🏛️ About UCLan School of Veterinary Medicine
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is the newest veterinary school in the UK, opening its doors to the first cohort of students in September 2024. Based in Preston, Lancashire, UCLan’s vet school was established to help address the UK’s critical shortage of veterinary professionals, with a strong emphasis on widening participation, clinical skills, and employability.
The BVM&S (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery) is a 5-year programme with provisional RCVS accreditation (the standard status for new vet schools, working towards full accreditation). UCLan offers one of the lowest standard entry requirements of any UK vet school (BBB), reflecting a deliberate commitment to making veterinary education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. The school benefits from UCLan’s strong health sciences faculty and purpose-built modern facilities.
Preston Campus — Veterinary Education Centre
The vet school is based at the purpose-built Veterinary Education Centre on UCLan’s Preston campus, featuring a clinical skills laboratory, anatomy suite, and modern teaching spaces designed from the ground up for veterinary education. Clinical teaching takes place at the UCLan Veterinary Hospital and through partnerships with local veterinary practices across Lancashire and the North West, providing students with diverse clinical experience across multiple species and practice settings.
Veterinary Education Centre · Clinical skills lab · Anatomy suite · UCLan Veterinary HospitalSource: uclan.ac.uk, RCVS accreditation records
📋 Entry Requirements — BVM&S (5-year)
A-level requirements
- Typical offer: BBB — Biology required at A-level, Chemistry at A-level or AS-level preferred
- One of the lowest standard offers of any UK vet school — designed for widening participation
- Contextual offers of BBC may be available for eligible widening participation students
- A ‘pass’ in the science practical endorsement is required for each science A-level
UCLan’s BBB offer is deliberate and principled — not a sign of lower quality. The school was founded on the belief that academic grades alone do not determine who will become an excellent vet. By setting one of the lowest entry thresholds in the UK, UCLan opens doors for talented students from diverse backgrounds — including those from lower-income households, underrepresented communities, and non-traditional educational pathways. The BVM&S is provisionally RCVS-accredited, with rigorous selection through the MMI process ensuring admitted students have the aptitude and motivation to succeed.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
- 30 points overall, with 5, 5, 5 at Higher Level
- Biology must be taken at Higher Level
- Chemistry or another science at Higher Level preferred
UCLan accepts a range of international qualifications. Specific equivalencies vary by country and qualification type. For guidance, check the UCLan international entry requirements page or contact the admissions office. All applicants must demonstrate strong performance in Biology and ideally a second science at an equivalent level.
GCSE requirements
- Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics
- Grade 4/C in science subjects
- Solid GCSE profile expected across core subjects
Admissions test
- No pre-interview admissions test required
- UCLan does not require the UCAT, BMAT, or any other standardised test
- Selection is based on the UCAS application (personal statement, academic record, school reference) and MMI performance
English language requirements
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with minimum 6.5 in each component
- Other accepted tests include TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE Academic, and Cambridge C1 Advanced — check uclan.ac.uk for full list
- Applicants whose first language is English or who have completed a degree taught in English may be exempt
Sources: uclan.ac.uk/courses/veterinary-medicine, ucas.com
🐾 Work Experience
Work experience is essential for all applicants to the UCLan BVM&S. The school recommends a minimum of 6 weeks of animal-related experience, including at least 2 weeks in veterinary practice, plus experience with a range of animal species. The quality of your reflection matters more than the number of hours.
UCLan values genuine reflection over hour-counting. While 6 weeks is the recommended minimum, what matters most is your ability to articulate what you observed, what surprised you, what challenged you, and what you learned about the realities of veterinary life. Breadth across species and settings is encouraged — demonstrating experience with different animal types shows commitment and adaptability.
🏥 Clinical veterinary experience
- At least 2 weeks in a veterinary practice (small animal, mixed, equine, or farm)
- Observe consultations, surgeries, and client interactions
- Understand the day-to-day realities of veterinary work
- Experience across different practice types valued
- Reflect on challenges, rewards, and ethical dilemmas
🌿 Broader animal experience
- Farm work (dairy, sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry)
- Equine yards or stables
- Kennels, catteries, animal shelters or rescues
- Wildlife rehabilitation or conservation
- Exotic animal experience (zoos, wildlife parks)
Keep a reflective log throughout your work experience — record dates, locations, species encountered, and most importantly, what you learned and how it shaped your understanding of veterinary medicine. At your MMI interview, you will be asked to discuss your experiences in depth. Focus on specific moments that genuinely affected you rather than listing activities. UCLan values insight into the realities and challenges of veterinary practice.
Source: uclan.ac.uk/courses/veterinary-medicine
📝 Application Process — Step by Step
Step 1 — UCAS application
All applications go through UCAS (ucas.com). You can apply to up to 4 veterinary medicine programmes on UCAS (plus one non-vet choice). Your personal statement must clearly demonstrate your motivation, breadth of animal experience (minimum 6 weeks recommended, including 2 weeks veterinary), and reflective thinking about the veterinary profession.
UCAS deadline for veterinary medicine: 15 October each year (same as all UK vet schools). For 2027 entry: 15 October 2026. Submit on time or several days early to avoid technical issues. UCLan may consider late applications in some circumstances — check the UCLan website for the latest guidance, but do not rely on this.
Step 2 — Shortlisting
Applications are reviewed based on academic record, personal statement, and school reference. UCLan assesses evidence of work experience (minimum 6 weeks recommended, including 2 weeks veterinary practice), motivation, and understanding of the veterinary profession. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview. There is no pre-interview admissions test.
Step 3 — MMI interview
Shortlisted candidates attend a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) — a series of short, timed stations assessing different competencies (see detailed format below).
Step 4 — Offer
Conditional offers are communicated via UCAS, typically from January onwards. Standard offers are conditional on achieving BBB at A-level (or IB equivalent). Widening participation contextual offers may be BBC. Final confirmation depends on exam results released in August.
Step 5 — Widening participation
UCLan’s widening participation ethos is central to its mission. The BBB standard offer is itself one of the lowest of any UK vet school, and eligible applicants may receive a further-reduced contextual offer of BBC. The school actively supports applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, including those from lower-income households, areas with low rates of higher education participation, and non-traditional educational pathways. Check eligibility criteria on the UCLan website.
Sources: uclan.ac.uk/courses/veterinary-medicine, ucas.com
🎤 Interview Format — MMI
UCLan uses a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, which is the most common interview format among UK vet schools. The MMI consists of a series of short, timed stations, each assessing different competencies and skills relevant to veterinary medicine.
How the MMI works
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple short stations (typically 6–8), each lasting 5–8 minutes |
| Assessors | Different assessor at each station — reduces individual bias |
| Station types | Scenario-based, ethical dilemma, communication, motivation, teamwork, data interpretation |
| Focus | Communication skills, ethical reasoning, motivation, empathy, problem-solving |
| Rotation | Candidates rotate between stations with a bell or timer |
What the MMI assesses
- Communication skills — ability to explain concepts clearly, listen actively, and interact professionally
- Ethical reasoning — thinking through ethical dilemmas in veterinary practice (e.g., euthanasia, cost of treatment, animal welfare vs. owner wishes)
- Motivation for veterinary medicine — why you want to be a vet, why UCLan, what sustains your commitment
- Empathy and emotional awareness — understanding the impact of veterinary decisions on animals, owners, and colleagues
- Problem-solving — approaching unfamiliar scenarios logically and calmly
- Work experience reflection — thoughtful discussion of what you observed and learned during your placements
- Understanding of the profession — awareness of challenges facing veterinary medicine, including workforce shortages and mental health
- Teamwork and collaboration — ability to work with others under pressure
The MMI is designed to assess your overall suitability for a career in veterinary medicine, not to test academic knowledge. UCLan is looking for candidates who demonstrate genuine motivation, strong communication skills, ethical awareness, and resilience. As a new school focused on widening participation, UCLan values authenticity and potential over polish. Be yourself, think aloud, and show that you understand the realities of veterinary life.
Practise discussing ethical scenarios out loud — consider animal welfare dilemmas, cost-of-care decisions, and the emotional toll of veterinary work. Reflect deeply on your work experience and be ready to discuss specific moments that shaped your understanding. Research what makes UCLan distinctive (newest school, purpose-built facilities, small cohorts, widening participation, Preston location). Practise with a timer — MMI stations are short and you need to make your points concisely. Do not memorise scripted answers — assessors can tell.
Sources: uclan.ac.uk/courses/veterinary-medicine, student testimonials
💰 Tuition Fees 2025–2026
| Student status | Annual tuition fee | Total over 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| UK Home student | £9,535/year | ~£47,675 |
| International student | ~£32,000–£36,000/year | ~£160,000–£180,000 |
Since 2021/22, EU, EEA, and Swiss students starting new courses are generally classified as international students and pay international fees (~£32,000–£36,000/year), unless they have settled or pre-settled status in the UK. This is a significant cost difference. Verify your fee status at uclan.ac.uk before applying.
UCLan offers bursaries and scholarships for UK students from lower-income households, in line with its widening participation mission. International students may be eligible for merit-based scholarships. The UK government provides tuition fee loans and maintenance loans for eligible Home students. As a new programme, introductory fees or scholarships may be available — check uclan.ac.uk/fees-and-funding for current opportunities.
As UCLan’s vet school opened in 2024, international fees may be introductory and subject to change. Always verify the latest fee information directly on uclan.ac.uk before making financial plans or applying.
Sources: uclan.ac.uk/fees-and-funding. International fees are approximate — always verify on uclan.ac.uk before applying.
🏠 Cost of Living — Preston
One of the most significant advantages of studying at UCLan is the exceptionally affordable cost of living. Preston is consistently ranked as one of the cheapest cities in the UK for students, with significantly lower accommodation and living costs compared to London, Edinburgh, Cambridge, or even most other university cities. This makes the total cost of a 5-year veterinary degree considerably more manageable.
Total monthly budget estimate
| Expense | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | £300–£550 |
| Food & groceries | £120–£220 |
| Transport | £20–£60 |
| Books & course materials | £15–£50 |
| Personal / social / misc. | £50–£130 |
| Total estimate | £700–£1,000/mo |
At £700–£1,000 per month, UCLan Preston offers one of the lowest costs of living of any UK vet school. Compare this to London (RVC) at £1,200–£1,800+, Cambridge at £1,000–£1,500, or Edinburgh at £900–£1,400. Over 5 years, the savings can be substantial — potentially £15,000–£35,000 less than studying in a major city. Preston also has excellent transport links — direct trains to London (2.5 hours), Manchester (1 hour), Liverpool (1 hour), and Edinburgh (2.5 hours).
Total cost over 5 years for an international student: tuition ~£160,000–£180,000 + living ~£42,000–£60,000 + UK visa costs. The all-in cost can reach £210,000–£250,000. The Immigration Health Surcharge is approximately £776 per year of visa. While the cost of living is very affordable, international tuition fees remain substantial. The lower living costs do make UCLan one of the more affordable options for international vet students in the UK.
Sources: uclan.ac.uk/accommodation, student reports, NUS cost of living surveys