RVC Fact Sheet
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC)
The Royal Veterinary College is one of the world’s leading specialist veterinary institutions. It is the largest and oldest independent veterinary school in the UK and an independent College of the Federal University of London.
The College provides support for the veterinary profession through its referral hospitals, diagnostic services and continuing professional development courses.
Our Vision
To provide leadership in veterinary science and education through innovative scholarship and pioneering clinical activity
Leadership
Professor Quintin McKellar, Principal
Baroness Shephard of Northwold, Chair, RVC Council
A history of tradition and innovation
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1791 | Founded as the London Veterinary College in Camden Town, signalling the initial development of the veterinary profession in the UK |
| 1792 | First four students admitted to the College |
| 1796 | John Shipp becomes the first qualified veterinary surgeon to join the British Army |
| 1895 | The College acquires its first X-ray machine |
| 1924 | Construction of the Research Institute in Animal Pathology, headed by Sir John McFadyean |
| 1932 | The Beaumont Animals’ Hospital opens |
| 1949 | RVC becomes a school of the Federal University of London |
| 1958 | The Hawkshead field station is opened |
| 1986 | The Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals opens to the public |
| 2001 | Opening of the London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC) |
| 2007 | Launch of the Centre for Excellence in teaching and learning, the LIVE Centre |
Research Areas
Musculo-Skeletal Biology; Reproduction, Genes and Development; Cardiovascular and Inflamation Biology and Infection and Immunity
Degree Programmes
RVC offers a broad range of degree programmes across a number of specialist fields and is the major provider of education for the veterinary professions in the UK.
The College offers 12 degree programmes and has a student population of around 1800. 73 Junior and Senior Clinical Training Scholarships are provided as well as an impressive range of continuing professional development courses for practising veterinarians.
RVC leads the way in initiatives targeted at encouraging students from all walks of life to consider a career in the veterinary sciences. Our Veterinary Gateway programme is a one-year preparatory course for students from non-selective state schools whose parents have not been to university and who would be eligible for an Education Allowance Maintenance payment.
Our five-year BVetMed degree educates the best veterinary surgeons of tomorrow. The College demands high levels of motivation, and in return, promises a rich and rewarding experience.
The three-year BSc Bioveterinary Sciences degree has a strong biomedical emphasis and produces graduates who are able to focus on disease-related research. Veterinary science graduates are increasingly sought after, in the light of threats from epidemics such as Avian Influenza.
The RVC’s two-and-a-half year Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing is delivered in partnership with the College of Animal Welfare. Students learn alongside some of the brightest and best clinicians in the profession, within the College’s hospitals and in dedicated training centres. Students wanting to upgrade to a BSc Veterinary Nursing, can take additional modules as part of a programme run in partnership with Middlesex University.
The College offers opportunities for the brightest veterinary students from all UK veterinary schools to enrol on an intercalated BSc Veterinary Pathology degree; designed to meet the national demand for professionally trained pathologists from clinical practitioners, industry and academia
RVC offers a portfolio of Specialist Masters Degrees and Diplomas, designed for veterinary specialists and general scientists seeking to specialise in particular aspects of veterinary science. All programmes are taught by internationally recognised staff. Some are delivered solely by RVC and others are run in partnership with other highly regarded academic and professional organisations.
The Doctoral Programme primes excellent scholars for positions in leading veterinary research institutions, universities and Industry. 130 PhD and DVetMed students are currently enrolled at RVC
Student scholarships are offered for both one-year junior clinical training scholars (internships) and three-year senior clinical training scholars (residencies). Specific subject areas vary year-on-year.
Clinical Services
The College’s small and large animal referral hospitals treat over 20,000 patients a year and provide important services for both the public and referring vets. RVC graduates enter the workplace having gained essential experience in the College’s hospitals and diagnostic laboratories
Research Expertise
The College has strengths in key areas, including public health, epidemiology and the control of infectious disease. We have over 100 research-active staff who are involved with programmes that address both basic and clinical problems in the biosciences, with applications across both veterinary and human medicine.
RVC is known for its research excellence, and currently enjoys rating of ‘5’ for its research quality by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Continuing Professional Development
The College offers a portfolio of practical hands-on specialist and refresher courses designed to update skills and knowledge of practising veterinarians. These are delivered face-to-face and via interactive e-learning
Corporate Alliances
The Royal Veterinary College has established links with many companies in the animal health, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other healthcare sectors and provides the opportunity to undertake veterinary clinical trials.
Through strategic partnerships and investment from industry, RVC continues to achieve high standards in its programmes and research. Companies can engage with the College through sponsorships and supporting students and staff.
Innovation
The RVC has established London’s first incubator for early stage life science companies – The London BioScience Innovation Centre (LBIC). This puts the College at the heart of biotechnology and other biomedical research in London and opens the door for research collaboration. LBIC’s 25 clients include both university spin-outs and overseas companies establishing a first UK presence.
Alumni
RVC alumni work in senior positions in veterinary practice, industry, academia and government roles across the UK and internationally.
Academic Staff
| Post | Number |
|---|---|
| Professors | 29 |
| Readers | 9 |
| Senior Lecturers | 26 |
| Lecturers | 63 |
| Veterinary Information Officers | 2 |
Staff
RVC employs over 650 staff, representing a wide range of nationalities. The College is a highly respected science-based institution that employs scientists and veterinarians with international reputations and is the largest provider of veterinary education for the professions in the UK.
Undergraduate Degree Programmes 2007/08 entry
| Course: | BVetMed | BSc Bioveterinary Sciences | Foundation Degree, Veterinary Nursing | BSc Veterinary Pathology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Students | 1006 | 167 | 66 | 15 |
| Average age on starting course | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 |
| Women | 85% | 80% | 90% | 66% |
| Non-UK | 12% | |||
| Work experience required | 2 weeks | None | 2 weeks | Open to students studying on a veterinary sciences degree at veterinary school |
| Format | 5 years full -time | 3 years full-time | 2.5 years full-time | 6 years inc. BVet Med |
| Start date | September | September | September | September |
| Tuition fees (UK) /yr | £3,070 | £3,070 | £3,070 | £3,070 |
| Tuition fees (Overseas) | £17,525 | £7,648 | £7,900 | |
| Admissions Deadline | 15th October | 15th January | 15th January | 15th January |
Postgraduate Masters Degree Programmes
| MSc: | CIDA* | LHP* | VE | VEPH* | WAB | WAH | VP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Intake | 20 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 10 | 25 |
| Veterinary degree required? | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Average age on starting course | 29 | 36 | 29 | 35 | 23 | 30 | 30 |
| Non-UK (%) | 50% | 40% | 50% | 50% | 15% | 20% | 10% |
| Format | Full or part time study | Distance Learning | Full or part time study | Distance Learning | Full time | Full time | Part time |
| Start date | Autumn | Feb | Autumn | Feb | Autumn | Autumn | May |
| Total MSc tuition fees (UK/EU) | £4,500 | £8,250 | £4,500 | £8,250 | £5,511 | £7,575 | £5,108 |
| Total Msc tuition fees (Overseas) | £14,160 | £8,250 | £14,160 | £8,250 | £17,367 | £17,367 | £15,932 |
| Admissions Deadline | 31st Aug | 1st Nov | 31st Aug | 1st Nov | 31st Aug | 31st Aug | 30th Nov |
*Also available as a postgraduate diploma
CIDA = Control of Diseases in Animals, LHP = Livestock Health & Production, VE = Veterinary Epidemiology, VEPH = Veterinary Epidemiology & Public Health, WAB = Wild Animal Biology, WAH = Wild Animal Health, VP = Veterinary Physiotherapy