Scholars Programme
Date: 9 events in Year 1, 8 events in Year 2 (typically on a Saturday). The first dates for 2026* are: 15th January (online), 24th January, 14th February, 14th March, 4th & 5th April, 9th May, 13th June, 11th July (*subject to change). Completion of the Scholars programme is only met by attending at least 14 of the total 17 sessions offered throughout the 18 month programme.
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Camden Campus (Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU United Kingdom) & Hawkshead Campus (Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, United Kingdom)
Age Group: Year 12
Capacity: 10
Eligibility: See below for full details
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: 5pm GMT on the 14th November 2025
Apply now for the 2026/2027 Scholars Programme →
Sign up to the webinar on the 30th October to learn more →
What to Expect
The RVC Scholars Programme is designed to support under-represented Year 12 students aspiring to study Veterinary Medicine at the RVC.
The comprehensive 18-month programme will develop skills, confidence and experience around the application process, as well as provide unrivalled insight into the RVC’s academic, teaching and pastoral offerings. Throughout this sustained, supported engagement, we will host a multitude of on campus events, further supported by occasional online and off-campus opportunities. Scholars will have the opportunity to engage with a series of expert lectures, practical teaching, group work, animal handling, an admissions masterclass and a zoo field trip, all led by dedicated RVC support staff and supported by academic staff and RVC alumni.
All interventions will feature a select group of regular Student Ambassadors who will act as role models and mentors, a truly insightful experience of what studying at the RVC is like. Annually we welcome 10 dedicated scholars to form a supportive peer group and commit to 9 events in year 1 of the programme, and 8 events in year 2, all of which will take place on Saturdays at either our Camden or Hawkshead Campus.
Furthermore, scholars who graduate from the scheme who subsequently join full time undergraduate study at the RVC will be awarded £3,000 for a maximum of 4 years.
The proposed dates (subject to change) for the start of the 2026 timetable are as follows: 15th January (online), 24th January, 14th February, 14th March, 4th & 5th April, 9th May, 13th June, 11th July. Completion of the Scholars programme is only met by attending at least 14 of the total 17 sessions offered throughout the 18 month programme.
Application and Entry Requirements
Eligibility*
You must meet ALL the following criteria:
- Be a UK/Irish National resident in the UK or have settled status in the UK
- Be a current Year 12 (England and Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland) or S5 (Scotland) student
- Predicted to meet the BVetMed academic entry requirements
And be ONE of the following:
- Attend a state-funded mainstream school, are currently in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM) whilst attending secondary school OR who have been in receipt of Fee School Meals (FSM) during their secondary education AND who will be under 21 when they join the course.
- Asian or Asian British; Black, Black British, Caribbean or African; Mixed or multiple ethnic groups; or the Other ethnic group
If the programme is oversubscribed, we will give priority to those who meet all or most of the following criteria:
- TUNDRA MSOA score: If your home address is in an area with a TUNDRA MSOA score of 1. You can check this via the Office for Students website.
- Care Leaver: you have been looked after by a local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 (requires letter from relevant authority). This includes foster care, residential care, kinship care as a formal agreement with the local authority or living at home under the supervision of the local authority.
- Level 2 School: If you are currently taking Level 3 (A-level or equivalent) qualifications, or have taken them within the last 12 months and the school at which you took your GCSEs is a school with an RVC contextual flag. You can check this here.
- Level 3 School: If you are currently taking Level 3 (A-level or equivalent) qualifications, or have taken them within the last 12 months, and your school is a school with an RVC contextual flag. You can check this here.
- IMD Quintile score: If your home address is in an area with an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintile score of 1. You can check this using one of the following links, depending on which country you live in:
- England: http://imd-by-postcode.opendatacommunities.org/imd/2019 (an IMD “Decile” score of 1 or 2 given here is equivalent to “quintile 1” above, and Decile 3 or 4 is equivalent to “quintile 2”).
- Wales: https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Community-Safety-and-Social-Inclusion/Welsh-Index-of-Multiple-Deprivation
- Scotland: https://simd.scot
- Northern Ireland: https://deprivation.nisra.gov.uk (a Deprivation Rank in the top 20% most deprived is equivalent to “quintile 1” above, and top 40% is equivalent to “quintile 2”) ·
The application form will require a reference to support your application, this should confirm your suitability for the programme both academically and professionally.
Please click here to see an example of a suitable reference for the Scholars Programme
In support of your application, and to evidence eligibility, we ask that you submit (via sending to schools@rvc.ac.uk):
- A legal document/letter which has your home address on e.g. bank statement, National Insurance letter, letter from the council
- GCSE results transcript
- Name, job title and email address of a teacher at your school
If applicable:
- A copy of your passport
- Evidence of receipt of free school meals;
- Birth certificate
*The RVC is dedicated to being an organisation in which equity, diversity and inclusion underpin all that we do. Eligibility for this event is targeted to support under-represented individuals, as we believe students from every background should be able to access advice, guidance and support in order to help them progress to and benefit from the transformative experience of higher education. For more information on our commitment to improve equality of opportunity for under-represented groups please read our Access & Participation Plan (APP).
Programme Fees and Scholarships
The Scholars Programme is free to attend. The following expenses are covered: Food and drinks whilst on campus, transport to and from the campus, all equipment and activities. Furthermore, scholars who graduate from the scheme and subsequently join full time undergraduate study at the RVC will be awarded a scholarship of £3,000 per annum for a maximum of four years.
Testimonials
"The most valuable part of the scholars programme for me has been connecting with other like-minded individuals that share the same passions as me, as well as having these informational sessions that further my understanding of the admissions process and the veterinary profession"
"It has been very fun and informational and has helped me feel much more confident in applying"
"I think the most valuable part for me would be the opportunity to be able to connect deeply with other like-minded individuals through the use of the team working tasks and the ability to experience things that I otherwise wouldn't."
"The experience and support provided has helped provide extra insight to the programme that you can’t get from online."
"Everyone here has been really helpful and I'm really grateful for this program and all you guys have done."
Contacts
If you are a teacher, adviser or learner who is interested in finding out more about the Scholars Programme, please contact us at schools@rvc.ac.uk.