Entry requirements
including Biology at grade B.
We also require a 'pass' in the science practical for each subject, where taking the English curriculum.
Two AS Levels at relevant grades would be accepted in place of one of the further (non-Biology) A Level subjects. General Studies is not accepted.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDMThe following Level 3 Extended Diplomas are also accepted with specific unit requirements (see the RVC website for details):
Pearson 'Applied Science' or 'Applied Science (Biomedical Science)';
Pearson 'Animal Management';
City & Guilds 'Animal Management (Science)'.
Access to HE Diploma
M: 24 credits
P: 21 creditsDiplomas must be Science based and include a minimum of:
15 Level 3 credits in Biology at Merit or higher;
9 further Level 3 credits at Merit or higher.
It is expected that applicants undertaking the Access to HE Diploma will normally be returning to education after a period of at least three years absence. If have extenuating circumstances which mean you do not fulfil this please contact the Admissions team on admissions@rvc.ac.uk before you submit your application.
See 'Scottish Advanced Higher'.
Scottish Advanced Higher
BCincluding Biology at grade B
in addition to:
3 Highers at grade C or above
and at least five National 5s at grade C including:
Mathematics
and at least grade B in:
English;
Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pass the IB Diploma with 544 in the Higher Level subjects, including Biology at grade 5.
Our standard offer is based on specific subject-grade requirements, rather than a total points score.
Where candidates have not taken GCSEs or an equivalent qualification prior to the IB, they will need:
SL Mathematics at grade 4
SL English A Lang-Lit at grade 5.
Mathematical Studies cannot be accepted in lieu of Mathematics.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
CApplicants who have achieved this qualification with grade C will be accepted with two A Levels, including:
Biology at grade B;
Another subject of your choice (excl. General Studies) at grade C.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3, H4, H4, H4, H5including Biology at H3.
If not achieved at H4 as part if the above, O3 required in:
English.
If not achieved as part of the above, O4 required in:
Mathematics.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
M2, M3, P1in three Principal Subjects including Biology at grade M2.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
(Only in addition to other qualifications).
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) including:
Mathematics
and at least grade 6 (B) in:
English Language;
6-5 in Combined Science or BC in Science (Double Award) or 6/B in one of: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science or Additional Science.
For Scottish applicants:
A minimum of five National 5s at grade C including:
Mathematics
and at least grade B in:
English and Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- All firm offer holders are required to complete a criminal convictions declaration before enrolling on to this course.
- Health checks
- Enrolment will be subject to passing an Occupational Health assessment.
Applicants should also read the RCVS' guidance on Day One Competences:
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/rcvs-day-one-skills-for-veterinary-nurses/
- Interview
- All applicants to this course must attend an interview, if invited, and cannot receive an offer without attending an interview. Interviews usually take place at our Hawkshead campus, normally in late February/March. Invitations to interview are sent by email around 2-3 weeks before the interview date. Once issued, applicants are required to respond to their interview invitation within 5 working days. If invited, it may not be possible to rearrange an interview for a different date, so applicants must ensure they are available for interview before applying and inform us by email of any specific days when they are unavailable.
Please note that if you apply to more than one of our Veterinary Nursing courses and your application progresses to the interview stage, you will be invited to attend one interview only which will be used in our assessment of each of your applications.
- Other
- You will need to have completed the minimum work experience requirements to enter onto the course:
A total of 70 hours (e.g. 10 full days) of work experience (paid or voluntary) in one or more small animal or mixed veterinary practices.
In addition, we would strongly recommend applicants gain practical experience of handling animals through hands-on animal-related work experience and gaining some experience in this field prior to interview would be advantageous. We are aware that opportunities may differ between candidates and therefore we have no specific hour requirements in this area and there are no specific environments that we require you to gain experience in. If you are looking for experience in this areas, examples of environments you could visit include kennels and catteries (both charities and commercial options), farms, stables, lambing, pet shops, wildlife parks, zoos etc.
Preference is given to those who have completed all required work experience by the application deadline. Applications are still encouraged from those whose work experience is ongoing, but to be considered for interview, you must have completed at least 35 hours in a small animal or mixed veterinary practice.
Applicants who satisfy our preliminary academic requirements will be sent a Work Experience Form to complete in order for us to gain more information about their work experience placements. Applicants successful in reaching the interview stage will be required to provide references to support the information given on this form.
The RVC uses email as the primary method for contacting applicants about their application. Emails may be sent from either admissions@rvc.ac.uk or myapplication@rvc.ac.uk and applicants are strongly encouraged to take the necessary steps to ensure emails from these addresses do not end up in spam or junk inboxes, as the RVC cannot accept responsibility for any applications that are unsuccessful as a result of missed information or deadlines
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | No less than 6.5 in each component is required |
|---|
Acceptable alternatives to IELTS can be found on our website:https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-language-requirements
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
