The College of Animal Welfare

16/10/2026

One of the most common questions aspiring veterinary nurses ask is whether they can begin training without having worked in a veterinary practice before. 👩‍⚕️

It is possible to begin veterinary nurse training without prior employment or experience in a practice. Some students start their journey with little or no professional experience working with animals. However, while experience is not always required to start training, it is very valuable and will support your application to study veterinary nursing. ✅

Here, we explore why work experience is important, the types of work experience you could seek, and veterinary nurse training options for people without experience ⬇️ https://tinyurl.com/xwdrbr54

15/10/2026

Looking for a job in animal care but need a qualification? 🐾

The City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Work-based Animal Care is the perfect starting point - and it takes just 12 weeks to complete! 🤩

If you have been looking around at animal care jobs, you will have found that employers highly rate experience and qualifications. This short, practical course is ideal if you’re looking to gain a recognised qualification to strengthen your CV and help you stand out when applying for animal care jobs. The course can be undertaken alongside just 12 days of employment or voluntary work in a suitable animal care environment (such as a boarding kennel or cattery) across the programme.

You can choose what you study based on your job role and interests, with units covering essential skills like feeding, accommodation, safe handling/restraint, training and exercising, and basic animal health. 🐶🐱

At only £550 plus awarding body fees, this course is an affordable and achievable first step into a rewarding career with animals. ✅

Join the course now at ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/kethmzp2

15/10/2026

RVNs ... Don't let your annual CPD requirement deadline haunt you this Halloween... 👻

Instead, treat yourself to a new skill with our short on-demand video presentation, Hocus Pocus - Utilising Ultrasound to Improve Patient Care & Outcomes. 🔮

By the end of the session, you'll be able to:

Understand the basic controls of the ultrasound machine to optimize your ultrasound scan image quality

Understand when ultrasound can come in useful under a veterinary nursing job role

Recognise different organs and what is a normal appearance/structure when carrying out FAST scans

Know how to carry out a FAST ultrasound scan in useful situations with a systematic approach

On completion you will receive a certificate and earn 1 hour of CPD. why not enrol today and complete at a time convenient to you?

Further details and registration: https://www.caw.ac.uk/mooc/?cid=152

14/10/2026

Are you a Registered Veterinary Nurse with a diploma or foundation degree? Have you considered topping up your qualification to a BSc Honours degree? 🎓

If so, you're invited to our next free webinar on Wednesday 28 October 2026 from 7pm-8pm to find out more about the BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing Top-Up Degree (Middlesex University)!

Join us to:
✅ Meet the programme leader, Lauren, and student engagement officer, Jess
✅ Find out how the course is delivered and what you will study
✅ Clarify the entry requirements and application process
✅ Explore the fees and finance options
✅ Ask any questions you may have about studying with us

Whether you're looking to enhance your clinical expertise, boost your career prospects, or simply continue your academic journey, this event will provide everything you need to know about topping up to a full honours degree.

Register at ⬇

This webinar will explore the BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing Top Up degree run by The College of Animal Welfare and Middlesex University

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

Ready to turn your passion for horses into a profession? Don't forget, we're enrolling now for the Level 3 Diploma in Equine Veterinary Nursing, starting in January 2027! 🐴

This programme provides the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and practical experience required to become a qualified equine veterinary nurse, supported every step of the way by our expert tutors.

Key facts 🔍
🐎 2.5 year course
💻 1 day per week of online lessons, plus 10 practical training days at our Huntingdon centre throughout the programme
👩‍⚕️ You must be employed in an equine or mixed (companion animal and equine) veterinary training practice in England
🥽 Free VR headset provided on loan to support learning and help you prepare for practical exams
📚 Apprenticeship route available

On completion of the course, you'll be eligible to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses, opening the door to a rewarding career in equine veterinary nursing.

Apply to start in January 2027 at ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/jrpw8trw

13/10/2026

New in November: Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) Awareness Week! 🤩

We're excited to launch our very first from 9th–15th November 2026 – a week-long campaign celebrating Veterinary Care Assistants and the important contribution they make to veterinary teams and animal welfare. 👩‍⚕️

During the second week of November each year, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the varied role of VCAs, recognising the people working within the profession and showcasing the career opportunities available. 💚

Whether you're a VCA, student, veterinary professional, employer or someone considering a career working with animals, we invite you to get involved. Share your experiences, celebrate the work of VCAs and help us raise awareness of this important role within veterinary practice. ✅

Find out more about the campaign and download our FREE resources to get started ⬇ https://tinyurl.com/4v9rw4ju

Our annual campaign showcasing veterinary care as a skilled and rewarding profession. Find our more!

12/10/2026

If you're working as a receptionist in a veterinary practice, have you considered studying the VetSkill Level 2 Certificate for Veterinary Receptionists? 👩‍💼

This 6-12 month course is a great way to build confidence, sharpen your skills, and gain a recognised qualification. Tailored specifically to the veterinary environment, the programme covers the key skills you need to provide an effective front-of-house service to veterinary clients.

📚 What you’ll study:
✔️ Maintenance of a veterinary reception area
✔️ Assisting with the supply of veterinary products
✔️ Principles and practice of veterinary reception
✔️ Working safely in a veterinary practice
✔️ Essentials of veterinary terminology

💻 Study 100% online alongside work or volunteering in a vet practice - learn at your own pace, wherever you are in the UK.

💸 Our Loans2Learn scheme can help you spread the cost of learning into smaller monthly payments. For example, a loan for the full course fee of £1,650 over three years would equate to monthly repayments of just over £50 per month (please note this is an indicative price based on current fees and interest rates).

Apply now at ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/vn5rws4c

12/10/2026

🐦Our Early Bird deadline for Nutrition Congress ends this Friday 16 October!

✅ Nutrition Congress is a one-day virtual event focusing on animal nutrition. This congress offers 7 hours of evidenced CPD and this year we are welcoming a range of expert industry speakers to deliver lectures.

🙏 You'll have the chance to network with fellow veterinary nurses and connect with virtual exhibitors including Millpledge Veterinary, Pet Remedy, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Purina Pro Plan, Vets for Pets, Vetlife, The College of Animal Welfare, and CAW Business School.

🎫Take a look at our packed agenda and book a place via this link: https://tinyurl.com/udtfrnh9

10/10/2026

Looking for a career with long-term potential?

We’re enrolling now for our City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 Dog Grooming qualifications starting in January or April 2027 - a fast and practical way to start training as a professional dog groomer! 🐶

Dog grooming is a skilled profession that offers opportunities to work with dogs, develop skills and build a long-term career. Whether you're looking for a career change or hoping to turn your interest in dogs into a profession, dog grooming could be worth exploring.

During the courses, you’ll train for one day per week in our fully-equipped dog grooming salons in Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire) or Tingley (near Leeds), gaining hands-on experience alongside qualified groomers in a real working environment. ✂️🐾

With courses running throughout the year, no academic entry requirements for Level 2, and financial support available through our Loans2Learn scheme, now is a great time to invest in a skill with long-term potential.

View our upcoming start dates and apply at ⬇

Dog Grooming Courses at CAW