Graduation 2023 - FAQ
1. When will I receive my degree certificate?
You should receive your certificate by recorded delivery to your permanent home address 3 to 6 months after your pass list is published. You will not receive your certificate at the Graduation ceremony.
Degree certificates are dispatched by the Diploma Production and Dispatch Office of the University of London. Please make sure your permanent home address is up-to-date in RoVer before Graduation.
Please note that as your degree certificate is awarded by the University of London, it does not display the RVC crest. The RVC will be mailing you a Certificate of Completion after your ceremonies for display purposes. Again, please ensure your permanent home address is up to date in RoVer before Graduation or update your RVC4Life details if after Graduation.
2. How do I prove I have received an award before my certificate arrives?
You can request an official copy of your academic transcript and/or a confirmation of award letter by emailing transcripts@rvc.ac.uk
3. When will I receive my RCVS certificate?
Class of 2023 BVetMed and FdSc Veterinary Nurses who have applied to join the RCVS register and paid their fees before the deadline will usually receive their RCVS certificates by post to your home address.
4. When is the earliest I can legally practice as a veterinary surgeon?
Once the pass list is published you will cease to be a veterinary student and will not legally be able to practice as a veterinary surgeon until you are admitted to the RCVS. Admission will take place online – see RCVS site for details and dates. You will receive an email from the RCVS to confirm you have been registered.
If you are planning to work outside the UK, please contact the relevant local authority for this information
The date of your award will be the date of the finals exam board.
5. When is the earliest I can practice as a veterinary nurse?
BSc graduates should already be registered and do not need to re-register.
FdSc VN’s - Once the pass list is published you will cease to be a student veterinary nurse, until you join the register you will be unable to carry out Schedule 3 reserved tasks.
You will receive an email from the RCVS to confirm you have been registered.
The date of your award will be the date of the final exam board.
6. I am an international student and my student visa has expired or will expire before Graduation. Can I attend?
If you need a visa to enter the UK you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa to attend Graduation. You should use the email you received inviting you to Graduation to provide evidence of the date of the ceremony. Information on applying for a Standard Visitor visa can be found on the gov.uk. You can check if you need a visa to enter the UK on gov.uk.
7. I am an international student and I would like to invite family from overseas to Graduation. Can they attend?
If your family members need a visa to enter the UK they will require a Standard Visitor visa to attend Graduation. Information on applying for a Standard Visitor visa can be found on the gov.uk. You can check if they will need a visa to enter the UK on gov.uk.
You should provide your family members with:
- A letter of good standing proving you are are/werea student of the RVC, available from RoVer or by emailing Student Records
- The email you received from the RVC inviting you to Graduation.
- A letter from you to your family inviting them to Graduation.
8. I cannot attend Graduation this year, can I defer?
In exceptional circumstances we may be able to allow you to defer your attendance to the following year, please contact graduation@rvc.ac.uk for advice. Students completing their studies in the same academic year as the Graduation ceremony will be given priority to places in the ceremony.
Please note: If you are graduating from the BVetMed and are registering with the RCVS but do not attend Graduation usually you will are able to practice in the UK once your online registration has been approved.
Please see the RCVS website for further details on how to complete your registration.
9. I am a member of staff receiving an award (for example, the Postgraduate Certificate in Veterinary Education), can I be in the staff procession for that ceremony?
To collect your award during a ceremony you will need to book a graduand place and you will be seated with your fellow graduands in the graduand seating. Staff who choose to join the staff procession will not have their award announced during the ceremony and will be deemed to have graduated in absentia.
You are welcome to book a place in the staff procession for any of the other ceremonies taking place on the 12th July.
10. How many tickets may I book?
You may book a total of four tickets (your own, plus two free guest tickets and one paid for guest ticket).
11. Can I book more tickets?
Additional tickets can be requested at the time of booking. Should tickets be available after the closing date of 26th May you will be notified when they are released for sale.
12. I do not need all my guest tickets, may I give them to someone else?
NO – unfortunately due to the demand for tickets and current venue capacities it is not possible to give tickets to others. If you have bought tickets and can no longer use them please contact graduation@rvc.ac.uk. We can refund tickets up to 5 days before the event. After this date we cannot guarantee a refund.
13. I’ve registered with the RCVS and did not ask to use the ‘Dr’ name designation, but I now want to.
Contact RCVS: Registration Department on 020 7202 0707 or registration@rcvs.org.uk
14. I/one of my guests has special access requirements what should I do?
Email graduation@rvc.ac.uk with the requirements and we will do our best to accommodate you or your guests.
15. I can’t log in to the online booking system
You will need your student number to log in – if you don’t have this, current students can find it on RoVer or contact Registry. If you are still having a problem, please email graduation@rvc.ac.uk
16. My details (course, name, ceremony allocation/date/time etc) are listed wrongly.
Email the details to graduation@rvc.ac.uk and we will follow up.
17. I am worried I might fail, should I book tickets now?
Yes, you will need to pre-book your tickets by 26th May 2023 in order to guarantee your place at the ceremony. The tickets will be cancelled if you do not pass and refunds will be issued if you cancel before 12th July when the ceremony takes place. Refunds cannot be guaranteed after this date.
If you are required to register with the RCVS you should apply to join the register by the Summer deadlines and your application will be held until publication of the Autumn pass lists.