About the school
Founded in 1791, the Royal Veterinary College is the oldest and largest veterinary school in the UK and a constituent college of the University of London. It was ranked the world's number one for Veterinary Science in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
The BVetMed is a full-time five-year degree leading to qualification as a veterinary surgeon, following a "spiral" curriculum that revisits core concepts at increasing depth. The course holds a broad set of accreditations including the RCVS, EAEVE and the American AVMA, supporting graduates who wish to work internationally.
Verified at rvc.ac.uk (BVetMed course page, fees pages, selection-process 2026 PDF, work-experience page) and theuniguide.co.uk, June 2026. Fees subject to annual revision.
Campus & Facilities
Years 1–2 are taught mainly at the Camden campus in central London, where students build foundational science and animal-handling skills. Clinical years are based at the Hawkshead campus in Hertfordshire, home to the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, an equine referral hospital, a farm-animal practice and a teaching farm. Free transport runs between campuses.
Academic requirements
- A-levels: AAA — Biology at A, Chemistry at A, and a third subject at A (General Studies excluded). A* grades are not required and give no advantage. A pass in the science practical endorsement is required where applicable.
- Contextual offer: ABB (with an A in Biology or Chemistry) for applicants meeting Widening Participation criteria.
- GCSE: typically five subjects at grade 7 (A) including Biology and Chemistry — verify exact current GCSE profile on rvc.ac.uk.
- No UCAT/BMAT/ESAT required.
Work experience
140 hours total, completed within the 18 months before the application deadline: 70 hours (about 10 days) in one or more veterinary practices (clinical), plus 70 hours in one or more non-clinical animal environments (e.g. farm, kennels/cattery, shelter, stables, zoo, pet shop — excluding the home/family business or pet ownership). Evidence is submitted via a supplementary form, not the UCAS personal statement.
Admission
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UCAS application
Apply via UCAS by the 15 October veterinary deadline.
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Supplementary questionnaire
Complete the RVC's online form (work experience + suitability) — the RVC does NOT score the UCAS personal statement.
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Scoring & shortlisting
Academic profile + questionnaire are scored to select candidates for interview (threshold varies yearly).
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MMI + group task
Attend the in-person MMI (6 stations) and observed group task.
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Offer decision
Offers made on interview score; RVC aims to confirm outcomes on a published timeline.
Interview & exam format
Multiple Mini Interview (MMI): 6 stations of ~5 minutes each, plus an observed group task. Stations assess non-academic attributes (insight into and commitment to the profession, communication, suitability). For 2026 entry, interviews are held in person. Post-interview offers are based on interview score.
Tuition fees
| Student profile | Annual fees | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 Home (UK) | £9.790 | £48.950 |
| 🌍 International | £47.960 | £239.800 |
⚠️ Set/reviewed annually; first-year figure may rise in later years. Verify at rvc.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.
Scholarships & financial aid
UK (Home) students can access UK government tuition-fee and maintenance loans via Student Finance England. The RVC also runs bursaries and a Work Experience Support Programme for eligible Widening Participation applicants, and offers some international scholarships. Specific amounts/eligibility: verify at rvc.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.
Cost of living
Application timeline
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15 Oct 2025 UCAS application deadline (2026 entry)
Submit your UCAS application by the veterinary medicine deadline of 15 October 2025 for 2026 entry. Late applications are not accepted.
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Oct–Nov 2025 RVC supplementary questionnaire
Complete the RVC online supplementary form (work experience log + suitability questions) promptly after your UCAS submission.
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Nov–Dec 2025 Shortlisting
RVC scores academic profile and questionnaire responses. Invitations to MMI sent to shortlisted candidates.
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Jan–Feb 2026 In-person MMI interviews
MMI at RVC Camden or Hawkshead campus: 6 short stations + group task (~45 min total). Date assigned by RVC.
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Mar–May 2026 Offers issued
Conditional or unconditional offers sent via UCAS Track. Applicants must reply by the UCAS reply deadline. Key dates each cycle: verify at rvc.ac.uk.
📊 What happens to graduates
Aggregate public data with sources cited, verified 23/09/2026.
Sectors of practice
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52% 🟡clinical practice · cohorte 2024AGRÉGÉ UK — proportion de nouveaux diplômés UK entrant directement en pratique clinique en 2024 (contre 73% en 2019, 83% en 2014). Non ventilé par école.
Median salary
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2 917 € brut/mois 🟡gross monthly at 15 months · cohorte 2023Median salary £35,000/yr = ~€2 917/mois brut à taux 1 GBP = 1,15 EUR (23 sept 2026)
Student composition
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196 students 🟢first year intake · cohorte 2024 · N=196RVC 2023/24 admissions Y1: 107 UK + 14 EU + 75 Overseas🇬🇧 54.6% 🇪🇺 7.1% 🌍 38.3%
⚠️ 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
Does the RVC read my UCAS personal statement?
How much work experience do I need?
Do I need an A* at A-level?
Is the interview in person or online?
Is the BVetMed recognised for working abroad?
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