Royal Veterinary College
Overview of Royal Veterinary College
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The Royal Veterinary College is a veterinary school located in London and a constituent college of the federal University of London. The RVC was founded in 1791 and joined the University of London in 1949.
In the first two years, you will primarily be based at the Camden Campus studying basic veterinary sciences, acquiring introductory skills in handling and examining horses, farm animals and companion animals as well as developing your communication and team working skills.
In your third, fourth and fifth year you will mainly be based at the Hawkshead Campus where you will acquire knowledge and practical skills in clinical science necessary for you to participate fully in clinical practice at the RVC, collaborative practices, and in private veterinary practice. The year group size at the RVC is about 285 students.
Many of the students live at the royal veterinary college Potters Bar campus during their clinical years.
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Course Structure
The RVC Vet BVetMed programme is a strand-based course that follows a ‘spiral’ curriculum. This means that key concepts are presented repeatedly to you as you progress through the course, at deepening levels of complexity and in different contexts. Generally it follows a science based course which then leads to further clinical development especially given the breadth of cases seen at the royal veterinary college london. Studying at RVC Vet Med you will benefit from some of the best professors and teachers in England.
Intercalation
This is offered and encouraged at the Royal Vet College - this may be in Bioveterinary Sciences (BSc) or Comparative Pathology (BSc).
Curriculum Overview at RVC School
The pedagogical approach at RVC School embraces a spiral curriculum concept. Herein, students encounter various subjects initially in their first year, and these subjects are revisited in subsequent years. Each revisit is designed to deepen the understanding and complexity of topics, providing different contexts for learning. This all makes use of the RVC Learn platform.
The initial two years primarily focus on preclinical studies, which form the basis for understanding abnormal conditions during the later years of the curriculum, from year 3 to year 5.
First Year at RVC School
During the first year, the curriculum emphasizes understanding the fundamental body systems. This includes the locomotor strand, which focuses on the animal's movement mechanisms and limbs, as well as the alimentary strand, dedicated to studying the digestive system. The main aim is to establish a robust foundational understanding that will be instrumental in subsequent years when clinical knowledge is incorporated into learning. Weekly practicals serve as crucial tools for enhancing anatomy knowledge.
Second Year at RVC School
The second year, marking the end of the preclinical phase, builds upon the foundational knowledge from the first year. Students delve deeper into the previously learned strands, adding complexity and detail. To support anatomy learning, this year also includes more practical sessions and dissections, exploring the anatomy of a healthy, normal animal.
Third Year at RVC School
The third year heralds the start of the clinical phase. This is where students commence learning about various diseases and potential treatment methods.
Fourth Year at RVC School
The fourth year combines teaching sessions with clinical rotations. These rotations offer students the opportunity to observe consultations and surgeries in real-world clinics, allowing them to apply their accumulated knowledge and further expand it.
Fifth Year at RVC School
The final year at RVC School is dedicated to continued clinical rotations. This exposure helps in the solidification of acquired skills and knowledge, preparing students for their future roles in veterinary practice.
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What Makes The Royal Veterinary College London Unique?
The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed) programme offers world-leading scientific and clinical training in veterinary medicine - the RVC was voted the world’s leading veterinary school in 2019, which speaks for itself.
This exciting course builds on their extensive veterinary history, and takes a fresh approach in bringing together technological change, clinical and scientific progress, and stimulating teaching and learning methods. Students at the RVC are part of a close-knit veterinary community, but also benefit from the diversity of being part of the University of London.
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Royal Veterinary College Entry Requirements
GCSE
The Royal Veterinary College admissions process requires the following: Minimum 5x GCSEs at Grade 7 (A) including Biology & Chemistry (or Dual Science / Core Science / Additional Science / Further Additional Science) and either Physics or Maths. GCSE Level 6 (B) in English Language & Maths.
A Levels
AAA in three A Level subjects to include Biology, Chemistry and one other academic subject.
IB
766 at Higher Level including Biology, Chemistry and a third subject of your choice. The standard offer is based on specific subject-grade requirements, rather than a total points score. The ‘7’ can be in any of the Higher Level subjects. There is no third subject which is preferred or gives any special advantage in the selection process.
Scottish Higher
Advanced Highers at grades AA in Biology and Chemistry, in addition to 5 Highers at AAAAB grades including Biology, Chemistry and at least National 5* grade B in: Physics / English / Mathematics. If you have bypassed one or more of these subjects at National 5, you will need this subject/grade at Highers level.
Scottish Advanced
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RVC Additional Examinations
Applications are initially screened to see whether the applicant has completed and submitted their supplementary questionnaire by the 15 October deadline. These supplementary questionnaires are then scored by trained Admissions Officers, who consider the answers the applicant provided. The assessors are looking for:
Insight and understanding of the course/profession/College
Demonstration of motivation towards the course/profession/College
Interest and commitment to the course/profession/College
Skills and characteristics that demonstrate suitability for the course/profession/College
Written standard
The applicant’s supplementary questionnaire answers will be scored based on the above criteria. In determining these scores, and to ensure parity and fairness, the assessors will only consider the supplementary questionnaire answers as provided on their application and no additional or supplementary information. Any applicant who, on the basis of a low score in the non-academic criteria, is unsuccessful at reaching the interview threshold score will be reviewed by a second member of the Admissions Team.
This can be found here: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applicant-supplementary-form
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Course Information
Graduate Entry
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Royal Veterinary College Work Experience Requirements
140 hours: 70 hours in veterinary practices (10 full days) + 70 hours in one or more non-clinical working environments with live animals
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How Does The Royal Vet College Use The Personal Statement?
The RVC do not use the Personal Statement as part of their application review process - their detailed supplementary questionnaire acts to serve its purpose.
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Does This Medical School Have A Gateway or Foundation Year?
Website
The Royal Veterinary College Gateway Course
Description
The RVC’s Veterinary Gateway course is aimed at students who want to study Veterinary Medicine but who might not otherwise meet the entry requirements. The programme integrates an additional preparatory year designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to study Veterinary Medicine. This course is open to UK students only, who come from a 'widening participation' background.
Criteria
Royal Veterinary College Interview Questions
Approximately 35–40% of Royal Veterinary College applicants are interviewed. During this process there are common themes that are generally used in the royal veterinary college interviews. Royal Vet College Interviews are conducted in a multiple mini interview (MMI) format.
Further to this, there is an observed group task that combined with the multiple-mini interviews will give them an overall score that they then use to make offers.
Contact one of our admissions team members today for free advice on your application