Veterinary nursing application and interviews
Our advice to help you prepare
Congratulations on being invited for or a test or interview for our Veterinary Nursing courses. This is an opportunity for us to find out about you and your journey so far.
Remember that there are no trick questions and we'll try our best to make you feel comfortable and at ease.
How we'll assess you
During the interview, we will be looking for the following knowledge:
- Demonstration of your knowledge and understanding of the role of a Veterinary Nurse
- Experience of caring for animals and challenges for personnel providing this care in veterinary practice
- Awareness of a Registered Veterinary Nurse’s role and responsibilities in the field
We highly recommend you read the following material for additional information and guidance given by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) relating to recruitment for veterinary nursing programmes:
- Guidance on recruitment
- Fitness to Practise: A Guide for UK Providers of Veterinary Nursing Education and Student Veterinary Nurses
- RCVS: Day One Competences for a Veterinary Nurse
Your outlook
- Evidence of appropriate personal awareness, empathy and caring approach
Your skills and qualities
- Clear and coherent communication skills
- Good time management skills
- Knowledge of, and coping strategies for the challenges of the programme
- Knowledge of advantages and disadvantages of working in teams
- Able to carry out practical tasks with accuracy and efficiency
You should expect to spend around three to four hours with us. You will need to bring along a form of ID such as your passport or driving license.
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Purpose of on-line testing
The on-line initial assignment is designed to evaluate the level at which you are currently working in English and Maths, at the end of each assessment the system will provide you with confirmation of the result that will also be available to us.
You should ensure that you exercise due diligence in completing these tests to achieve the best result to demonstrate your ability.
Please read our assessment guide for more information.
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Work experience
We have asked to see evidence of work experience that you have undertaken in a Veterinary Practice. We require at least 4 weeks, of which 2 weeks should have been undertaken prior to your interview and within the last two years.
Work experience must be supported by a satisfactory reference(s) which needs to be:
- On practice headed paper
- Or be officially stamped
- Signed by either a Veterinary Surgeon or a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
If you have completed the work and not received the reference, contact the practice and advise them that you need the reference letter in order for your application to Middlesex University to progress.
Any other experience working with animals, caring for others, employment and team participation is of interest to us and should also be evidenced.
Any additional animal handling experience such as rescue/wildlife/animal charity/kennel/cattery is helpful but not a substitute for experience in veterinary practice.
What to bring to the interview
Please bring your ORIGINAL documents and a set of photocopy.
- Photo ID - Passport or Driving Licence
- Original Academic Certificates - GCSE/'O' level, 'A' Level and/or any other equivalent certificates already achieved
- References - Veterinary Practice and animal work experience - minimum 2 weeks (if not provided earlier)
- Original Birth Certificate
Please bring along your original documents and a set of photocopies of same for retention by the Admissions Tutor.
Course specific interview questions
You will be asked to discuss the following Veterinary Nursing topics at your interview. We want to see that you have researched and, where necessary, considered your response carefully and are able to provide a rationale for your answer.
There will be a professional discussion that will be a group based task. Please research and make notes on the following topics and note that you will not be able to bring these notes into the interview.
Topic 1: The problems faced by brachycephalic dog and cat breeds
You may find the following reading a useful starting point:
- Health and welfare of brachycephalic dogs - British Veterinary Association
- Mounting evidence to prove that flat-faced cat breeds are suffering - International Cat Care
Topic 2: Breed specific legislation, is it working?
You may find the following reading a useful starting point:
- The Dangerous Dogs Act 25 years on: How effective has it been? - BBC News, Devon
- Euthanasia of animals - Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
- Dangerous Dogs Law: Guidance for enforcers - Departments of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
After your interview
We aim to contact you within seven working days to inform you of the outcome of your interview. If you are successful we will update your UCAS track record with your offer and the conditions you need to meet. You will also receive an email from us if you have been successful.
