Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science Program

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science program is a five-year full-time course that combines the resources of Aberystwyth University and the Royal Veterinary College. This program is designed to train students to identify, medically and surgically treat, and prevent diseases of animals, including household pets, farm animals, zoo animals, and horses.

Key Information

• Qualification: BVSc
• UCAS Code: D105
• Institution Code: RVET R84
• Study Mode: Five years full-time
• UK Tuition Fees: £9,790 (2026 fees)
• EU and International Tuition Fees: £50,360

Academic Qualifications

The standard academic requirements for entry to the BVSc programme are outlined below.

A-Levels

• AAA in three A Level subjects:
  • Biology at grade A
  • Chemistry at grade A
  • A third subject of your choice
• The third A Level subject should not overlap with Biology or Chemistry.
• We also require a 'pass' in the science practical for each subject, where taking the English curriculum.

Contextual Offers

Offers of ABB (with an A in Biology or Chemistry) will be made to those meeting certain Widening Participation (WP) criteria.

Welsh, Scottish, Irish Applicants

Welsh Baccalaureate

Applicants who achieve the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification with grade A will be accepted with two A Levels:

• Biology at grade A
• Chemistry at grade A

Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers

Advanced Highers at grades AA in:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• In addition to five Highers at AAAAB grades including:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
• And at least National 5* grade B in:
  • Physics
  • English
  • Mathematics

Irish Leaving Certificate

H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including Biology and Chemistry. H1 required in one of these sciences.

• Minimum O3 is required in:
  • Physics*
  • English
  • Mathematics

International Baccalaureate

Pass the IB diploma with 666 at Higher Level including:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• A third subject of your choice
• Our standard offer is based on specific subject-grade requirements, rather than a total points score.

Diplomas and Further Certificates

All qualifications below are considered on top of existing Level 2 requirements (e.g. GCSEs, National 5s, O Levels, etc).

GCSEs

At least five GCSEs at grade A including:

• AA in Science (Double Award)/7-7 in Combined Science or Biology and Chemistry or Science and Additional Science.
• With at least a grade 6 (B) in:
  • English Language or Welsh Language (with at least grade 4 in the other language, if both are taken)
  • Mathematics
  • Physics (if taken as a separate GCSE)

Work Experience

To apply for the BVSc, you will need to have prior work experience in order to have developed animal handling skills and obtained an insight into the work of veterinary surgeons. Before you apply, you must have completed the minimum requirements:

• A total of 70 hours (e.g. 10 full days) of work experience (paid or voluntary) in one or more veterinary practices
• A total of 70 hours in one or more non-clinical working environments with live animals (excluding the home environment/family business/pet ownership), with at least 35 in large animal (excluding horse riding and horse ownership/family farm).

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 or above with minimum 6.5 in each component
• All applicants must have an acceptable English Language qualification.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for students commencing the course in 2026/27 are as follows:

• Home Tuition Fees: £9,790
• International Fees: £50,360

Admissions

Applications will not be considered from students currently on a degree programme unless they are in their final year.

Modules

Year 1

• Principles of Veterinary Practice and Evidence Based Medicine (Year 1)
• Animal Husbandry
• Alimentary, Endocrine & Urogenital Systems (Year 1)
• Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Locomotor Systems (Year 1)
• Neurology, Ophthalmology & Special Senses
• Principles of Science (Year 1)
• Population Medicine & Veterinary Public Health

Year 2

• Alimentary, Endocrine & Urogenital Systems (Year 2)
• Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Locomotor Systems (continued from Year 1)
• Principles of Science (continued from Year 1)
• Principles of Veterinary Practice & Evidence Based Medicine (continued from Year 1)

Year 3

• Principles of Veterinary Practice
• Principles of Science
• Locomotor
• Neurology, Ophthalmology and Special Senses
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
• Reproduction
• Urinary
• Alimentary
• Skin
• Scholarship and Evidence Based Medicine
• Lymphoreticular and Haemopoietic
• Endocrine
• Production Medicine
• Veterinary Public Health Essentials
• Clinical extra mural studies

Year 4

The majority of teaching during the fourth and fifth years of the programme is in the form of clinical rotations, where you will work in small groups in a variety of clinical environments.

• Rotation Preparation
• Intramural Clinical Rotations
• Principles of Veterinary Practice
• Population Medicine and Veterinary Public Health
• Research Project
• Clinical Extramural Studies

Year 5

The majority of teaching during the fourth and fifth years of the programme is in the form of clinical rotations, where you will work in small groups in a variety of clinical environments.

• Intramural Clinical Rotations
• Clinical Extra Mural Studies

Animal Husbandry Extra-Mural Studies (AHEMS)

AHEMS is undertaken during the first two years of the programme. AHEMS placements are designed to help you consolidate your learning about animal husbandry, develop animal handling skills, and learn about animal industries. You must complete 10 weeks of AHEMS before entry to Year 3 of the course.

Clinical Extra-Mural Studies (ClinEMS)

ClinEMS is the time dedicated to gaining practical clinical experience in the latter years of your veterinary medicine programme to support your learning and clinical experience gained in the RVC's animal hospitals. ClinEMS will allow you to gain experience in a variety of different clinical and other veterinary-related organisations, where you will consolidate your learning about diagnosis and management of animal diseases, enhance your practical clinical skills, and acquire greater understanding of how veterinary organisations operate. You will undertake ClinEMS placements in your third, fourth and fifth years of the BVSc programme, totalling 20 weeks of placements.

Career Opportunities

Graduates develop an in-depth scientific knowledge that may be applied to a number of different career pathways. These include mixed clinical practice, equine practices, farm/livestock practices, veterinary research, veterinary public health and policy, pharmaceutical industry, food security and conservation medicine. Additionally, having trained partially in Wales throughout the degree, graduates will be extremely well-suited to continuing their career in Welsh practices and other veterinary institutions and employers in Wales or rural practice.