Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia

This programme is entirely online and will provide students with a unique opportunity to study anaesthesia and analgesia in animals in their own time and supported by a team of world-renowned staff.   

Accreditation of this programme was awarded by The Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists in 2022.

Students will gain knowledge and understanding in the equipment, drugs and techniques associated with anaesthesia and analgesia, as well as specific challenges for different species groups. Our team can provide a wide range of clinical and research experience across many species.  The programme offers the opportunity to study for a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or a Master’s degree. 

Studying online enables you to choose the time and location that suits your personal and work commitments. You will benefit from being part of an online community, where interaction with other students and tutors in a supportive environment is part of the learning process.  

A suitable starting point for the programme would be a veterinary graduate, a science graduate using anaesthesia during their research or a graduate veterinary nurse, although this list is not exhaustive.  

If you would like to discuss the programme, please get in touch at msc-vaa@ed.ac.uk 

MSc, PGDip, PGCert, PPD

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This programme has been accredited by the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists (AVA).

The Association was established in 1964 to promote the study of and research into the subject of anaesthesia and analgesia in animals.  It also publishes the Journal of  Veterinary  Anaesthesia and has been active in the founding of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia. 

The online, part-time format of our teaching is particularly suited to students with busy lives.  The flexible learning environment can be adapted to suit individual needs and online study allows you to study at a location that is convenient for you.

The School has been teaching online taught postgraduate programmes since 2008 and online learning is treated as seriously as in-person.  Our digital teaching platform has a dedicated e-learning team to ensure the teaching runs smoothly and students have access to support and welfare staff throughout their studies.

This programme will be supported by an experienced team of two programme co-directors, co-ordinator, administrator and course leaders and each student is provided with a professional mentor and student adviser.

Key features of the programme are pre-recorded lectures that you can view at any time, study guides, textbook and journal excerpts and interactive online discussions, enabling students from a range of disciplines to bring their unique perspectives to build a community of online students.

How online learning works at the University of Edinburgh

The MSc programme begins in September and runs part-time over a period of 3-6 years. The programme is delivered using a blend of online learning methods, supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.  

Students enrolling onto standalone short courses may have start dates throughout the academic year.

The programme is structured to allow sequential progression from short courses* to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases however, there are several earlier exit points.

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Students can opt to take time out from learning if work or family life are impacted too much. It is also possible to pay per course** to help spread the cost of your studies.

*^{also referred to as the Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme}

**^{The University uses the terminology 'course', and sometimes 'module', to refer to the individual components that make up a degree programme}

Certificate and Diploma

The Certificate phase comprises core courses from within the programme (see Content tab). Students have the option to select courses which are species specific which enables you to tailor the programme to your interests and professional requirements. 

The Diploma phase comprises of elective options from within the programme (see Content tab). 

Masters (MSc)

The dissertation element gives students the opportunity to further develop scientific skills and apply scientific theory, in a less structured learning environment. 

The dissertation is designed to advance your understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop your scientific written communication skills, research ethics, statistics and the principle of good research practice.

This is a self-directed course but you are supported by an allocated subject-specific expert supervisor, statistician and experienced researchers from within the programme team. 

20 credit courses (elsewhere often called ‘modules’) are delivered in 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study plus 1 week of independent study and reflection time in between.

10 credit courses are delivered over a period of 5 weeks. The majority of the lecture material is pre-recorded so that it can be watched at any time.

Each 10 credits represents 100 hours of study time and a time commitment of 20hrs per week.

Year 1: Certificate 

Core courses: 

Students are expected to select two courses from below, at least one of which must be a species course: 

To avoid repetition the species courses assume knowledge from the Basic sciences and Clinical anaesthesia: equipment & the patient courses.  If you are considering taking one of the species anaesthesia courses as PPD and are unsure about whether your pre-existing knowledge is adequate, please get in touch to discuss.

Year 2: Diploma 

Students may choose from the following options:

Year 3: Masters 

Course availability 

Although all courses are offered, we will not be able to guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year. This will be dependent upon numbers of students and availability of places on non-programme owned courses. 

The Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through postgraduate-level learning, without the time, or financial commitment, of a full award.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.

You can also choose to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Masters degree.  Any time spent taking courses through the PPD scheme will be deducted from the amount of time you have left to complete the higher award.

To view the Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia short courses available within the PPD scheme and details on how to apply, please visit the Credit-bearing standalone short courses page. 

We have a number of internationally recognised experts in their field contributing to the teaching of this programme.  All the team have significant experience working in anaesthesia and have a wide range of professional interests.

This programme is aimed at individuals working with animal anaesthesia who wish to develop their knowledge and critical thinking in these subject areas. 

An undergraduate degree, with an excellent or very good classification (equivalent to first or upper second-class honours in the UK), in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing or a degree in a related science subject with appropriate practical experience may be accepted subject to individual approval. 

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place. 

English language requirements 

Tuition fees 

Please note that you can pay for the programme on a course (module) basis. Each course is 20 credits and the dissertation year is equivalent to 60 credits. 

Tuition fees for online learning

Tuition fee discount for some of our former graduates 

Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

The University of Edinburgh subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies.  The guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application including.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online

Scholarship information 

It is recommended that you conduct your own research on this, but you can refer to the University Scholarship website to view suggestions on Scholarships. 

Online distance learning scholarships 

ITA Scotland 

Get up to £200 towards the cost of a training course with an SDS Individual Training Account (ITA). 

You could use the money to build the skills you need for a job. Or get some training to take your career to the next level. Whatever you want to do, there is a wide range of ITA approved courses on offer. 

ITA Scotland 

UK government postgraduate loans 

If you are planning to study with us, you could be eligible for a postgraduate loan towards your fees. From this year, online programmes are also eligible for this funding (please note, restrictions apply). 

This funding is available for UK nationals, those with settled status, and in some cases, EU nationals not resident in the UK. 

Learn more about postgraduate loans and submit your application 

To apply for this course please follow the instructions given here: 

Veterinary Anaesthesia & Analgesia (Online Distance Learning) 

Register interest 

If you would like more information about this new MSc programme, please complete a webform to register your interest. 

Register interest 

Reference 

You must submit a reference with your application. 

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes: 

How to apply

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