Veterinary nursing graduates from Anglia Ruskin University will be fast-tracked into the profession after its degree and foundation degree were granted full accreditation by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The BSc in veterinary nursing and applied animal behaviour and FdSc in veterinary nursing and applied animal behaviour are delivered on behalf of Anglia Ruskin by the College of West Anglia at Milton, Cambridge.

The approval by the RCVS means that students graduating from the courses can now join the Register of Veterinary Nurses without having to undertake a pre-registration examination.

Dr Marian Bond, the Anglia Ruskin veterinary nursing liaison with the College of West Anglia and the RCVS, said: “Anglia Ruskin and the College of West Anglia have worked in close cooperation with the RCVS since the inception of the degree courses to provide an excellent academic and practical experience for the students.

“The automatic inclusion of our graduates in the Register of Veterinary Nurses, without the need for any additional pre-registration examinations, will be of great benefit to them.”

Ali Santos, director of Veterinary Nursing at the College of West Anglia, said: “We are delighted with the news that the RCVS have granted our degree full accreditation.

“We look forward to working with all of our students, both current and prospective, to train more excellent veterinary nurses.”

The RCVS is the UK’s regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, and sets, upholds and advances veterinary standards. Julie Dugmore, head of veterinary nursing at the RCVS, said: “We would like to congratulate Anglia Ruskin University and the College of West Anglia on this achievement.

“The decision was made after a number of stringent audits during which we looked at the university’s quality assurance policies, visited the college and its associated training practices, observed examinations and interviewed students on the course.”