Royal Veterinary College

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.

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.

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.

Universities revise entry requirements between cycles, usually in August and September. Always confirm with the university before you apply.

Still sitting your GCSEs? Protect the grades this course screens for with 1-1 GCSE Maths, Biology and Chemistry tutoring from medics.

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A total of 140 hours: 70 hours (e.g. 10 full days) in one or more veterinary practices, plus 70 hours in one or more non-clinical working environments with live animals (excluding the home environment, family business or pet ownership). The full 140 hours must be obtained within the 18-month period directly preceding the application deadline. Earlier experience is welcome but does not count towards the 140 hours.

The RVC do not use the Personal Statement as part of their application review process - their detailed supplementary questionnaire acts to serve its purpose.

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.

The Royal Veterinary College selects for its BVetMed veterinary medicine degree using a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) made up of several timed stations, each designed to assess a specific non-academic attribute rather than academic content. Alongside the stations, applicants take part in an observed group activity/task; the MMI and group task scores are combined into an overall score used to make offers.

The official RVC 2026-entry selection document confirms that for 2026 entry all interviews are held in person, with no virtual option offered. Communication is assessed at every station in addition to the domain being tested.

Approximately 35 to 40 percent of applicants are interviewed. The exact number of stations and per-station duration vary between third-party accounts (commonly reported as around six stations of roughly five minutes plus a ten-minute group task, or a total sitting of about 45 minutes), so treat those specifics as indicative and check the RVC website for details.

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