Veterinary Medicine and Surgery including a Preliminary Year BVM BVS with BVMedSci

IB score: 32 points overall or 6,6,5 in three HL certificates IB requirements:

Must not have both HL chemistry and HL biology

7.5 (no less than 7.0 in any element)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country

A levels

Any subjects at A level to include, at most, only one of biology or chemistry at AS level or A level

A pass in science practical tests will be required, where these are assessed separately.

GCSEs

A minimum of five GCSE grade A's (level 7), including:

• Chemistry (at Grade B/ Level 6), or the science double award or applied science)
• Maths must be passed at Grade B (level 6)
• English Language* at Grade C (level 4).*

*Applies to Home applicants. International and EU applicants still require IELTS 7.5 overall with no less than 7.0 in any one element.

Applicants who achieved their A Levels and have the required grades prior to application only need to hold GCSE English Language at C or 4 and GCSE Maths at B or 6.

Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies and Global Perspectives

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Alternative qualifications

Access courses

We will consider applicants who have undertaken access courses on an individual basis.

• Access to HE Diploma 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit

BTEC

• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus 1 A Level grade A
• RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A Levels grades AB (no specific subjects required - can't include both biology and chemistry)

Scottish Advanced Highers

• Minimum of AA in Advanced HIgher level, including, at most, only one of biology or chemistry.
• Minimum grades of AABBB in Higher level. Cannot include both biology and chemistry
• Minimum of five grade As in National level 5, including grade B in chemistry and maths. Minimum of grade C in English language

Degree

• First undergraduate degree, or a postgraduate degree such as a Masters or PhD in a non-animal, non-biology or non-chemistry-related subject
• GCSE Grade B (6) in maths and grade 4 (C) in English language

Or

• 2:1 undergraduate degree, in a non-animal, non-biology or non-chemistry-related subject
• A level grades BB, including at most, only one of biology or chemistry*
• GCSE Grade B (6) in maths and grade 4 (C) in English language

Or

• 2:2 undergraduate degree, in a non-animal, non-biology or non-chemistry-related subject
• A level grades AAB, including at most, only one of biology or chemistry*
• GCSE Grade B (6) in maths and grade 4 (C) in English language

Registered Veterinary Nurses

Registered Veterinary Nurses can apply with RVN qualification, with supporting GCSE grades of 6 (B) in maths and 4(C) in English language.

*excluding citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies and global perspectives.

**or double science or core science, additional science, further additional science.

Registered Veterinary Nurses

Registered Veterinary Nurses can apply with RVN qualification, with supporting GCSE grades of 6 (B) in maths and 4(C) in English language.

*excluding citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies and global perspectives.

**or double science or core science, additional science, further additional science.

Mature Students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We will consider other qualifications taken by international students on an individual basis. These qualifications will need to be equivalent to our UK A level and GCSE requirements.

Interview

You will need to attend an interview, lasting approximately 30 minutes. This will assess your:

• motivation, insight into a veterinary career and interest in veterinary topics
• academic ability, communication skills, animal orientation, personal attitudes and fitness to practice as a veterinary surgeon

Students with disabilities

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 requires that veterinary surgeons are able to give at least basic and emergency treatment to all common domestic species. Students with any disability should contact the school for advice before applying. Please read the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Fitness to Practice Guidelines.

Students with criminal convictions

All students are required during the admissions process to disclose any criminal convictions. We do not discriminate against conviction or other information revealed. Please read the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Fitness to Practice Guidelines.

Work experience

You'll need a minimum of 5 weeks work experience. Work experience can be done over varying hours and days and should include:

• A minimum of 3 weeks of animal handling
• Up to 2 weeks of either customer facing and/or teamwork experience
• Up to 1 week for the completion of the Virtual Work Experience and Exploring the Veterinary Profession free online course.

All experience needs to be completed within three years prior to application and by the 15 October application deadline. Work experience booked after this date will not be taken into consideration.

View the admissions process for our veterinary medicine courses.

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.