Veterinary Nursing (7457)

Last Updated: 24 Nov 2022

7457-03/13 OSCEs
City & Guilds will not offer any further OSCE series beyond September 2022, as sufficient capacity is available through alternative AOs (VetSkill or CQ) for both pathways.

7457-33/43 OSCEs

The qualification routes for 7457-33 and 7457-43 cover a different range of skills and knowledge to that of 7457-03 and 7457-13. As City & Guilds has withdrawn from the Vet Nursing qualification market, candidates will need to complete the OSCE with an alternative AO as part of the recognition agreements we have with VetSkill and Central Qualifications (CQ).

Candidates are not able to complete an OSCE with City & Guilds.

Evidence of NPL completion 
Centres who have learners wishing to undertake the OSCE with Vet Skill or CQ as part of End-point Assessment (EPA) will be required to evidence completion of the Nursing Progress Log (NPL) as part of the gateway evidence.

To enable this, we have introduced a Certificate of Unit Credit (CuC) as part of the 7457-33/43 qualifications. Centres should use this to claim the completion of the NPL once it has been completed in full, final IQA has taken place and any actions resolved.

Centres will need to claim unit 7457-500 to gain the NPL CuC for 7457-33/43.

The unit is elective, so it does not form part of the rules of combination for the qualification. This means that it is only required where VetSkill / CQ request evidence. 

Centres who are on Direct Claim Status (DCS) for the 7457-33/43 will be able to claim this unit directly from Walled Garden (as results entry). For all other qualification statuses, the unit can be claimed via our exception order process, provided your EQA has sampled the learner(s).

Once claimed, centres can provide a download or screenshot from Walled Garden candidate history to evidence the learner achievement, or a copy of the unit certificate (either paper e-certs).

Alternative AO OSCE recognition 
We have OSCE recognition agreements in place with both Central Qualifications (CQ) and VetSkill. Whilst there may be procedural differences between the City & Guilds approach and another AOs, all AOs are examining candidate’s competence against the RCVS Day One Skills (DOS) for Veterinary Nurses and therefore contain similar tasks.

The recognition agreements also mean that apprentices who need to complete an end-point assessment (EPA), can do so with their chosen End-point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).

For more information, please contact the respective Awarding Organisations (AO) on the details below.

Central Qualifications (CQ)

Vetskill Limited (VetSkill)

www.cqual.org

T: 01359 245 316

E: enquiries@cqual.org

www.vetskill.com

T: 01480 278 580

E: info@vetskill.com


Candidates who fail four attempts at exam
A decision has been agreed to remove the limit of four attempts that a candidate can take on the external exams and/or OSCE for all our 7457 Veterinary Nursing qualifications, along with suspension of the requirement for learners to take the 12 month time out period for 7457-03/13 and 6 month time out period for 7457-33/43.

You can read more on this update here.

Qualification expiry
We have unfortunately taken the difficult decision to cease delivery of all Veterinary Nursing qualifications for Small Animal (7457-03/33) and Equine (7457-13/43). This decision has not been taken lightly, and we understand the disappointment that this has caused to our centres. There are other Awarding Organisations who provide veterinary nursing qualifications, so centres and learner still have choices available to them.

To view our customer statement and FAQs please click here.                                                                                     

Qualification information
The qualification is the formal route for those wishing to qualify as a Veterinary Nurse registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
                                          
Learners can choose one of two pathways: small animals or equine. Successful completion of this qualification will enable learners to complete their enrolment with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and practice as a fully registered Veterinary Nurse.

Level 3 Diploma In Veterinary Nursing - UCAS tariff

Grade

New Tariff points

P

48


The qualification is designed for those wishing to practice as a veterinary nurse registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?
Learners must take 13 core units (12 at Level 3 and 1 at Level 4) and then 6 further units at Level 3 on one of two pathways: small animals or equine. Learners will need to pass all 19 units before they can register to become an RCVS Veterinary Nurse.
Learners must complete all of the following: online multiple choice written papers; centre based assignments; the Nursing Progress log (on line in most cases) and an Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCE) practical exam.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
This qualification is a well established route to becoming a registered RCVS Veterinary Nurse. It can provide a basis for progression into a range of higher level qualifications including degree programmes or a diploma in advanced veterinary nursing.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
This is a 2-3 year programme delivered through an approved City & Guilds centre (715 guided learning hours).  It also involves 60 weeks (2,100 hours) of work experience in a veterinary practice approved for veterinary nursing training.

Level 3

One or more pathways within this qualification has been approved by the DfE to appear in the 2016 Performance Tables. To review the qualifications approved please click here.


This qualification equips the learner with the relevant knowledge and skills to become a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
What Careers Can This Lead To?
Veterinary nursing.
Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Small Animals) (7457-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2020

Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Small Animals)

  • Accreditation No: 600/6052/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 180 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 715 - 715 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1800 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine) (7457-13)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2020

Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine)

  • Accreditation No: 600/6052/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 180 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 715 - 715 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1800 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine)

  • Accreditation No: Data unavailable This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Data unavailable This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 180 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 715 - 715 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 1800 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Diploma in Small Animal Veterinary Nursing (7457-33)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2020

Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Small Animals)

  • Accreditation No: 600/6052/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 715 - 715 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 3600 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Diploma in Equine Veterinary Nursing (7457-43)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2020

Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Equine)

  • Accreditation No: 600/6052/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: VRQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 665 - 665 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 3445 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2023 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to walled-garden.com and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form

7457-33-43 New qualifications

Assessment materials

Exam reports

OSCEs

Additional documents