BVSc Veterinary Science

Program Overview

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BVSc Veterinary Science (D100)

2026 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

Benefitting from a brand-new curriculum, this course provides students with cutting-edge, evidence-based teaching methods. You will have the opportunity to be involved with case-based learning (addressing real-life clinical scenarios), signposting lectures, authentic coursework, a flipped classroom approach and built-in consolidation activities.

You will also benefit from:

• Opportunities to explore in-depth study and the Veterinary School's cutting-edge research
• Getting hands-on with animals from the start of the curriculum, with a range of placements
• Working alongside experts in their field

Dual campus experience

Benefit from a dual campus experience with learning across both city and nearby rural campuses.

The Clifton campus is situated in the vibrant cultural hub of Bristol city centre and makes use of the pre-clinical facilities at the UK's only School of Anatomy. There is also teaching at the nearby Bristol Veterinary School, located on our rural Langford campus.

Access to cutting-edge facilities

Bristol Veterinary School is home to a range of extensive facilities including:

• Langford Vets multidisciplinary small animal referral hospital, farm animal and small animal practices - with an equine practice nearby
• Purpose-built anatomy and post-mortem facilities
• Diagnostic labs
• Award-winning clinical skills lab
• Dairy farm
• Abattoir

You will benefit from an innovative curriculum and gain inspiration from world-leading researchers. Our celebrated team of clinical demonstrators will nurture you to develop essential practical skills.

Students can enjoy the onsite cafe, gym, student barn and abundant green spaces, alongside our welcoming and supportive community of staff and students.

Networking and global career opportunities

Our partner organisations ensure students have ample experience across a wide range of species. You will have the opportunity to work in equine hospitals, the charity sector and with exotic species.

Graduates can pursue global career opportunities due to various accreditations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Bristol Veterinary School holds accreditations from the following professional bodies:

• The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
• The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)

The RCVS has a mutual agreement with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

Overview

Typical offer

• A-level standard offer: AAA including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• A-level contextual offer: ABB including AB (in any order) in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Programme duration

• 5 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. Applicants wishing to transfer from another veterinary school may apply via UCAS but, due to the integrated nature of the course, transfer is only possible into year one.

Application method

• UCAS (Code: D100)

Location

• Clifton campus, Langford campus, Placements

Fees

• £9,535 per year, home students
• £40700 per year, international 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.

Course structure

Our revised curriculum is mapped to five vertical themes which will run throughout the whole curriculum:

• Scientific foundations of veterinary medicine
• Practical and clinical skills
• Clinical and professional reasoning
• Developing as a professional and lifelong learner
• Animals, people and planet

Students also spend time on farms and in veterinary practices during vacations (Extra-Mural Studies; EMS), as required by the RCVS.

For the first three years, you will be primarily based at the main University campus in Clifton, with time spent at the clinical campus in Langford. Years four and five are taught mainly at the Langford campus.

Year 1

Covers the anatomy and physiology of a range of body systems and the husbandry and handling of common species.

Year 2

Covers the body's response to disease and how this is handled. Continuing with the anatomy and physiology of body systems whilst learning about the husbandry and handling of pigs, poultry and exotic pets.

Year 3

Learn how to diagnose and manage common conditions in a range of body systems. Practical learning will focus on clinical examination, surgical skills and communication skills.

Year 4

You will continue to build on knowledge of diagnosis and management of common conditions, working through increasingly complex cases and problems and learning more advanced practical skills.

Year 5

An extended final year with supervised core rotations in a range of workplace settings, including some shifts outside normal working hours.

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

• AAA including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• Graduates are required to obtain a 2:1 in their degree and BBB at A-level, including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
• Foundation degree (Level 5) or Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE Level 5) in relevant subject (minimum 60%) and BBB at A level including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

A-level contextual offer

• ABB including AB (in any order) in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

BTEC

• DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics

International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer

• 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 (in any order) at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics

European Baccalaureate

• 85% overall, with 8.5 in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics

Scottish Qualifications Authority

• Advanced Higher: AA in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAB

Access to HE Diploma

• Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include:
  • at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and
  • at least 12 credits from Chemistry units; and
  • at least 12 credits from one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
  • One subject (Chemistry or the second science) must be achieved with 12 credits at Distinction, the other must be achieved with 9 out of the 12 credits at Distinction.

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.

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.

International qualifications

• The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

GCSE profile requirements

• Standard numeracy requirement (4 or C in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent) and Standard literacy requirement (4 or C in GCSE English or equivalent)

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.

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 Veterinary Science can be found in the Admissions Statement.