BVSc Veterinary Science

This is a jointly hosted Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree providing you with a unique opportunity to train as a veterinary surgeon at two world-leading scientific and educational institutions: The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and Aberystwyth University.

The course combines the scientific and clinical expertise from both organisations to help students gain wide-ranging veterinary training, and it will be especially appealing to those interested in veterinary careers within Wales or in rural mixed practice.

UCAS code:  D105

Institute code: RVET R84

See our Guide to becoming a Vet - Aberystwyth University

Overview

Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science is delivering the BVSc Veterinary Science degree in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). This means that during the course, students will study at Aberystwyth University for the first two years and then at the RVC Hawkshead Campus for the final three years. This provides the opportunity to study at two world-leading institutions:

  • Aberystwyth University was established in 1872, and for over a hundred years has been delivering innovative research in the Agriculture, Animal and Biological Sciences.
  • The RVC was established in 1791 and is the UK’s largest and longest established independent veterinary school.  It is a member institution of the University of London. The RVC is ranked as the world’s number one veterinary school in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024.

 

Course Details

Teaching is organised in strands. These strands are visited on multiple occasions, initially focusing on the healthy animal, and progressing through diseases of different systems, their investigation and management. There are also non-system strands that focus on the underpinning science and the impact of animal disease on public health.

In the first two years you will be based in the heart of Wales at Aberystwyth University, studying the biology underpinning veterinary sciences, acquiring basic farm animal, horse and companion animal handling and examination skills, developing your communication, problem solving and team working skills. Aberystwyth University has a long history of animal health teaching and research and is committed to educational excellence.

In your third, fourth and fifth years you will be based at the RVC’s Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire where you will acquire the advanced knowledge and practical skills in the clinical sciences necessary for you to become a registerable veterinarian. During this period your clinical training will be undertaken in a range of the RVC’s clinical facilities and affiliated veterinary practices as well as a specific rotation at Aberystwyth University focused on production animal issues relevant to Wales.

The RVC has three outstanding academic and clinical departments. Lecturers at Aberystwyth University and the RVC in each department are not only world-class researchers and clinicians who are passionate about their field; they are highly qualified teaching professionals. At Aberystwyth University, students will benefit from the extensive university farms, Lluest Equine Centre and other teaching facilities.

The strands making up the basis of teaching are as follows:

From first to the third year:

Principles of Science

Locomotor

Cardiovascular and respiratory

Urogenital: renal

Urogenital: reproduction

Alimentary system

Neurology and special senses

Lymphoreticular and haematopoietic

Skin

Population medicine and veterinary public health (PMVPH)

Scholarship evidence-based medicine.

During the fourth and fifth years:

The majority of teaching during the fourth and fifth years of the programme is in the form of clinical rotations, where you will work in small groups in a variety of clinical environments. 

Students participate in both intramural rotations and ClinEMS placements across species and disciplines. They will also undertake a research project of their choice.

 

 

Extra-Mural Studies (EMS)

Extra-mural studies (EMS) are an essential part of undergraduate veterinary education for all veterinary degrees in the UK. This is a requirement of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) who are the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and set the standards for veterinary education. 

Students are expected to organise their own EMS placements, including obtaining approval from the relevant institution. EMS cannot be undertaken during formal teaching time.

There are two types of EMS, depending on the stage of study:

Animal Husbandry Extra-Mural Studies (AHEMS)

AHEMS is undertaken during the first two years of the programme. AHEMS placements are designed to help you consolidate your learning about animal husbandry, develop animal handling skills, and learn about animal industries. You must complete 10 weeks of AHEMS before entry to the third year of the course. 

Clinical Extra-Mural Studies (ClinEMS)

ClinEMS is the time dedicated to gaining practical clinical experience in the latter years of your veterinary science programme to support your learning and clinical experience. ClinEMS will allow you to gain experience in a variety of different clinical and other veterinary-related organisations, where you will consolidate your learning about diagnosis and management of animal diseases, enhance your practical clinical skills, and acquire greater understanding of how veterinary organisations operate. During the third, fourth and fifth years you will undertake ClinEMS placements, totalling 20 weeks of placements. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All veterinary students will be expected to provide certain personal protective equipment for use during practical work.

Below are a list of items required for the first two years at Aberystwyth University. We suggest a budget of £150-250.

If you are unsure of where to buy the items, we suggest you order directly from Monmark, a clothing supplier that stocks the required items. Aberystwyth University has no commercial relationship with Monmark, nor does it benefit financially from using them. We suggest using Monmark as they are familiar with supplying veterinary students at other UK schools.

We will contact you prior to your course start date with details and order forms for these items.

Required:

  • One Howie-style lab coats, white.
  • Scrub top, pale blue.
  • Boiler suit, grey.
  • Short sleeve waterproof parlour top.
  • Waterproof trousers.
  • Wellington boots, black or suitable dark colour, with steel toe cap.

Optional:

  • Safety spectacles
  • Additional boiler suit, grey.
  • Dissection room wellington boots, white.
  • Sturdy boots (e.g. steel toe capped "dealer" boots).

 

Employability

Employability

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) accredits UK veterinary degrees to ensure new veterinary surgeons are fit to practise on graduation, and thus eligible to join the RCVS Register as Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Only those individuals registered with the RCVS can call themselves veterinary surgeons and practise veterinary surgery in the UK. The RVC, Aberystwyth University and the RCVS are working closely together to ensure that our BVSc course meets the standards required for the RCVS to grant full accreditation in 2026 when the first cohort of students graduate.

Graduates develop an in-depth scientific knowledge that may be applied to a broad range of career pathways including the spectrum of clinical practices, veterinary and biomedical research, veterinary public health and food security, conservation medicine and a range of activities with government and veterinary-related industries. Additionally, having trained partially in Wales throughout the degree, graduates will be extremely well-suited to continue their career in Welsh practices and other veterinary institutions and employers.

Entry Requirements

Aberystwyth University's admission policy is found here. For all inquiries relating to admissions, please contact us at vet-info@aber.ac.uk.

Please note however, all applications are managed by the RVC Admissions Team and the standard academic requirements for entry to the BVSc programme are outlined below.

A Levels

AAA in three A Level subjects:

  • Biology at grade A 
  • Chemistry at grade A 
  • A third subject of your choice. The third A Level subject should not overlap with Biology or Chemistry.
  • Contextual offers available

We also require a 'pass' in the science practical for each subject, where taking the English curriculum.

Contextual Offers

Offers of ABB (with an A in Biology or Chemistry) will be made to those meeting certain Widening Participation (WP) criteria. No separate application is required but care leavers should submit proof from the relevant local authority once they have applied.

We support the opportunity to take additional subjects at AS Level, but do not prescribe or prefer any particular subject choices or combinations.

  • A* grades are not required and predictions for A* will not give advantage at selection or offer stage over applicants predicted A.
  • There is no third subject which is preferred by selectors or gives any special advantage in the selection process. Science and non-science subjects are treated equally for the third subject.
  • Restrictions apply to re-sits to all qualifications - see 'FAQs' tab.

See additional GCSE requirements below.

Welsh Baccalaureate 

Applicants who achieve the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate with grade A will be accepted with two A Levels:

  • Biology at grade A
  • Chemistry at grade A

Please also see notes under the 'A Levels' tab above.

Contextual Offers

Offers of ABB (with an A in Biology or Chemistry) will be made to those meeting certain  Widening Participation (WP) criteria (further information to be provided shortly).   No separate application is required but care leavers should submit proof from the relevant local authority once they have applied.

Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers

Advanced Highers at grades AA in:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry

In addition to 5 Highers at AAAAB grades including:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry

and at least National 5* grade B in:

  • Physics
  • English
  • Mathematics

* If you have bypassed one or more of these subjects at National 5, you will need this subject/grade at Highers level. 

Contextual Offers

Offers of AB in Biology and Chemistry will be made to those meeting certain Widening Participation (WP) criteria. No separate application is required but care leavers should submit proof from the relevant local authority once they have applied.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including Biology and Chemistry. H1 required in one of these sciences.  

Minimum O3 is required in:

  • Physics*
  • English
  • Mathematics

* where Physics is not available at Leaving Cert level, we'll consider a high grade in Junior Cert Science. 

International Baccalaureate

666 at Higher Level including:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • A third subject of your choice 

Our standard offer is based on specific subject-grade requirements, rather than a total points score. The ‘6’ can be in any of the Higher Level subjects. 

There is no third subject which is preferred or gives any special advantage in the selection process.

See additional GCSE requirements below.

Where candidates have not taken GCSEs or an equivalent qualification prior to the IB Diploma, they will need a minimum of grade 5 in:

  • SL Mathematics: Analysis and approaches
  • SL English A (or grade 6 in English B)

and must also demonstrate competency in Physics (e.g. MYP Science grade 6+).

Mathematics: Applications and interpretation cannot be accepted in lieu of Mathematics: Analysis and approaches.  

Diplomas and Further Certificates (including Access and L3 Extended Diploma)

All qualifications below are considered on top of existing Level 2 requirements (e.g. GCSEs, National 5s, O Levels, etc). If you are not sure you have equivalent qualifications, please contact us at admissions@rvc.ac.uk

Access to HE Diploma (England and Wales)

Diplomas must be Science-based and include a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits in Biology at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits in Chemistry at Distinction. You must achieve at least Merit in all other graded Level 3 credits.

See the Access to Higher Education website to search for possible courses in your area. We do not accept on-line versions of the course.

Birkbeck College's CertHE in Life Sciences for Subjects Allied to Medicine

Distinctions must be achieved in the Chemistry and Biology modules.

See the Birkbeck website for further details.

Level 3 Extended Diploma 

Applied Generals

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science / Applied Science (Biomedical Science): D*D*D* overall with Distinctions in:

  •  Principles and Applications of Science I (90)
  •  Principles and Applications of Science II (120)
  •  Science Investigation Skills or Contemporary Issues in Science (120)
  •  Two of: Applications of Organic Chemistry; Applications of Inorganic Chemistry; Practical Chemical Analysis (120)

In addition:

For Applied Science: at least three units from Group A must be taken with Distinctions achieved.

For Applied Science (Biomedical Science): at least four units from Group A must be taken with Distinctions achieved in three of them.

Tech Levels

City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management (Science): D*D*D* overall with Distinctions in:

  • Biological Systems of Animals
  • Synoptic Assessment (1)
  • Synoptic Assessment (2)
  • Theory Exam (2)
  • Undertake Investigative Project in the Land-Based Industries

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Animal Management (1080)**: D*D*D* overall with Distinctions in:

  •  Animal Biology (120)
  •  Animal Breeding and Genetics (120)
  •  Animal Welfare and Ethics (120)
  •  Practical Skills in Animal Science (60)
  •  Animal Metabolism (60)
  •  Advanced Animal Nutrition (60)
  •  Investigative Research Project (60)

Level 3 Extended Diploma (unreformed syllabus)

Pearson Applied Science (2010 syllabus) QCF

D*D*D* overall required, including Distinctions in all the following units:

  • Genetics and Genetic Engineering
  • Physiology of Human Body Systems AND/OR Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction
  • Biochemistry and Biochemical Techniques AND/OR Chemistry for Biology Technicians
  • Biomedical Science Techniques AND/OR Chemical Laboratory Techniques
  • Using Statistics in Science AND/OR Informatics in Science

Pearson Animal Management (2010 syllabus) QCF

D*D*D* overall required, including Distinctions in all the following units:

  • Understand the Principles of Animal Nutrition
  • Understand the Principles and Carry Out the Practice of Biochemistry and Microbiology 
  • Understand the Principles of Inheritance and Genetic Manipulation 
  • Fundamentals of Science 
  • Chemistry for Biology Technicians OR Understand the Principles of Chemistry for Biological and Medical Science

Cambridge Pre-U

Distinctions (D3 or higher) in three Principal Subjects:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • A third subject of your choice

There is no third subject which is preferred by selectors or gives any special advantage in the selection process. Science and non-science subjects are treated equally for the third subject.

Applications are welcome from those who meet our science requirements and are taking a combination of A Levels and the Cambridge Pre-U. Offers will be made on an individual basis, depending on the combinations.

GCSE (only in addition to other qualifications)

At least five GCSEs at grade A (7) including:

  • AA in Science (Double Award)/7-7 in Combined Science or Biology and Chemistry or Science and Additional Science.

 with at least a grade 6 (B) in:

  • English Language or Welsh Language, with at least a grade 4 (C) in the second language if both were taken
  • Mathematics
  • Physics (if taken as a separate GCSE)

For further information on our policy on reformed UK qualifications, please click here.

Welsh applicants: please note, GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy will not be accepted instead of GCSE Mathematics but is welcomed alongside it, and as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate.

International and EU Applicants

Information on applications from international and EU applicants can be found here.

Further advice on the acceptability of your qualifications please send details, referring to each of the required subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and English) to admissions@rvc.ac.uk

More information useful to international applicants on arrival to Aberystwyth can be found here.

Applications will not be considered from students currently on a degree programme unless they are in their final year.

Graduates holding related degrees

If you have a Bachelor's (Hons) degree in a relevant biological sciences discipline, equivalent to a 2:2, or a Bachelor's without honours at 2:1 or above (e.g. 3-year from Australia, South Africa), you can be considered for the BVSc programme (D105). Applicants will need to be prepared to provide secondary school level transcripts/certificates as these may be used in conjunction with their degree to assess an applicant's viability. 

If you have a Bachelor's (Hons) degree in a relevant biological sciences discipline, equivalent to a 2:1, you can apply directly to the RVC's Graduate Accelerated BVetMed (D102) programme. You are welcome to apply to the BVSc (D105) instead/as well but must be prepared to fund, and study on, the 5-year programme; no transfer to D102 is available post-application. 

If you are currently studying for a Masters degree we will only consider your application for deferred entry, as receipt of the Masters results and proof of the completion of the degree occurs too late to enrol on a new course in the same calendar year as the Masters degree is completed. 

Graduates holding non-related degrees

Applicants with a degree from a non-related discipline will need to meet the standard academic entry requirements stated above (in addition to work experience). 

Graduate finance

Graduate applicants eligible for a loan from Student Finance England (SFE) should be aware that financial support is different for applicants taking BVSc as a second degree. Guidance can be found hereWe recommend contacting SFE directly with any further queries. 

Transferring into BVSc

It is not possible to transfer to the BVSc course from a degree programme partly completed at another university, nor can we use partial qualifications towards entry.

Internationally-qualified veterinarians

International applicants already holding a Veterinary Medicine degree who are seeking to practice in the UK are not eligible to apply for this course and should refer to the registration department of the RCVS.

English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

The below table contains a full list of all English language qualifications which Aberystwyth University and the RVC accept as alternatives to IELTS.

All students who have not taken IELTS must demonstrate they meet our English language requirements through one of the below qualifications before they can enrol with the college, with the exception of those have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in a country listed as exempt by the UKVI.

Students from European countries whose national qualifications include acceptable English language qualifications will be able to see this in the entry requirements for their country. 

 

Where IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in each component is required

Cambridge C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English)

185 overall and no less than 176 in each section

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English)

185 overall and no less than 176 in each section

Cambridge International Exams (CIE) O Level

Grade B in English Language

European Baccalaureate

English L1 grade 7.0

Option Internationale du Baccalauréat (OIB) Anglais

Grade 14 in English

GCSE English Language

Grade B (6)

HKDSE (Hong Kong)

Grade 5 in English

IGCSE English Language (as a first language only)

Grade B (6) (including reading, writing, speaking, listening)

Irish Leaving Certificate

O3 or Ordinary Level grade B

International Baccalaureate Higher Level

HL English A at grade 4

HL English B at grade 5

International Baccalaureate Standard Level

SL English A Lang-Lit or Lit at grade 5

SL English B at grade 6

Matric (South Africa)

Grade 6 in English Home Language

Pearson Test of English (PTE)

Overall score of at least 69 with no less than 62 in each section

Scottish qualifications

National 5 grade B in English, or Intermediate 2 or Standard Credit grade 2

SIPCAL (Singapore)

Grade B in Secondary 4 IP Language Arts/English Language

STPM (Malaysia)

Grade B in English

TOEFL (iBT test only)

Overall score of at least 101 with no section below 23

 

 

Work Experience

To apply for the BVSc, applicants will need to have prior work experience in order to have developed animal handling skills and obtained an insight into the work of veterinary surgeons.

Before applying, the following minimum requirements must have completed:

  • A total of 70 hours (e.g. 10 full days) of work experience (paid or voluntary) in one or more veterinary practices
  • A total of 70 hours in one or more non-clinical working environments with live animals (excl. the home environment/family business/pet ownership), with at least 35 in large animal (excluding horse riding and horse ownership/family farm)

The above 140 hours must be obtained within the 18-month period directly preceding the application deadline. Earlier experience is welcome but will not count towards the 140-hour requirement.

Support Available to Students

Internal support is available to students at Aberystwyth University Student Help and Student Services.

FELS QR Support Flyer

 

Other external support networks available for veterinary students:

VetLife – support for the veterinary community www.vetlife.org.uk

AVS – the Association of Veterinary Students www.avsukireland.co.uk

Mind Matters Initiative (www.vetmindmatters.org)

Others include British Veterinary LGBT+ (BVLGBT+), British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS)

Interviews

All applicants to this course must attend an interview if invited and cannot receive an offer without attending an interview. Interviews will usually be held at Aberystwyth University in December.

Invited applicants will be required to bring to the interview their passport (in some cases, another valid form of photo ID will be acceptable), original certificates for their GCSEs and (if already completed) A Levels or equivalent qualifications and reference letters to cover the minimum work experience requirements as stated in the Work Experience section above.

Bursaries

Up to date information on those bursaries available for veterinary students can be found below:

Accreditation

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) quality assures veterinary degrees at UK vet schools by means of specific accreditation standards.

Graduates from accredited schools join the RCVS register as members allowing them to practise veterinary surgery in the UK.

Aberystwyth University, the Royal Veterinary College and the RCVS are working together to ensure that the new degree meets these standards and that graduates will be eligible for registration. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, veterinary degrees must have a “recognition order” from the Privy Council before graduates can automatically be eligible for registration with the RCVS.

The Privy Council will take advice from RCVS on this. The process takes a number of years as full approval cannot be considered until after the RCVS undertakes a formal inspection of the full course and its standards in 2026 when the first cohort of students will have completed their degrees.

Until that time, both institutions are liaising regularly with the RCVS to ensure that progress towards accreditation is maintained.

Should any unforeseen issues arise, the Veterinary Surgeons Act includes a provision to help ensure that those completing their final exams in an as-yet-unapproved degree may still be allowed to register, in that the Privy Council may invite the RCVS to set examinations for any students attending a non-approved UK veterinary degree course, or alternatively appoint RCVS External Examiners to oversee the standard of the final year examinations. Students who pass the RCVS-controlled examinations would then be able to register with the RCVS and practise as veterinary surgeons in the UK, regardless of the outcome of the degree’s accreditation process. This is in line with the arrangements for any new veterinary degree programmes.

 

Programme Specification

Details of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) Programme Specification are available here.