Veterinary nursing
MSc with a major in Veterinary nursing
Do you want to take veterinary nursing into the future, with focus on research and development?
PROGRAMME INFORMATION
The program gives you a good foundation for postgraduate education and knowledge to sustainably and ethically conduct development work, innovation and work in animal health care today and in the future. The program is based on relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects with a clear connection to research and business in animal health and medical care. The studies give you in-depth knowledge in, among other things, animal care in medicine, surgery, anaesthesiology, acute / intensive care, and rehabilitation.
A master's degree in veterinary nursing does not entail the opportunity to apply for Licentiate as a Veterinary Nurse.
UN's sustainable development goals in the education
SLU's educations creates knowledge, which contributes to the goals for sustainable development, both in Sweden and internationally.
Tuition Fees:Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.
First semester:SEK 97500
Total:SEK 390000
Application deadline for international students:2026-01-15
Study location:Uppsala
Pace of study:Full-time
Teaching form:On-campus
Application code for international students:81134
Requirements:
General entry requirements: First-cycle (Bachelor’s) qualification, comprising a minimum of 180 credits or equivalent qualification from a foreign higher education institution.
Specific entry requirements: 90 credits of specialised study in one of the following subjects/main fields of study: • veterinary nursing • veterinary medicine
In addition, knowledge equivalent to the Swedish upper-secondary school course English 6 is required.
Degree:
Degree awarded on completion of the programme
The Master’s Programme in Veterinary Nursing leads to the general qualification of the Degree of Master (120 credits). Other qualifications may be awarded provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. See SLU’s system of qualifications.
Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a degree will be issued a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will contain the title, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Veterinary Nursing.
Degree requirements
The Degree of Master of Science with the stated major will be awarded upon successful completion of 120 credits, of which 90 must be from second-cycle courses that meet the following requirements:
• a minimum of 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field of study (A1N; A1F); • a minimum of 30 credits from a degree project in the main field of study (Master’s dissertation/A2E).
Additionally, students must have successfully completed a Degree of Bachelor, a professional qualification comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or have an equivalent qualification from abroad.
The Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) may contain a maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses, provided these credits were not included in a Degree of Bachelor or its equivalent.
CONTENT
The program provides a broad knowledge in the field, in-depth theoretical and methodological knowledge in animal health and medical care, as well as insight into current research and development work. Skills in working independently and in groups, seeking new and relevant knowledge, expressing oneself in writing and orally are practiced continuously during the program. The program put emphasis on the ability to analyse solutions from an ethical, efficiency and sustainability perspective. The education also includes recurring parts of a professional approach with e.g. collaboration within and between professions, as well as communication. The program ends with an independent work of 30 credits, with the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in a current issue in the main area. The studies provide good knowledge in scientific theory and a good foundation for postgraduate education.
CAREER
Career opportunities include, in addition to an academic career, innovation work and advanced work in veterinary care, medical technology, entrepreneurship, product development and work in government agencies. A master's degree makes it possible to apply for postgraduate studies.
Examen
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Veterinary Nursing.
A master's degree in veterinary nursing does not entail the opportunity to apply for Licentiate as a Veterinary Nurse.
SYLLABUS
Programme syllabus
120 Higher Education credits
Programme Code: VM007
Education plan decided: 2021-09-09 SLU ID: 2021.3.1.1-1477 Education plan valid from: Autumn 2022
Entry Requirements
General entry requirements: First-cycle (Bachelor’s) qualification, comprising a minimum of 180 credits or equivalent qualification from a foreign higher education institution.
Specific entry requirements: 90 credits of specialised study in one of the following subjects/main fields of study:
• veterinary nursing
• veterinary medicine
In addition, knowledge equivalent to the Swedish upper-secondary school course English 6 is required.
Content
Programme description
The Master’s Programme in Veterinary Nursing can lead to doctoral studies and provides students with the knowledge necessary for working both sustainably and ethically with development, innovation and veterinary nursing. The programme draws on relevant scientific, social and ethical elements with clear links to research, industry and the future professional role.
Internationalisation is made possible through collaborations with higher education institutions abroad that offer Bachelor’s programmes in veterinary nursing. Thanks to these collaborations, it is possible to conduct study visits, projects and work with the independent project abroad.
During their first year, students will take a range of closely linked courses. In the second year, students choose further courses and complete an independent project. They will develop both broad subject knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the theoretical knowledge and methods in veterinary science. Students will also gain insight into research and development work. Students will develop skills for working both independently and in groups, and for seeking new and relevant knowledge. Throughout the programme, students will have the opportunity to practise their written and oral skills. The programme emphasises the ability to apply ethical, efficient and sustainable perspectives to analysing solutions, and includes elements of professional attitudes. Throughout the programme, students will learn about and practise communication and collaboration skills with other professionals and animal owners.
The first year provides students with a good understanding of the philosophy of science thus preparing them for their independent project, and teaches scientific approaches relevant to their future careers. The programme provides students with advanced knowledge of veterinary nursing, medicine and surgery, assessment and treatment methods for rehabilitation and veterinary nursing for anaesthesiology and emergency/intensive care.
In-depth subject study continues during the second year of the programme. Knowledge is applied to relevant projects and is used in discussions with societal stakeholders. The programme concludes with an independent degree project worth 30 credits, in which students can apply their knowledge and skills to a relevant topic in their major. The programme provides students with a good understanding of the philosophy of science and creates a solid basis for doctoral studies.
The programme is taught in English.
Courses in the programme
Year 1
Veterinary nursing- a scientific approach, 15 credits (Veterinary nursing, A1N)
Veterinary nursing within emergency and intensive care, 15 credits (Veterinary nursing, A1N)
Medical and surgical veterinary nursing 2, 15 credits (Veterinary nursing, A1F)
Independent project in Veterinary Nursing, 30 credits (Veterinary nursing, A2E)
The courses offered may change during the programme. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.
Each course on the programme has its own syllabus that describes the course content and other specifics. Detailed information on when the courses are offered is available on the SLU student web.
Objectives
General objectives
The general objectives for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Swedish Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).
Objectives for a Degree
In accordance with the appendix to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, for a Degree of Master (120 credits), the student must meet the following objectives:
Knowledge and understanding
For the Degree of Master (120 credits), the student must:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field, in addition to insight into current research and development work. The student must also demonstrate in-depth knowledge of methodology in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
For the Degree of Master (120 credits), the student must:
• Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake specialised tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work.
• Demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• Demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
For the Degree of Master (120 credits), the student must:
• Demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical considerations and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work.
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Qualification Requirements
Degree awarded on completion of the programme
The Master’s Programme in Veterinary Nursing leads to the general qualification of the Degree of Master (120 credits). Other qualifications may be awarded provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. See SLU’s system of qualifications.
Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a degree will be issued a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will contain the title, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Veterinary Nursing.
Degree requirements
The Degree of Master of Science with the stated major will be awarded upon successful completion of 120 credits, of which 90 must be from second-cycle courses that meet the following requirements:
• a minimum of 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field of study (A1N; A1F); • a minimum of 30 credits from a degree project in the main field of study (Master’s dissertation/A2E).
Additionally, students must have successfully completed a Degree of Bachelor, a professional qualification comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or have an equivalent qualification from abroad.
The Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) may contain a maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses, provided these credits were not included in a Degree of Bachelor or its equivalent.
Transitional Provisions
Other rules
Successful completion of the Master’s Degree in Veterinary Nursing does not provide students with the qualification necessary to be able to apply for a licence to practice veterinary nursing in Sweden.
OtherInformation
General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes
For more information on semester dates, examination and credit transfer, see the Regulations for education at Bachelor´s and Master´s level available on the SLU student web.
Possibilities for further studies
It is possible for students to continue onto third-cycle (doctoral) studies once they have successfully completed the Master’s Programme in Veterinary Nursing and have been awarded their degree.
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