| Combined Degree Programme | UCAS Code: | D101 |
| Institution Code: | RVET R84 |
Entry requirements (2012 entry)
High standards with a flexible approach
Application for a place on the Combined BSc/BVetMed programme is very competitive, but the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) actively encourages applicants with the desire to succeed. The RVC looks at three areas when deciding whether to invite an applicant to interview:
Conditional offers made to successful candidates may vary depending on performance at interview. All three areas are important and are used in our selection process to determine who will be invited to interview. Our admissions tutors consider all applications carefully on their individual merits.
Below are our minimum requirements relating to academic qualifications, work experience and the BMAT. As this is a competitive course, fulfilling these minimum requirements will not guarantee an interview in years when we have many competitive applicants.
Academic qualifications
- Advanced/A2 Levels
- 14-19 Diploma
- Access to HE Diplomas
- Birkbeck College's CertHE in Life Sciences
- BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management - old BTEC syllabus (for students who started this qualification before 2010)
- BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management new BTEC syllabus (for students starting this qualification in 2010)
- BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science
- BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Chemistry
- Cambridge Pre-U
- International Baccalaureate
- Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
- Welsh Baccalaureate
- [GCSE: in addition to other qualifications]
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- UCL University Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE) for International Students
- International and EU applicants
- North American applicants
- Graduate Applicant
- Other
Re-sits
Applicants who re-sit any qualifications are expected to achieve the highest grades on their second sitting (for example, AAA at A-level). We also specify minimum grades to have been achieved on the first sitting. If you are taking A-levels, you must have BBC in the first sitting, with B in Biology. Applicants re-sitting other qualifications should contact the Admissions Office at enquiries@rvc.ac.uk for information about minimum grades required at first sitting
UK Qualifications
| Requirements | Comments |
|---|---|
| Advanced/A2 Levels | |
Three subjects at A2:
At AS-level: We support the opportunity to take additional subjects at AS-level, but do not prescribe or prefer any particular subject choices or combinations. |
|
| 14-19 Diploma | |
| Advanced Diplomas will be considered in addition to A levels in Biology (or Human Biology) and Chemistry at AA grade. | |
| Access to HE Diplomas | |
| Diplomas must be Science based and include a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits in Biology, and 15 Level 3 credits in Chemistry. You must have Distinctions in all Biology and Chemistry modules taken.See the Access to Higher Education website to search for possible courses in your area. | |
| Birkbeck College's Certificate of Higher Education 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. |
Students must demonstrate numeracy and literacy through the following:
|
| BTEC National Diploma (OLD syllabus: for students who started this qualification before 2010) | |
The National Diploma must be in Animal Management with DDD (Distinctions) overall, including Distinctions in all of the following units:
|
|
| BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma Animal Management
(NEW syllabus: for students who will be starting this qualification in 2010) |
|
The National Diploma must be in Animal Management with DDD (Distinctions) overall, including Distinctions in all of the following units:
|
See additional GCSE requirements. |
| BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science | |
DDD (Distinctions) overall required, including Distinctions in all of the following units:
|
See additional GCSE requirements.
|
| BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Chemistry | |
D (Distinction) overall required as an alternative to A Level Chemistry at grade A. You will also require A-Levels (or equivalent) in Biology and one other subject both at grade A.
|
See additional GCSE requirements.
|
| Cambridge Pre-U | |
Distinctions (D3 or higher) must be achieved in three Principal Subjects:
|
|
| International Baccalaureate | |
At Higher level:
An acceptable (equivalent to grade B or higher in GCSE) qualification in:
|
Offers are normally 766 in the Higher-Level subjects
lf you did not study the IB in the UK please see our English language requirements in our International and EU applicant requirements. |
| Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers | |
Advanced Highers with grades AA or AB in:
5 Highers with AAAB grades including:
and at least Intermediate 2 or Standard Credit Grade 1 or 2 in:
|
|
| Welsh Baccalaureate | |
Where applicants have achieved the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma we will accept two A-levels:
in addition to the Welsh Bac Core. We support the opportunity to take additional subjects at AS-level, but do not prescribe or prefer any particular subject choices or combinations. |
For 2010 entry the RVC will not be requiring A* grades, and predictions for A* will not give advantage at selection or offer stage over applicants predicted A grade. Restrictions apply to re-sits of all qualifications: see the note below these tables. |
| GCSE (in addition to further qualifications, see above) | |
At least five grade As including:
And grade A or B in:
|
* ‘Double science’ refers to the Double Award GCSE in Science, which covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Key Skills Level 2 in Communication can be accepted instead of GCSE English and Key Skills Level 2 in Application of Number can be accepted instead of GCSE Mathematics. |
Other qualifications accepted as equivalent to the requirements above
| Irish Leaving Certificate |
|---|
At Higher level - Grades of AAAABB including:
both at Grade A At Ordinary level - minimum grade B:
|
| UCL University Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE) for International Students. See the UCL website |
| You must take Biology and Chemistry as Core Units and achieve 70% in both subjects, and 70% overall for the certificate. |
| International and EU applicants (excluding North America) |
We welcome applications from applicants with European or International qualifications. Candidates must meet the entry requirements by means of the prescribed qualifications listed or other acceptable alternative qualifications. For advice on the acceptability of your qualifications please send details, referring to each of the required subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, and English) to enquiries@rvc.ac.uk. Prospective students must have achieved a sufficient level of knowledge in the prescribed subjects before entry to the course. No foundation module in basic science is given within the BVetMed. The course demands an excellent understanding of both written and spoken English language, as demonstrated preferably by an IELTS qualification with an overall level of 6.5 or higher (For full information on IELTS, please visit the IELTS website ). All students apply through UCAS and must take the BMAT. |
| Students from North America |
|
North American college students
North American high school students
For full details please go to the North American students section and please note that different deadlines apply to the VMCAS system. |
|
USA At least 4 full year Advanced Placement examinations at grade 5/4 including Biology and Chemistry both at grade 5. Canada High School Diploma students will be considered provided very high marks have been achieved in grade 12 courses including Biology and Chemistry. Specific requirements will vary depending upon the State. Please contact the Admissions Office at international@rvc.ac.uk for further information. |
| Graduate Applicants |
Applicants should note that it is not possible to transfer to the Combined BSc/BVetMed programme from a degree programme partly completed at another university. Applications will not be considered from students currently on a degree programme unless they are in their final year and applying for graduate entry. Applicants who have already taken a degree, or are in their final year of a degree, should see our Graduate Accelerated BVetMed programme. |
| Other Qualifications |
For advice on the eligibility of other qualifications, please contact Admissions at enquiries@rvc.ac.uk. Prospective students must have achieved a sufficient level of knowledge in the prescribed subjects (Biology and Chemistry, with Physics, Mathematics and English language) before entry to this demanding and competitive course. No foundation module in basic science is given within the Combined BSc/BVetMed programme. Email: enquiries@rvc.ac.uk For international enquiries call: +44 (0) 20 7468 5146 |
Work experience:
We ask for prior work experience, both in veterinary practice and in other animal environments, in order to develop animal handling skills and obtain an insight into the work of veterinary surgeons. We also require prior work experience in a scientific environment for this course. Before you apply, you must have completed the minimum requirements:
|
For current applicants - 2011 entry
For future applicants - 2012 entry onwards
|
You must state clearly on your UCAS application form the dates and length of time spent on each work experience. You are not required to send further work experience references.
If you are interested in finding out more about work experience requirements then listen to our Work experience podcast.
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT):
What is the BMAT?
The BMAT is a supplementary science aptitude test to help inform the selection process. It is used by a select number of universities and veterinary schools. The BMAT is designed to test the data handling and reasoning skills of candidates, and the ability to structure thoughts in extended writing exercises. We currently experience a huge volume of applications from Home/EU students for places on the BVetMed, therefore it is necessary to include an additional filter when assessing applications and making decisions on candidates. BMAT scores are used as the final fllter of the selection process to decide who is called for interview/offered a place.
The BMAT is compulsory for all* applicants, to our BVetMed courses (D100/D101, including the Graduate Entry programme).
*Except non-EU international students.
The Royal Veterinary College is concerned that the entry fee should not be viewed as a barrier to access and widening participation. Applicants may apply to the BMAT Support Team for a reimbursement of fees if they meet the criteria outlined in the BMAT FAQs.
To find out more about the BMAT see RVC BMAT Information (in the Quick Links menu)

