B1
B2
B3
C1
C2
C3
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
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VN1013 Form and Function
C
VN1014 Comparative Form,
C
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Function, Health and
Welfare
VN1015 Applied Animal Health
C
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and Welfare
VN1016 Veterinary Nursing InC
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patient Care
VN1017 Personal, Professional
C
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Development and
Employability Skills
VN1018 Introduction to Veterinary C
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Nursing Practice
Note: Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
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