Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
This fully online distance learning post-registration qualification is designed specifically for veterinary nurses working in all disciplines in the UK and internationally. The postgraduate framework of studies equips veterinary nurses with advanced knowledge and skills across a range of subjects, supports the practice of evidence-based veterinary nursing, and allows individuals to research a range of topics of interest. The first year of the programme has a strong focus on Quality Improvement in practice, where the second year introduces a range of specialist areas of practice including education, business management, and one health. Students will learn from a range of subject specialists and experts, and from their peers as they share experiences and knowledge. Despite being online, the programme team ensure each student is part of a learning community through participation in discussion forums and collaborative activities.
- Online distance learning
- Academic contact: mvls-vetnurse@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Online
- MSc: 36 months part‑time
- PgDip: 24 months part‑time
- PgCert: 12 months part‑time
Why this programme
- Specifically designed to support the delivery of quality care, evidence-based learning and best practice techniques.
- Devised by experts from different fields of veterinary nursing and the wider veterinary industry, this means the planning and delivery of courses remains current, relevant and valuable to you, especially when it comes to furthering your career.
- Experience a range of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, tutorials, work-based learning and project work through our online learning platform.
- Tailor the subject of many of your assessments and final dissertation to disciplines or specialisms relevant and interesting to you.
- The PG Certificate is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Upon graduation from the programme, registered Veterinary Nurses who have pre-enrolled with the RCVS will be able to apply for the CertAVN. Successful candidates will be able to use the CertAVN post nominal and will receive the CertAVN badge. Further information can be found on the RCVS website at Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing.
- 2021 winner of the Knowledge Award Champion for teaching quality improvement to Veterinary Nurses both in practice and education.
Watch Samantha Fontaine, the programme director, tell you more...
Video: Advanced practice in veterinary nursing MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning
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Why study online?
- Flexible learning can be done at any time to fit in with other commitments. Speak to us about flexible learning options.
- Most communication is via discussion boards or Microsoft Teams so you can reply at a time that suits you, fitting in with time zones and work commitments.
- We record live sessions in case you can’t make it.
- Your learning can be accessed on your computer, laptop, tablet or phone via the internet. Find out more about the remote resources available at Glasgow Anywhere.
- We provide software to assist you, such as Office 365.
- Your MVLS Digital Education Team provides support with technology issues by email or video chat.
- Flexible payment options are available. You don't have to pay everything upfront.
- Be part of a global community of learners.
- Connect with your fellow students and tutors through our virtual learning environment where you will have access to a multitude of learning resources.
- You do not need to have experience of studying online, you will be guided on how to access and use all of our online resources.
- Access Library e-resources remotely at any time. This includes an extensive catalogue of e-books and journals, searchable from the Library homepage.
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We interviewed Roda, a student on the MSc Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing online distance learning course. Find out first-hand how this course can benefit your Veterinary Alumni, Veterinary Nurses and Technicians. Starring special guest: Pacha the talking Alpaca!
Video: Meet Roda and Pacha: Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing Online
Programme structure
Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing comprises of:
- Year 1: three 20 credit compulsory courses
- Year 2: two 20 credit compulsory courses plus one 20 credit optional course
- Year 3: one 60 credit dissertation / project
PgCert: Year 1
PgDip: Years 1 & 2
MSc: Years 1, 2 & 3
Provided you meet academic requirements, you can initially enrol on to the PgCert and progress on to the PgDip and/or the MSc.
Courses
Year 1
- Research and Evidence Based Veterinary Nursing
- Quality Improvement in Veterinary Nursing
- Developing Evidence Based Practice Through Reflection
Year 2
One core course in semester one:
One core course in semester two:
A choice of two optional courses in Summer:
(Please note: options in year 2 are not guaranteed and are dependent on numbers)
Year 3
The programme is delivered fully online using a range of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, tutorials, work-based learning and project work.
You will have the flexibility to tailor the subject of many of your assessments and final dissertation to disciplines or specialisms that are relevant and of interest to you and/or your future career.
The online and part-time nature of this programme, and the flexibility this route offers, makes it ideally suited to individuals in full-time employment.
Although the programme is flexible, there is an expectation that students will contribute 20 hours weekly to discussion fora, activities, etc.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
This programme supports individuals to develop knowledge, skills and graduate attributes that will help them to prepare for specialised or leadership roles in clinical practice, or other roles within the wider veterinary profession.
Students typically report becoming empowered to take on further responsibilities within their existing workplace, often becoming the champions of practice improvement where they support their teams in embedding quality improvement structures and an evidence-based approach to the practice. Some students have also gone on to develop professional esteem by contributing to the veterinary evidence base through the publication of work on topics they have investigated for their assignments.
The programme also provides a platform for students to move into the field of research, with the potential for individuals to continue studying towards a PhD.
We have a dedicated team in our careers service waiting to help you when you graduate. Learn more about our career's service.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26
MSc
UK / EU / International:
- Total cost: £14,300
- Part-time: £1,589 per 20 credits
PgDip
UK / EU / International:
Total cost: £9,533
Part-time: £1,589 per 20 credits
PgCert
UK / EU / International:
Total cost: £4,767
Part-time: £1,589 per 20 credits
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
UK Study Online Scholarship
The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Please see UK Study Online for more details.
Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)
Eligible full-time and part-time students, undertaking an eligible postgraduate course, can apply for a tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £7,000 towards their course. Eligible full-time postgraduate students can apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500.
This support extends to online Masters or Postgraduate Diplomas, and not to the online Postgraduate Certificate courses.
For more information visit the SAAS website.
Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)
If you’re an English student looking to study a taught Masters programme in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan. Students from England are able to apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £11,570 to help with course fees and living costs. You have to repay your Postgraduate Master’s Loan at the same time as any other student loans you have. You’ll be charged interest from the day you get the first payment.
If you’re studying by distance learning, you can also apply.
Alumni Discount
In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2025/26. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.
Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students
If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
For more information visit Student Finance Wales
Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)
If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.
Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.
For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .
* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
This programme is open to Registered Veterinary Nurses who hold a Bachelor's Degree in any subject or other recognised qualification in Veterinary Nursing (FdSc, HND, RCVS Advanced Diploma, Veterinary Technician Speciality).
Applicants should have at least one year post-qualification experience.
We may also accept RVNs that hold the RCVS Level 3 Diploma with at least one-year post-qualification work experience.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham.
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
Computer requirements for studying online
Broadband internet connection
- 3 mbps or higher
Internet Browsers
Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:
Desktop:
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Edge
- Internet Explorer
Mobile:
- MobileSafari
- Google Chrome
For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date.
Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser
Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:
- Internet Explorer 10 and below
- Safari 7 and below
Computer specifications
- Processor: 2GHz
- Operating system (minimum):
- Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
- Windows 7
- Mac OS X v10.4.11+
- Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
- Hard disk: 300GB
- Sound card and microphone
- Speakers or headphones
- Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher
Mobile device specifications
- iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
- Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome
Other software
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
- Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
- Anti-virus software
Advised hardware / software
- Microsoft Office 2010
- Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
- Webcam
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Application deadlines
- Applications for this online programme will be accepted up until it starts.
More information about this programme
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