Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed) programme offers world-leading scientific and clinical training in veterinary medicine. This exciting course builds on our extensive veterinary history, and takes a fresh approach in bringing together technological change, clinical and scientific progress, and stimulating teaching and learning methods.

You will gain a thorough understanding of the science underpinning veterinary practice and research, and develop fundamental problem solving, communication and team-working skills. In our busy RVC hospitals and collaborative practices, you will gain the broadest and best possible practical experience.

This comprehensive programme will help you acquire an understanding of the basic biological principles of normal body function and disease, and the ability to distinguish the pathological from the normal, to prevent disease and safely manage the processes of animal production. You will also explore opportunities to further veterinary knowledge through research, and develop the expertise to diagnose and treat disease and alleviate suffering along with the professional skills you need to work and communicate effectively in practice.

In the first two years, you will primarily be based at the Camden Campus studying basic veterinary sciences, acquiring introductory skills in handling and examining horses, farm animals and companion animals as well as developing your communication and team working skills. In your third, fourth and fifth year you will mainly be based at our Hawkshead Campus where you will acquire knowledge and practical skills in clinical science necessary for you to participate fully in clinical practice at the RVC, collaborative practices, and in private veterinary practice.

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine course is delivered across both of our campuses. You will spend the first two years primarily based at our Camden Campus, before being based at the Hawkshead Campus in the latter years.

What will I be able to do with my qualification?

You will be entitled to practice as a veterinarian as soon as you have earned your BVetMed degree and registered as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

 Our graduates go on to enjoy a wide range of careers positions in veterinary medicine, including:

• Veterinary Surgeon
• Equine Junior Clinical Training Scholar
• Associate Veterinarian
• Nutritionist Equine
• Veterinary Assistant
• PhD Researcher
• Farm Animal Vet
• Locum Veterinary Surgeon
• Science Research Laboratory Volunteer
• Senior Veterinary Inspector
• Small Animal Junior Clinical Training Scholar
• Veterinary Surgeon Intern

They also go on to work for a variety of different employers, for example:

• Kernow Farm & Equine
• CVS (UK) Ltd
• Woodcroft Veterinary Group
• Donnington Grove Veterinary Group
• Westpoint Farm Vets
• Garden Veterinary Group
• Wingrove Veterinary Services
• Companion Care Vets
• NOLA Animal Clinic
• Independent Vet Care
• Banfield Pet Hospital
• Medivet
• Vets4Pets
• Newmarket Equine Hospital

Global careers

The RVC's accreditation status with the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) and the reciprocal arrangement between the RCVS and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc (AVBC) allows BVetMed graduates to register to practise in Europe, Australia and New Zealand without requiring any further qualifications.

In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will recognise your degree as equivalent to those awarded by veterinary colleges in the United States. The RVC is the only English veterinary school accredited by the AVMA, and this gives you a unique advantage. Some of the USA's major veterinary employers recruit actively among our final year students. Please note, however, that you will be required to sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) if you intend to work in North America after qualifying. 

If you would like to apply for undergraduate studies, you must complete an application through the general undergraduate application process using the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), unless you are applying as a North American College applicant to our Veterinary Medicine course, in which case you must apply through VMCAS (see here for further details).

Please consult undergraduate course information for individual course entry requirements. Qualifications and procedures vary depending on the course you apply for.

The RVC no longer requires any applicants to sit the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) when applying to the Veterinary Medicine programme, or any other RVC course.

For any further questions regarding undergraduate courses, please contact our Admissions Office: [email protected].