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BSc Bioveterinary Sciences
with a Certificate in
Work-based Learning & Research		 UCAS Code: D301
Institution Code: RVET R84

Entry Requirements

Although the RVC will provide support for placement applications, it is the responsibility of the student to make applications and secure a written offer of a placement from a placement provider.

In order to progress into the placement year students must:

  • Complete Year 1 with a pass mark of at least 60%
  • Complete and pass Year 2
  • Have a written offer of a work based placement from a placement provider
  • Have proposed a placement project which addresses the Learning Outcomes

Students who do not satisfy the above progression requirements can transfer into the three year BSc Bioveterinary Sciences programme provided they satisfy the normal progression requirements for the course. Such students will not be taking a placement and will be studying only for the BSc in Bioveterinary Sciences.

The initial entry requirements for the course are the same as those for the three year BSc Bioveterinary Science programme. By following the links below you can find information on the minimum entry requirements regarding academic qualifications.

RVC admissions tutors consider all applications carefully on their individual merits. Conditional offers made to successful candidates may vary.

Students who do not satisfy the entry requirements for the BSc Bioveterinary Science degree may be interested in the Extended Sciences degree offered by the University of Hertfordshire. Students who successfully complete the initial year of this degree can automatically transfer into the first year of our BSc Bioveterinary Science programme provided the Biology and Chemistry modules are taken and the required marks are achieved. Further information about this course can be found at Hertfordshire University Extended Degrees in Science.

Academic qualifications

RVC policy on re-sits

What if I don’t achieve the entry requirements?

Due to the level of competition for places when applying to the Bioveterinary Sciences (D300) programme, normally applicants need to have achieved our minimum entry requirements at both GCSE and A-Level in order to progress any further in the application process. If an applicant does narrowly miss the entry requirements, they are not automatically rejected. However, these applicants will be competing against students who have fulfilled the entry requirements stipulated.

The RVC admissions policy is to accept re-taken grades or modules at GCSE, A-Level or equivalent without penalty. It does not matter if you achieve these minimum grades by re-sitting modules within the qualification.

Applicants re-sitting other qualifications should contact the Admissions Office at enquiries@rvc.ac.uk .

UK Qualifications

Requirements Comments
Advanced/A2 Levels

Three A2 subjects:

  • Chemistry, at B grade or above
  • Mathematics, or Physics or Biology or Human Biology, at B grade or above
  • B grade in a third subject which can be any other subject (excluding General Studies).*

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.

Conditional offers made to successful candidates vary but the majority of offers are BBB or above.

* All third choices are equally acceptable to RVC selectors. There is no third subject which is preferred or gives any special advantage in the selection process. Science and non-science subject are treated equally for the third subject.

See additional GCSE requirements
14-19 Diploma

Advanced Diplomas will be considered in addition to:

  • A-level Chemistry at grade B
  • and either A-level Biology, or Human Biology or Physics or Maths, at grade B.
 See additional GCSE requirements
Access to HE Diploma
Diplomas must be Science based and include a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits in Chemistry and 15 level 3 credits in a second Science subject with Merits achieved in the Chemistry and second Science subject modules. See the Access to Higher education website to search for possible courses in your area.

See additional GCSE requirements
Birkbeck College's Certificate of Higher Education in "Life Sciences for subjects allied to medicine"

Merits 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:
  • GCSEs grade C or higher in Maths and English Language
  • or, achieving

    Key Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number, or Functional Skills level 2 in English and Maths, will be accepted instead of GCSE English and Mathematics.

  • or, by otherwise demonstrating that these subjects have been studied at a higher academic level (at Level 3 or in Higher Education, or for English with a high score in section 3 of BMAT if taken )
BTEC National Diploma (OLD BTEC syllabus: for students who started this qualification before 2010)

The National Diploma must be in Animal Management with DDM (Distinction, Distinction, Merit) overall.

Required units:

  • Animal Nutrition
  • Animal Breeding and Genetics
  • Biochemistry and Microbiology in Animal Management (Distinction required)
  • Scientific Investigation in Animal Management
  • Genetics and Genetic Engineering
  • Chemistry for Biology Technicians or Fundamentals of Science (Distinction required in either of these modules)
See additional GCSE requirements
BTEC or City & Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management

(NEW syllabus: for students who started this qualification in 2010 onwards)

The National Diploma must be in Animal Management with DDM (Distinction Distinction Merit) overall, including Distinctions in the units marked by an asterix (*):

  • 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*
See additional GCSE requirements.
BTEC National Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science

DDM (Distinction Distinction Merit) overall required, including Distinctions in the units marked by an asterix (*):

  • Genetics and Genetics Engineering
  • *Biomedical Science Techniques and/or *Chemical Laboratory Techniques and/or *Chemistry for Biology Technicians
  • *Physiology of Human Body Systems and/or *Physiology of Human Regulation and Reproduction
  • Using Statistics in Science and/or Informatics in Science

 

See additional GCSE requirements.

 

 
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Chemistry

D (Distinction) overall required as an alternative to A Level Chemistry at grade B.

You will also require A-Levels (or equivalent) in another Science (Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Human Biology) and one other subject both at grade B.

 

See additional GCSE requirements.

 

 
Cambridge Pre-U

Three principle subjects must be taken and grade M2 or higher achieved:

  • Chemistry
  • Either Biology or Physics or Mathematics
  • The third choice can be any other subject (excluding General studies).*

* All third choices are equally acceptable to RVC selectors. There is no third subject which is preferred or gives any special advantage in the selection process. Science and non-science subject are treated equally for the third subject.

See additional GCSE requirements
International Baccalaureate Certificate/Diploma

At Higher level:

  • Chemistry
  • either Biology, Physics or Maths
  • One other subject*

An acceptable (equivalent to grade B or higher at GCSE) qualification in:

  • English
  • Mathematics

Offers are normally 555 in the Higher-Level subjects

* All third choices are equally acceptable to RVC selectors. There is no third subject which is preferred or gives any special advantage in the selection process. Science and non-science subject are treated equally for the third subject.

See additional GCSE requirements

If you took the IB outside of the UK please also note our English language requirements in our International/EU advice
Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers

2 Advanced Highers at grades BB in:

  • Chemistry

And either

  • Biology,
  • Mathematics,
  • or Physics

5 Highers including:

  • Chemistry

And either:

  • Biology,
  • Mathematics,
  • or Physics

In addition to minimum Intermediate 2 or Standard Credit Grade 1 or 2 in:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  
Welsh Baccalaureate

Where applicants have achieved the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma we will accept two A-levels:

  • Chemistry at grade B
  • and Maths, Physics, Biology or Human Biology at grade B

in addition to a pass in 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.

 See additional GCSE requirements
GCSE (in addition to further qualifications, see above)

At least:

  • Double Science* award or Science & Additional Science at BB grades or a B in two individual science subjects, if taken separately.

And grade B or above in:

  • English
  • Mathematics

*Double science refers to the Double Award GCSE in Science, which covers Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Key Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number, or Functional Skills level 2 in English and Maths, will be accepted instead of GCSE English and Mathematics.

Other qualifications accepted as equivalent to the requirements above

Requirements Comments
Irish Leaving Certificate

At Higher level - Grades of BBBBBB including:

  • Chemistry

And at least one from either:

  • Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Physics

At Ordinary level minimum grade B in:

  • English
  • Mathematics (if not offered at Higher Level)

It should be clearly stated on the UCAS form which subjects are being studied at Higher level and which at Ordinary level.
UCL University Preparatory certificate for Science & Engineering (UPCSE) for International Students

You must take Chemistry and a second Science subject as Core Units. You must achieve 65% overall in the Certificate, and 65% in Chemistry and the second Science Unit.

 These requirements assume that you have met the standard entry requirements for UPCSE: if you have entered that course with special circumstances or through a different route, please see advice for International and EU applicants below
International and EU applicants

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 international@rvc.ac.uk.

The course demands an excellent understanding of both written and spoken English language, as demonstrated preferably by an IELTS (International English Language Test) qualification with an overall level of 7.0 or higher and no less than 6.5 in each component (for full information see IELTS from the British Council). Other English tests are recognised including PTE Academic (minimum score of 65 required - see www.pearsonpte.com ). Contact the Admissions Office if you are taking a different test from the above to see if it is acceptable.
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 (Chemistry and either Biology, Mathematics or Physics) before entry to this course.

Email: enquiries@rvc.ac.uk
Tel : +44 (0) 20 7468 5147/5149

For international enquiries call: +44 (0) 20 7468 5146
Fax : +44 (0) 20 7468 5311

 

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