The Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal), awarded by TQual AB, is built for learners who want a structured route into companion animal healthcare. It combines classroom-based theory with supervised, hands-on training so learners leave with both the knowledge and the practical confidence to support cats, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs in a clinical setting.
Unlike generic animal-care courses, this diploma is unit-based and competency-focused: every topic ties back to a real task a veterinary support professional performs day to day, from patient handling to assisting with preventive healthcare programmes.
Who This Qualification Is For
This course suits:
- School leavers with a science-leaning GCSE profile who want to enter animal healthcare
- Career changers moving from general animal care or customer-facing roles into clinical support
- Existing veterinary support staff who want to formalise on-the-job experience
- Anyone exploring a long-term pathway toward working alongside a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) in practice
Entry Requirements
To enrol on the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal), learners typically need:
- Age: 18 or over at the point of enrolment
- Academic background: Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), including English Language, Mathematics, and a Science subject — Biology is preferred
- Practical access: A connection to an approved animal care or veterinary setting to complete the practical training component
- English proficiency: Since delivery is in English, international learners may need to evidence this through IELTS or an equivalent recognised assessment
- Commitment: A genuine interest in animal welfare and a willingness to work to professional and ethical standards
Course Units
The diploma is made up of six core units, each mapping to a distinct area of clinical and practical competence:
- Anatomy and Physiology of Companion Animals — body systems, breed and age variation, and how anatomy informs safe handling
- Foundations of Veterinary Nursing Practice — the nurse’s role, patient monitoring, and professional record-keeping
- Animal Handling, Restraint and Client Safety — safe techniques across species, recognising stress behaviour, and equipment use
- Anaesthesia Support and Theatre Preparation — pre-operative checks, monitoring vital signs, and aseptic technique
- Pharmacology and Medicines Management — safe storage, dosage principles, and accurate medicine recording
- Preventive Care, Nutrition and Animal Welfare — vaccination and parasite programmes, feeding plans, and owner education
What You’ll Be Able to Do
By the end of the programme, learners will be able to:
- Apply anatomical and physiological knowledge to everyday nursing tasks
- Handle and restrain companion animals safely and calmly during examinations and procedures
- Support pre- and post-operative patient care under supervision
- Maintain accurate clinical and medicine records in line with professional expectations
- Contribute to preventive healthcare programmes, including vaccination and nutrition planning
- Communicate confidently with veterinary professionals, colleagues, and pet owners
Assessment
Learners are assessed through a combination of:
- Written assignments covering theoretical knowledge for each unit
- Practical skills observation in a clinical or approved training environment
- A portfolio of evidence built up across the six units
All units must be successfully completed to be awarded the diploma.
Course Duration and Delivery
The Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) is designed to be flexible: it can be delivered full-time, part-time, or through a blended model combining classroom study with workplace-based practical training, depending on the approved training centre.
Course Fees
| Study Option | Duration | Price | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time | 30 credit hours | £400 | Tuition, assessment fees, digital course materials, certificate on completion |
| Part-Time | 30 credit hours (extended schedule) | £400 | Tuition, assessment fees, digital course materials, certificate on completion |
| Blended (online + practical) | 30 credit hours | £400 | Tuition, assessment fees, digital course materials, certificate on completion |
Fees may vary by approved training centre. Contact us for current pricing and available intake dates through https://tqualab.co.uk/ or see our approved training centres for centre-specific fee schedules.
Career Progression
Graduates of this diploma are prepared for entry-level and support roles across companion animal care, including:
- Veterinary care assistant or nursing support roles in general practice
- Client-facing and patient-care roles in animal hospitals and clinics
- Support positions in animal welfare charities and rescue organisations
- A foundation for further study toward formal Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) status through an appropriately accredited pathway
Note: this diploma builds the practical and academic foundation for veterinary support work. Learners aiming specifically for RCVS registration as an RVN should confirm which accredited route their intended employer or the RCVS recognises, as registration requirements are set independently by the RCVS.
Anyone passionate about animal welfare who wants a structured entry point into companion animal healthcare — including school leavers, career changers, and people already working informally in animal care.
Graduates typically move into veterinary support, nursing assistant, or client care roles in practices, hospitals, and welfare organisations, with the option to progress toward further veterinary nursing qualifications.
Delivery format depends on the approved training centre and may include online study, in-person teaching, or a blended approach combining both.
Through written assignments, practical skills observation, and a portfolio of evidence covering all six units.
