FdSc Veterinary Nursing Foundation degree at South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru
FdSc Veterinary Nursing at South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), making you eligible to register as a veterinary nurse upon completion.
About this course
FdSc Veterinary Nursing is a Foundation degree (FdSc) at South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru, based in Coleg Gwent (Usk). It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Agriculture & Animal Science, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Professional and Academic Practice for Veterinary NursesCore
- Veterinary Pharmacology & Pharmacy PracticeCore
- Animal Anatomy & PhysiologyCore
- Husbandry & Handling (Basic Nutrition)Core
- Principles of Veterinary Nursing 1Core
- Infection ControlCore
Year 2 6 modules
- Veterinary DiagnosticsCore
- Veterinary Theatre PracticeCore
- Veterinary AnaesthesiaCore
- Principles of Veterinary Nursing 2Core
- Placement for Veterinary Nurses 1Core
- Veterinary Emergency and Critical CareCore
Year 3 3 modules
- Professional Conduct and Ethics for Veterinary NursesCore
- Clinical Skills for Veterinary NursesCore
- Placement for Veterinary Nurses 2Core
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study the science and practice of veterinary nursing across three years. A course like this normally moves from foundations, animal biology, the veterinary care pathway, and practical husbandry, through applied topics such as animal health, nutrition, and welfare, to specialist options in later stages. You'll usually encounter hands-on work with animals throughout, alongside modules covering behaviour, clinical procedures, and professional practice. Specialisations include livestock production, equine science, animal behaviour and welfare, and farm placements. The course culminates in applied work, often with veterinary practices or industry partners, preparing you for professional registration.
Who it's for
This course suits those committed to animal healthcare and veterinary support work. Most entrants hold A-levels or equivalent qualifications. You'll need to be comfortable with both scientific study and practical, patient-facing work in clinical environments. If you're seeking a vocational qualification that leads directly to professional registration and employment in veterinary practice, this foundation degree offers a clear pathway.
Careers & job market
Across Agriculture and Animal Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Starting salaries typically range from £22,000 to £27,000; after five years, graduates earn between £22,525 and £31,800. These figures reflect national graduate outcomes data. Around 40% of working graduates progress into highly skilled roles or continue their studies. The RCVS accreditation opens direct access to veterinary nursing positions in practices, clinics, and animal hospitals across the UK.
University & format
This FdSc is delivered by University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru at Coleg Gwent (Usk), studied full-time over 3 years in English. The course is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for eligibility for registration as a veterinary nurse. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, it is nationally recognised.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 85% |
| another higher-education qualification | 15% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code N231). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page. Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Agriculture & Animal Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in agriculture & animal science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Agriculture & Animal Science nationally
National figures for Agriculture & Animal Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How Agriculture & Animal Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Agriculture & Animal Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Agribusiness & food producers
- DEFRA & agencies
- Estates & farms
- Animal & wildlife charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Agriculture & Animal Science graduates.
Agriculture Litigation Solicitor – Rural & EstatesBirketts LLPAgriculture TrainerRise Technical RecruitmentAgriculture Legal Director & Partner – HybridErrington LegalAgriculture & Estates Lawyer - Suffolk / NorfolkBWF Legal RecruitmentAgriculture ManagerMarks and SpencerAgriculture Lawyer - BristolChadwick NottWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of South Wales
Agriculture, food and related studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Coleg Gwent (Usk)
13 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Agriculture & Animal Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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