About the course
The Foundation year to Veterinary Nursing will give you the opportunity to progress to our 3-year FdSc Veterinary Nursing and other programmes.
This course is suitable for students from a wide range of backgrounds. Modules include science relevant to veterinary medicine, integrated bio veterinary sciences, and animal husbandry, they are delivered to help prepare you to study.
This gateway course is perfect if you don't have a science background or the usual academic requirements.
Key Information
Location: Preston Campus
Start date: September 2026
Course length: One Year (30 weeks)
Course Modules
Foundation Animal Welfare, Husbandry and Health
Animal welfare � an understanding of the science and applications, Animal husbandry � exploration of appropriate husbandry of a variety of species and how this may influence animal welfare and Animal health � the relationships between stress and disease and the interplay between husbandry health and welfare.
Foundation Bioveterinary Science and Research
Designing, analysing and communicating scientific research, Basic Principles, which covers the very fundamentals including aspects such as ethics and identifying a problem. Types of Basic and Clinical Research, Application and Research Methodologies, Data Collection, Data Analysis and results.
Foundation Body Systems and Biology
Biomolecular Structure and Function, Cell Structure, Inheritance Of The Genome, Cellular Metabolism, Principles of science and evidence in scientific study and research, Introductory statistics and Information technology, use of statistical software including Microsoft Excel and SPSS/Minitab in handling, summarising and presenting numerical data from biological systems and medical related examples.
Foundation Global Applications of Bioveterinary Sciences
How to evaluate scientific research. The importance of an evidence-based approach, critical analysis of the evidence and identification of gaps in current research and Exploration of ethical perspectives. The role and use of animals in society science, ethics and law (case studies).
Entry requirements & additional information
5 GCSE passes at Grade C (4) or above (including Maths and English or equivalent and one other science subject). Equivalent qualifications may be acceptable but must be approved by the RCVS.
Plus 56 UCAS tariff points from one or more of the following:
A Levels
BTEC/C&G Level
T Level - P - D*
Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively, for example Scottish Highers, Irish Leaving Certificate, International Baccalaureate, NVQ Level 3 and Access to Higher Education (Please note: this is not an exhaustive list of potential equivalencies).
Students wanting to progress onto the FdSc Veterinary nursing must achieve a pass mark on all modules to be eligible. Applicants will also need to submit the required 140 hours work experience. See FdSc Veterinary Nursing entry criteria for details. Any student exiting after completion of this year will gain a Foundation Certificate.