University Name:
See all universitiesRoyal Veterinary College
UCAS Code: R84
Location: Central London and just north of M25 in Hertfordshire Show on Map
Site: Two sites (London & Hertfordshire) and teaching split between two; partner colleges
World-class research-intensive institution; a specialist college of London University.
Student Population
| Total Students: | 1,990 |
| Undergraduates: | 79% |
| Postgraduates: | 21% |
| FE Students: | 0% |
Undergraduates
| Total undergraduates: | 1,569 |
| Male: | 20% |
| Female: | 80% |
| Full Time: | 96% |
| Mature on Entry: | 27% |
| UK Students: | 88% |
| State school entry: | 80% |
Teaching Staff
155 (full- and part-time).
Broad study areas
Veterinary medicine, bioveterinary science, veterinary pathology, veterinary nursing.
Freshers
| Admission Information: | AS-levels are welcomed but all offers are based on 3 A-levels or equivalent (several alternative qualifications accepted). UCAS tariff used only for veterinary nursing. |
| Points on Entry (Mean): | 410 |
| Drop Out Rate: | 5% |
| Accommodation: | Almost all first years housed. |
Institution
| Founded: | 1791 |
| Structural features: | College of University of London. |
| Site: | Veterinary medicine and bioveterinary science at Camden Town (just north-east of Regents Park); clinical studies and veterinary nursing on 230-hectare campus at Hawkshead (near Potters Bar, Hertfordshire). |
| How to get there: | Camden Town by bus, tube or train (Camden Town, Mornington Crescent, Euston and King's Cross stations); Hawkshead 20 mins by train from King's Cross to Brookmans Park or Potters Bar. |
| Special features: | One-year preparatory year to widen participation into veterinary medicine (veterinary gateway programme). |
Student services & facilities
| Student advice & services: | Advice team including two general advisers, finance & welfare officer, disability officer, counsellors, careers adviser , Chaplain and housing advice service for those in private rented accommodation. |
| Amenities: | College refectory, Students' Union rooms and SU common room/bars on both campuses. Social learning centre at Camden, ULU building in Malet St, London. |
| Sporting facilities: | Playing fields at Hawkshead; gym at Camden. |
| Accommodation: | Camden: 95+% of first years housed who apply. All college accommodation self-catering, rents £134−£140 per week (including utility bills) on 48- or 50-week contracts; London University intercollegiate accommodation is catered, rents £161−£227.50 pw. Hawkshead: 17 houses (up to 6 people sharing), plus 185 ensuite rooms in new student village; all self-catering at £100 pw, on fixed and flexible contracts. |
Study opportunities & careers
| Library & information services: | Learning resources centre at each site. Total of 28,000 books, 100 print journals, more than 5000 e-journals, 12 bibliographic databases. At Camden, around 80 study places, 118 learning centre PCs plus 32 laptops/netbooks for loan; at Hawkshead, 130 study places, 134 PCs plus 68 laptops/netbooks for loan. Approximately 70 additional PCs elsewhere across the College for student use. |
| Other learning resources: | Veterinary-themed centre for excellence in teaching and learning through inter-professional collaboration. Animal hospitals at both sites. Large animal clinical centre, small animal referral hospital and farm at Hawkshead. |
| Study abroad: | BVetMed students may carry out components of extra-mural study overseas. |
| Careers: | Careers officer on site once a week (part of London University service), providing comprehensive support including one-to-one guidance and practice interviews, workshops, information fairs, presentations with employers, careers library, personality questionnaires and aptitude tests (to help prepare for employer assessments). Also a clinical office help with clinical placements. |
Money
| Living expenses budget: | Minimum budget of £700–£1000 per month (excluding tuition fees) recommended by College. |
| Term-time work: | Paid work not recommended due to the nature of the courses; some casual paid work in college eg student ambassadors, helping at interviews and open days, emedia work. |
| Financial help: | Bursaries of £1000 pa to students whose family income is up to £25k pa, tapered down to £100 pa for students whose family income is £42k pa. Scholarship or fee waiver of £3000 for one year for all students on the Gateway programme. Government funds and limited college hardship funds (average award £420); applications considered based on individual circumstances. |
| University tuition fees: | Home students pay £9000 pa for first degree courses (except £7500 pa for veterinary nursing). International students pay £13,150 pa (BSc and FdSc), £20,300 (veterinary medicine). |
Courses
Academic features:
Integrated curriculum, including large proportion of directed learning and small group work; individual project in final year. 6-year degree programme combining veterinary medicine with BSc bioveterinary science. Work-based placement year available as part of BSc bioveterinary sciences. Two intercalated degrees (bioveterinary sciences and veterinary pathology) available to students on veterinary medicine and bioveterinary sciences, medicine; normally taken at the end of 2nd year.
Awarding body:
University of London
Main undergraduate awards:
BVetMed, BSc, FdSc.
Length of courses:
5 years BVetMed (4 years for graduate entry accelerated course); 6 years BSc/BVetMed combined degree; 3 years BSc bioveterinary sciences and FdSc veterinary nursing; 4 years BSc veterinary nursing; 1 year, intercalated degrees.
Main subjects offered:
- Animal Science
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Nursing
- Pathology
- Veterinary Nursing
- Veterinary Science
- Veterinary Studies
Student view
Living
It's split between two campuses: one in central London, Camden Town; the other, called Hawkshead, in rural Hertfordshire near Potters Bar. Life at the two campuses is very different. Camden is a relatively small site, where the first two years of veterinary science course and pre-clinical veterinary medicine are taught. Inside you will find a hive of activity with a warm, friendly atmosphere. When time allows, students relax in the common rooms or café; and there is a small branch of the student shop. On the other hand, Hawkshead is part of a large estate, the surrounding land run by the college farm. Remainder of veterinary medicine course and the veterinary nurses share this campus, plus some smaller courses (pathology, final year vet science and many of the postgrads). Small but active students' union society (SUS) has a number of facilities at Hawkshead: common rooms, bar, sports fields, swimming pool. SUS is affiliated to the University of London Union (ULU) so all students can use its facilities, a short walk from the Camden campus. Although Hawkshead is in the countryside, access into London is very easy (regular trains to King's Cross), however local travel is more difficult. Both sites have learning resources centres with 24-hour open-access PCs and state-of-the-art specialist libraries. For those wanting to study veterinary subjects who like the idea of a 'veterinary village', this is the place for you.
Summary
Housing: College-owned shared flats at Camden for all 1st year and some 2nd years; catered and self-catered halls and shared houses at Hawkshead. Most students rent houses of their own. Eats: Refectory at both campuses, cheap and good. It is London so there is plenty of variety. Drink: ULU, and lots of bars and pubs in London. Buttery Bar at Hawkshead campus. Nightlife: It is the capital city! SUS organises a packed freshers week and regular parties through the year. Social events with AVS (Association of Veterinary Students). Sports: Many clubs; if they aren't at RVC they will be at ULU! Financial help: Access fund and hardship funds, but the BVetMed is expensive, there's no way round it. Travel: Long holidays (where you are expected to do work experience on the BVetMed) and much opportunity to join projects based overseas. Jobs: Possible to find in London, if you have the time! Best features: Lots of like-minded, fun-loving people Worst features: Too many like-minded people (but plenty of opportunities to meet students from other UL colleges). Informal name: RVC.
More info?
SUS General Manager, email sucommunications@rvc.ac.uk.
Contact
Address:
Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Royal College Street
London
NW1 0TU
Tel:
020 7468 5147/9/6
Email:
Website:
Student enquiries:
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Application:
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