As a potential student, you may have many questions about the RVC and university life in general, below are our frequently asked questions from other offer holders:

How does placement year work?

The placement year is sandwiched between and year and will mean pausing your campus-based studies to work for a business for a year. You will be allowed to arrange your own placement to cater to your particular interests and career ambitions. Many students find this a rewarding year that enables them to develop their workplace skills, consider their future prospects and network within the industry.

Is the placement year compulsory?

No, a placement year is optional.

What does it mean to have a degree accredited?

All Biological Sciences courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, this means they have passed rigorous assessments to determine that graduates of the course are equipped with subject knowledge, technical ability and transferable skills.

When applying for jobs, employers will recognise this accreditation, which can assure them that you have developed skills that will be helpful in the workplace.

How many contact hours will I have a week?

The contact hours of each course will vary slightly and differ per term; however, the contact hours are provisionally set between 15 and 20 hours a week for all taught BSc and MSci degrees.

Please note that additional hours to do the reading, essays and revision will be required.

What is the Students' Union?

The Students' Union is a student-led organisation that promotes students’ views, liaises with staff to improve the student experience, and runs social events, societies and the student bar to encourage a pleasant student experience.

What happens if I miss the grade requirements stated in my offer?

For A-level students, once your final grades have been released, they will be sent to admissions where your offer will either be confirmed or denied. If your grades do not meet the requirements, then the team will assess if you can still be offered a place. In some instances, if the achieved grades are close to the requirement the offer may still withstand, regardless we will inform you of the outcome, or you can look on the UCAS portal on results day.

For students not sitting A-levels, if your results are lower than expected it is best to contact admissions and inform them of the outcome as early as possible so your application can be considered.

Can I defer my offer?

It may be possible to defer your offer after your application has been submitted and a place offered, however each request is assessed individually by our admissions team, and it is not guaranteed. If you are considering a deferral, we advise you email at admissions@rvc.ac.uk detailing your reason for request and when requested, supporting evidence.