ASC 17/16
University of Glasgow
Academic Standards Committee - Friday 6 October 2017
Cover Sheet
Robbie Mulholland, Clerk to the Joint Liaison Committee
The attached paper is a proposal from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to introduce a BSc Veterinary Nursing / BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing programme in session 2018-19.
The normal duration of the programme will be: BSc Veterinary Nursing – three years (full-time) and the BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing – four years (full-time). The final year will also be available by part-time study (normally over two years) by distance learning. Years 1-3 will be delivered from the SRUC Barony Campus, Dumfries and Year 4 is expected to be delivered from the SRUC Edinburgh Campus.
SRUC advises that ‘the new RCVS Royal Charter came into effect [in 2015] giving formal recognition to Veterinary Nursing as a profession. This move towards professional status has been supported by significant changes in the programmes available to candidates in order to achieve Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) status, with 19 Universities and Colleges (often with one or more subsidiary sites) in the UK now offering either Foundation or Honours Degree programmes in Veterinary Nursing’. ‘As a result of this it is important that SRUC is responsive to these changes’ and ‘the degree programme will better equip graduates with these abilities by enhancing the development of their skills, particularly in reflection and critical thinking’.
ASC is asked to consider and approve in-principle the introduction of a BSc Veterinary Nursing/BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing at SRUC commencing in September 2018. Subject to in-principle approval of the proposal by ASC, SRUC will arrange a validation event and submit a report on this to ASC later in session 2017-18.
ASC is asked to note the possible resource implications for the University (see Anticipated Costs. p. 8-9). [The Clerk to the Joint Liaison Committee will arrange to clarify with SRUC which specific University facilities SRUC students are entitled to access].