About the school
The University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science opened in 2006 — the first new veterinary school built in the UK for about 50 years — and is fully accredited (RCVS, EAEVE, AVMA), supporting international practice eligibility.
The five-year course is hands-on from day one and is taught through body-system modules that are revisited as clinical subjects later in the course. Uniquely, students also gain an integrated BVMedSci research degree after year three, without adding an extra year. Nottingham consistently scores highly for student satisfaction.
Verified at nottingham.ac.uk (BVM BVS course pages, work-experience article, entry requirements), June 2026. Fees are 2026-entry first-year figures, subject to annual revision.
Campus & Facilities
Teaching is based at the rural Sutton Bonington campus (near Loughborough), a ~420-acre site with a farm, dairy centre and purpose-built veterinary facilities. Clinical training is delivered partly through a network of external Clinical Associate practices, giving a broad real-world caseload, with a largely lecture-free final year of rotations.
Academic requirements
- A-level: AAB — A in Biology (or Human Biology), A in Chemistry, and B in a third subject (excluding Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies, Global Perspectives). A pass in the science practical endorsement where assessed separately.
- IB: 32 points overall, or 6,6,5 in three Higher Level subjects (including HL Biology and Chemistry).
- GCSE: five at grade 7 (A) including Biology and Chemistry and either Physics or Maths; grade 6 (B) in Maths and 4 (C) in English Language.
- No UCAT/BMAT/ESAT required.
Work experience
Nottingham requires a portfolio of at least ~5 weeks of relevant experience within the three years before applying — built from a mix of animal-handling placements (vet practice, kennels/cattery, farm, stables, zoo, etc.), some customer-facing/teamwork experience, and up to a week or two for its free online Virtual Work Experience course. Confirm the current breakdown on nottingham.ac.uk.
Admission
Places 300
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UCAS application
Apply via UCAS by 15 October (course code D100). Choose a September or April start — both intakes follow the same curriculum.
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Online questionnaires (Personal Qualities Review)
Complete the scored online questionnaires assessing personal qualities against the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct. Results feed into the selection decision.
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Work-experience portfolio check
Demonstrate ~5+ weeks of varied experience gained within the 3 years before applying — a mix of vet practice, animal handling (farm, stables, kennels, zoo etc.) and customer-facing or teamwork roles.
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Selection interview (~30 min)
Attend the ~30-minute interview (in-person or online — confirm format at nottingham.ac.uk). Assessed on motivation, professional insight, communication, animal orientation and fitness to practise.
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Decision
Offers are based on the combined assessment: academic profile, questionnaire scores and interview performance. Most offers are conditional on AAB at A-level.
Interview & exam format
Selection includes scored online questionnaires (a "Personal Qualities Review") plus an interview of about 30 minutes assessing motivation, insight into the profession, communication, animal orientation, personal attitudes and fitness to practise. The interview is conducted in-person or online — confirm the current format on the Nottingham admissions pages.
Tuition fees
| Student profile | Annual fees | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 Home (UK) | £9.790 | £48.950 |
| 🌍 International | £41.800 | £209.000 |
⚠️ Fees reviewed annually and liable to rise each year. Verify at nottingham.ac.uk fees pages.
Scholarships & financial aid
Home (UK) students are eligible for government tuition fee loans (up to £9,790/yr) and maintenance loans via Student Finance. Repayment is income-contingent.
Over a third of UK students at Nottingham receive a means-tested core bursary. Amounts and eligibility thresholds: verify at nottingham.ac.uk/studentfinance.
Nottingham offers a range of scholarships for international students. Amounts and eligibility: verify at nottingham.ac.uk/studentfinance.
Home students access UK tuition-fee and maintenance loans. Nottingham reports that over a third of its UK students receive a means-tested core bursary. International scholarships are available. Verify current amounts at nottingham.ac.uk/studentfinance.
Cost of living
Application timeline
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15 October 2026 UCAS veterinary deadline
All UK veterinary applications must be submitted via UCAS by 18:00 UK time on 15 October. Choose your intake (September or April) on the form.
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November–January (est.) Online questionnaires (Personal Qualities Review)
Eligible applicants are invited to complete the scored online Personal Qualities Review questionnaires. Complete them promptly — results feed directly into interview shortlisting.
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January–March 2027 (est.) Selection interviews
Shortlisted applicants are invited to the ~30-minute selection interview (in-person or online). Assess motivation, professional insight, communication and fitness to practise.
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August 2027 A-level results day
Conditional offers (AAB) are confirmed or declined. April-intake students may have already started; September students confirm their place now.
FAQ
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