About the school
The University of Lancashire (formerly the University of Central Lancashire, UCLan) offers a five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) at its Preston campus. It is one of the UK's newest veterinary schools, with a curriculum built around small-group, interactive teaching and digital tools (such as Anatomage virtual dissection tables and simulation suites) rather than traditional lectures, and clinical placements from Year 1.
Important accreditation status: the BVMS is a new degree that is not yet fully RCVS-accredited. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, a new veterinary degree needs a "recognition order" from the Privy Council, advised by the RCVS, and full approval cannot be considered until a formal RCVS inspection of the complete course — expected in 2028, when the first cohort graduates. The Act contains provisions allowing graduates of an as-yet-unapproved course to still register (e.g. via RCVS-set examinations). Applicants should read the current status carefully on the official site.
Verified at theuniguide.co.uk (UCAS course data for University of Lancashire BVMS) and lancashire.ac.uk / UCAS, June 2026. New programme — accreditation status and fees subject to change; re-check official pages.
Campus & Facilities
Teaching is based at the Preston campus in Lancashire, with access to animal handling, husbandry and clinical facilities, and a partnership with Myerscough College & University Centre plus a network of local practices, farms and charities for hands-on experience.
Academic requirements
- A-level: AAB (two science subjects + one other) or ABB (three science subjects, or two sciences + Maths). The school defines acceptable "science groups" and the two sciences must come from different groups.
- Contextual admissions: a reduced entry tariff is available for applicants whose life experience has affected their academic performance.
- No UCAT/BMAT/ESAT required.
- GCSE profile: verify the exact requirement at lancashire.ac.uk.
Work experience
A lack of vocational or animal experience is not a barrier to applying — UCLan emphasises motivation, understanding of the profession, and transferable skills from any setting. Experience is valued but there is no strict hours requirement. Verify current guidance on the BVMS application pages at lancashire.ac.uk.
Admission
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UCAS application
Apply via UCAS by the 15 October veterinary deadline (course code D100). The personal statement is considered at shortlisting.
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Shortlisting
Academic achievement, references and contextual information are reviewed. Applicants meeting the academic and contextual thresholds are invited to interview.
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Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)
Attend the MMI on campus or online. Stations typically assess motivation, communication, ethics, and situational judgement.
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Conditional offer
Offers are based largely on MMI performance. The conditional element is the A-level grade requirement (AAB or ABB depending on science combination).
Interview & exam format
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). Once academic and contextual thresholds are met, offers are determined largely by MMI performance (grades form the conditional part of an offer). A third-party source indicates roughly 57% of applicants are invited to interview — verify the current figure at lancashire.ac.uk.
Tuition fees
| Student profile | Annual fees | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 Home (UK) | £9.790 | £48.950 |
| 🌍 International | — | — |
⚠️ Verify the BVMS international fee directly at lancashire.ac.uk before applying.
Scholarships & financial aid
UK (Home) students access Student Finance England tuition-fee and maintenance loans. The university highlights contextual admissions and a strong wellbeing programme. Specific bursaries and scholarships for the BVMS: verify at lancashire.ac.uk.
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. Course code D100 for the BVMS at the University of Lancashire.
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November–January (est.) MMI invitations
Eligible applicants who meet academic and contextual thresholds are invited to the Multiple Mini Interview. Verify exact timings at lancashire.ac.uk.
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January–March 2027 (est.) Multiple Mini Interviews
MMI sessions held on campus or online. Stations assess motivation, communication, ethics and situational judgement. Conditional offers are issued based largely on MMI performance.
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August 2027 A-level results day
Conditional offers (AAB or ABB depending on science combination) confirmed or declined. Contact the admissions team promptly if your results differ from predictions.
📊 What happens to graduates
Aggregate public data with sources cited, verified 23/09/2026.
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🟢graduate outcomes data availability · cohorte 2025UCLan/Univ of Lancashire BVMS: first cohort intake 2020, first graduates 2025. RCVS accreditation NOT yet granted as of 2026 (contrast with Harper & Keele which received RCVS accreditation Oct 2025). HESA Graduate Outcomes survey runs 15 months post-graduation, so earliest data for first cohort will be published late 2027. No verified employment metrics currently exist.
⚠️ Pilot — 5 schools covered so far. Coverage varies by the official reports available (AlmaLaurea IT, HESA/RCVS UK, aggregate 4-ENV FR survey). Missing metrics will be enriched in future waves.
FAQ
Is the UCLan / Lancashire BVMS RCVS-accredited?
Do I need work experience to apply?
What grades do I need?
Where is the BVMS taught?
What makes UCLan's course different from other UK vet schools?
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