🇬🇧 Public University · Preston, England

Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) at the University of Lancashire

One of the UK's newest vet schools, with a modern, lecture-free curriculum, clinical placements from Year 1, and a strong widening-participation and contextual-admissions focus. Delivered in partnership with Myerscough College.

🎯 Prepare admission 📋 How to apply
5 years Degree length
£9,790/yr Home fees (2026/27)
TBC International fees
MMI Selection method
RCVS pending (2028) Accreditation status

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

MMI-based selection; offers driven largely by MMI score once academic and contextual thresholds are met. Approximately 57% of applicants are reported to be invited to interview (verify at lancashire.ac.uk).
  1. UCAS application

    Apply via UCAS by the 15 October veterinary deadline (course code D100). The personal statement is considered at shortlisting.

  2. Shortlisting

    Academic achievement, references and contextual information are reviewed. Applicants meeting the academic and contextual thresholds are invited to interview.

  3. Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

    Attend the MMI on campus or online. Stations typically assess motivation, communication, ethics, and situational judgement.

  4. 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).

AAB (two sciences + one other) or ABB (three sciences, or two sciences + Maths) plus a successful MMI; work experience valued but not a barrier to applying.

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 Tuition Fee & Maintenance Loans

Home (UK) students are eligible for government tuition fee loans (up to £9,790/yr for 2026/27) and maintenance loans via Student Finance England. Repayment is income-contingent (you repay only when earning above the threshold).

Contextual Admissions (Widening Participation)

UCLan operates contextual admissions — applicants from underrepresented backgrounds or whose life circumstances have affected their academic achievement may receive a reduced grade offer. This is assessed automatically from UCAS data and supporting information.

BVMS-Specific Bursaries & Scholarships

Details of any BVMS-specific bursaries or university scholarships are not yet confirmed. Verify current offerings at lancashire.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/ before applying.

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

On-campus university halls (Preston) £450 –£650 / mo
Private room in shared house (Preston) £380 –£520 / mo
Private studio / one-bed flat (Preston) £550 –£750 / mo
Total estimated monthly budget £850 –£1100 / mo

Application timeline

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

FAQ

Is the UCLan / Lancashire BVMS RCVS-accredited?
Not yet fully. It is a new degree pending RCVS accreditation, with a formal inspection expected in 2028 when the first cohort graduates. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, safeguards exist that may allow graduates to register even before full accreditation is granted (e.g. via RCVS-set examinations). Applicants should check the current official status carefully at lancashire.ac.uk and the RCVS website before applying.
Do I need work experience to apply?
Experience is valued but not a barrier — UCLan explicitly welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and emphasises motivation, understanding of the profession, and transferable skills from any setting rather than requiring a set number of hours. Verify current guidance on the BVMS application pages at lancashire.ac.uk.
What grades do I need?
The standard entry requirement is AAB at A-level (two science subjects from different science groups, plus one other subject) or ABB (three science subjects, or two sciences plus Maths). A contextual admissions route offers reduced grades for eligible applicants. No UCAT, BMAT, or ESAT is required. Verify the latest requirements and GCSE expectations at lancashire.ac.uk.
Where is the BVMS taught?
At the University of Lancashire's Preston campus, in partnership with Myerscough College & University Centre for additional facilities and placements. Students also gain experience with a network of local practices, farms and animal charities throughout the five-year programme.
What makes UCLan's course different from other UK vet schools?
Several features stand out: a lecture-free, digital-first curriculum using Anatomage virtual dissection tables and simulation suites; clinical placements from Year 1 rather than later in the programme; a strong commitment to widening participation and contextual admissions; and the Myerscough College partnership for agricultural and equine exposure. As a newer school it also offers smaller cohort sizes and innovative teaching approaches.

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