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BVSc Gateway to Veterinary Science (D108)

2026 entry

Course summary

Gateway to Veterinary Science is aimed at students who have the potential to become vets but do not meet the standard academic entry criteria to apply directly to our five-year undergraduate Veterinary Science course. Our Gateway courses are a widening participation initiative for UK students who fulfil specific criteria and wish to apply for a clinical programme in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science.

During the Gateway year students will learn alongside each other, benefiting from shared interprofessional insight and the unique community of Bristol's medical, dental and veterinary schools. Students will be taught by academic teachers who are scientists and clinicians.

The Gateway course builds on core basic sciences underpinning clinical subjects (chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology). It encourages reflection and places emphasis on personal and professional development; strengthens practical, statistics, research and library skills; and considers attributes and behaviours that enable a successful transition to university study. Successful completion of the Gateway year allows automatic progression onto the five-year BVSc Veterinary Science.

Eligibility

This course is open to applicants from specific schools and colleges in the UK only, those who have spent three months or more in care and/or those who have been in receipt of free school meals. For further information and lists of eligible schools and colleges, visit the contextual offers and Gateway courses eligibility webpages.

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: BBC
• Go to entry requirements for the full entry criteria and contextual offer eligibility.

Programme duration

• 6 year(s) full-time.
• Part-time study is not available for this course

Application deadline

• The closing date for Veterinary Science UCAS applications is 15 October. UCAS advises that no more than four choices from a possible five are used for Veterinary Science.

Application method

• UCAS (Code: D108)

Location

• Clifton campus, Langford campus, Placements

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• Students should be aware that vacation extra mural studies (EMS) is a mandatory component of any UK veterinary curriculum. These may incur transport and accommodation costs.
• More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

Fees quoted are for 2025 entry only. Fees for 2026 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2025.

Course structure

Studies will include:

• Basic cell biology, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of the healthy human/animal
• Fundamental principles of chemistry
• Numeracy skills and statistics relevant to health sciences programmes
• Clinical professional attributes
• Placements and animal handling practicals

Successful students will then join the five-year BVSc Veterinary Science course.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

A-level standard offer

• BBC including B in Biology or Chemistry. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of AAB or above (or points equivalent), or with A in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.

This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying.

BTEC

• DMM BTEC Extended Diploma Applied Science (RQF): Grades DMM or DMM, including five specified Biology or Chemistry units in any combination. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of DDD or above cannot be considered for Gateway programmes but could be considered for the five-year standard entry course instead.

This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 29 points overall with 14 at Higher level, including 5 at Higher Level in Biology or Chemistry. Applicants with predicted or achieved grades of 33 points overall including 16 at Higher Level, or with 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry, are not eligible for this course.

This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying.

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: BB including Biology or Chemistry, and Standard Level: BBBBC. Applicants with achieved or predicted Advanced Higher grades of AA, or with Chemistry at A grade, are not eligible for this course.

This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying.

Access to HE Diploma

• Not accepted for this course. Access to HE students are instead welcome to apply to the standard Veterinary Science course.

Welsh Baccalaureate

• Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying.

Cambridge Pre-U

• Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.

This course has additional eligibility criteria, please check these before applying.

GCSE profile requirements

• Standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent) and Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)
• Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
  • IELTS 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other skills
  • GCSE English Language grade B or 6
  • an alternative qualification outlined in our Profile level B.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Additional requirements

• Work experience is recommended - please see the Admissions Statement.

Selection process

• Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement are found in the University admissions policies and procedures.
• If applying with extenuating circumstances please see our policy.
• Full information about our selection processes for Gateway to Veterinary Science can be found in the Admissions Statement.

Related courses

• BVSc Veterinary Science
• BVSc Veterinary Science: Accelerated Graduate Entry
• Veterinary Nursing

Next steps

• Visit us at an open day
• Download a prospectus
• Find out how to apply
• Make an enquiry