Skip to main content
Postgraduate, Flexible & Professional

Certificate in Clinical Governance, Leadership and Evidence Based Veterinary Care

September 2025
On Campus
1 Year

DkIT Course ID

DK_NAGOV_8

Fees (EU)

€850

Course Capacity

18

Duration

1 Year

Work Placement

No

Credits

15 ECTS credits

NFQ Level

8

Discipline Area

Science, Agriculture & Animal Health

Course Type

Postgraduate, Flexible & Professional

Study Mode

Part-Time

The next intake is Sept 2025, you can register your interest here

Course Overview

This part-time programme was developed to address skills needs identified through internal and external surveys, informal feedback, and an understanding of the current state of the veterinary industry. The areas of clinical governance, leadership, and mentoring are highly relevant to veterinary nurses and practitioners, particularly for those seeking to broaden their career options.

This part-time minor award covers the principles of evidence-based veterinary care, leadership, and clinical governance. The programme aims to equip veterinary professionals with the skills to provide optimal care based on current scientific evidence, reduce errors, and improve patient outcomes. Therefore, this programme is best-suited to Veterinary Nurses and Practitioners who are currently in or wish to move to a senior role within a practice or wish to develop knowledge, skills and attributes to pursue extended or advanced roles, such as management and leadership.

A recent research study conducted at DkIT and UCD indicated a lack of training among RVNs in mentoring, despite their frequent assumption of leadership and mentoring roles within practice teams. Learners will critically evaluate the nature and role of effective leadership in a veterinary practice and develop skills and knowledge in leadership and mentoring.

What makes this course different

Professional Development

This programme offers the opportunity for continuing professional development (and VCI CVE points)

Evidence-Based Approach

This programme supports the development of an evidence-based approach to veterinary practice, leading to improved patient care. It also facilitates the development of skills in effective leadership and mentoring.

Course Delivery and Modules

The programme will be delivered in the DkIT campus over a day per week in semester 1 and a half-day per week in semester 2.

At present it looks like the course will run Tuesdays but please note that this could change depending on teaching resources closer to the start date in September.

Fees and Funding

Total fee = €850 payable as follows:

  • Instalment 1: €200 Accept Offer fee (non-refundable) 
  • Instalment 2: €650 payable by 31st October

Fees

EU Fees

€850

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing or a Veterinary Medicine qualification, both of which must be registrable with the Veterinary Council of Ireland.  Applicants with other qualifications of relevance and suitable experience will be assessed using the DkIT Recognised Prior Learning process. Learn more about RPL at DkIT

Ask us a Question

If you have a question about the Certificate in Clinical Governance, Leadership and Evidence Based Veterinary Care please ask it below and we will get back to you.


Dr. Jade Pollock

Programme Director

Email: jade.pollock@dkit.ie

Dr Siobhan Jordan

Head of Department of Agriculture, Food and Animal Health

Email: Siobhan.Jordan@dkit.ie

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).