The Royal Veterinary College is the oldest and the largest vet school in the UK. This institute is among the only 11 schools in the UK where you can study and officially become a vet.

The school has about more than 2,550 students, of whom about 600 students are international students. Renowned for its expertise, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) stands as one of the top institutions in veterinary medicine, biosciences, and veterinary nursing worldwide.

For four consecutive years, the school has been ranked as the top veterinary school globally in the QS World Rankings by Subject. The RVC is located in Camden, London—rated the best student city in the world—and also has a 575-acre campus in Hertfordshire.

As one of the few veterinary schools globally, the RVC’s Veterinary Medicine courses are accredited by the RCVS in the UK, with recognition from the AVBC in Australasia, the VCI in Ireland, and the SAVC in South Africa.

The Royal Veterinary College states that it is committed to the three pillars of its mission:

1. To education
2. To the discovery and translation of new knowledge
3. To the delivery of the very best clinical care and opinion

The history of the Royal Veterinary College dates back to 1791 with the establishment of the Veterinary College of London. In 1875, the college was awarded a royal charter as the Royal Veterinary College, and it was the only veterinary college in the UK to hold a royal charter back then. In 1949 the college became a school of the University of London.

Royal Veterinary College holds accreditation from many prestigious professional bodies. Some of them are:

1. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
2. European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education
3. American Veterinary Medical Association
4. Royal Society of Biology

Royal Veterinary College is one of the oldest colleges in England, and it is well known for its excellent facilities.

1. First opinion small animal practice
2. Small animal referral hospital
3. Equine hospital
4. Boltons Park Farm
5. Activities Studio
6. Hawkshead Common Room
7. SU Minibus
8. The Haxby
9. The Buttery
10. Waiting rooms
11. Consulting rooms
12. Wards  
13. Surgery
14. Diagnostic imaging
15. Laboratory
16. Academic Consultancy
17. Business Incubation
18. Contract Research Services

Foundation

1. Veterinary Nursing

Undergraduate

1. Accelerated (Graduate)
2. Advanced Veterinary Nursing
3. Animal Biology, Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics
4. Animal Biology, Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics (with Placement Year)
5. Applied Biological Research
6. Applied Biological Research (with Placement Year)
7. Applied Bioveterinary Research
8. Applied Bioveterinary Research (with Placement Year)
9. Biological Sciences
10. Biological Sciences (4 Years)
11. Biological Sciences (Wildlife Health Sciences)
12. Biological Sciences (Wildlife Health Sciences) (4 Years)
13. Biological Sciences (Wildlife Health Sciences) (with Placement Year)
14. Biological Sciences (Wildlife Health Sciences) (with Placement Year) (5 Years)
15. Biological Sciences (with Placement Year)
16. Biological Sciences (with Placement Year) (5 Years)
17. Bioveterinary Sciences
18. Bioveterinary Sciences (4 Years)
19. Bioveterinary Sciences (Intercalated)
20. Bioveterinary Sciences (with Placement Year)
21. Bioveterinary Sciences (with Placement Year) (5 Years)
22. Comparative Pathology (Intercalated)
23. Veterinary Medicine
24. Veterinary Medicine (with an Intercalated Year)
25. Veterinary Nursing
26. Veterinary Science
27. Wild Animal Biology

Postgraduate

1. Advanced Veterinary Nursing
2. One Health: Ecosystems, Humans and Animals
3. Research
4. Veterinary Clinical Studies
5. Veterinary Education
6. Veterinary Education (1 Year)
7. Veterinary Education (Diploma)
8. Veterinary Epidemiology
9. Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health
10. Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health (Certificate)
11. Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health (Diploma)
12. Wild Animal Biology
13. Wild Animal Health

Royal Veterinary College has five departments. These include:

1. Comparative Biomedical Sciences
2. Clinical Science and Services
3. Pathobiology and Population Sciences
4. Professional Services
5. Other Departments/Divisions

Royal Veterinary College has a prestigious staff body. These include:

1. Anne, Princess Royal (Chancellor)
2. Professor Stuart Reid (President & Principal)
3. Professor Oliver Pybus (Vice Principal for Research and Innovation)
4. Amanda Boag (Vice Principal for Clinical Services)

1. At the RVC, 13 sports teams participate in weekly competitions within the BUCS (British University and College Sport) and LUSL (London University Sports League) leagues and other events.
2. With its diverse culture, excellent quality of life, and reputation as a welcoming international city, London has earned the title of the best city for university students globally.
3. Outside the college, you’ll discover a lively nightlife, stunning city views, beautiful natural spots, a rich food scene, museums, theatres, films, and concerts.
4. Throughout the year, London celebrates its diversity with events like the Notting Hill Carnival, Chinese New Year, and the annual Pride parade.
5. London is one of the greenest capital cities in the world, including eight Royal Parks in London and five in central London.
6. Among the city's green spaces, you'll find smaller garden squares, such as the beautiful Russell Square in Bloomsbury.
7. The Hawkshead Campus has a sports hall for badminton, netball, basketball, and football; a gymnasium; a dance and aerobics studio; a climbing wall; changing rooms; a table tennis table; and Batak.
8. At the very heart of the Hawkshead campus lies The Buttery, the beloved gathering spot for RVC students and staff since 1958.
9. Potters Bar, the nearest town to the Hawkshead campus, offers a variety of restaurants, independent shops, and churches.
10. Camden is home to the famous Camden Market and is pretty close to London Zoo and Regent's Park.
11. Just a few minutes' walk from campus, the King's Cross area has many shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The British Library and British Museum are also nearby.

1. Undergraduate: 80%
2. Postgraduate: 20%
3. Full-time students: 89%
4. Part-time students: 11%
5. UK students: 74%
6. EU students: 3%
7. International students: 23%
8. Female: 80%
9. Male: 20%

1. The Camden Campus is just a short walk from London King's Cross St Pancras, offering excellent transport connections to almost every part of the UK.
2. London boasts an excellent public transport system and a bike hire scheme, with public bikes available just outside the campus.
3. Hawkshead Campus is just a short bus ride away from Potters Bar town and train station, offering regular trains to King's Cross.
4. Both campuses are within easy reach of multiple airports, including London Heathrow, London City, Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted.
5. A free shuttle bus is available for students travelling between Potters Bar train station and Hawkshead Campus.

Self-catered accommodation costs £166 - £324 per week

Royal Veterinary College provides the utmost facilities in its accommodation services. The university has different accommodation options to suit all the needs and budgets of the students. The halls of residence include:

1. College Grove
2. Mary Brancker House
3. Intercollegiate Halls
4. College Close (for Veterinary Nursing Students)
5. Student Village
6. Odiham Hall

Royal Veterinary College offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. These include:

1. Badminton
2. Basketball
3. Boat Club
4. Equestrian Team
5. Gymnastics Club
6. Hockey
7. Ice Skating
8. Judo Club
9. Meditation Society
10. Men's Football
11. Men's Rugby
12. Netball
13. Polo
14. Riding Club
15. Rounders & Dodgeball
16. RVC Dance
17. Squash Club
18. Tennis
19. Touch Rugby
20. Trampolining
21. Triathlon & Athletics
22. Ultimate Frisbee Club
23. UoL Canoe Polo
24. Volleyball
25. Women's Football
26. Women's Rugby

Royal Veterinary College has partnerships with some of the most esteemed professional bodies. Some of them are:

1. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
2. Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI)
3. Advanced Veterinary Care Foundation (AVCF)
4. Stepan Gzhytskyi University (SGU)
5. Advanced Veterinary Care Foundation (AVCF)
6. Felcana
7. Savoo
8. Egerton House Hotel
9. Kittyrama
10. The Arts Society Beds & Herts Area
11. Stacy Chan
12. Lowthers Estate Agents
13. Matthew Cambery
14. Down Hall Hotel

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) aims to be the world leader in discovering and sharing knowledge that enhances the health of both humans and animals. Their research is of exceptional quality, making a significant impact on the health and well-being of humans and animals worldwide.

88% of its research was rated as internationally excellent or world-class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Their aim includes:

1. RVC researchers benefit from being close to London's international centres of excellence in biomedical and biological science
2. Researchers have easy access to expertise in functional genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics support
3. Co-operation and collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists leads to high-quality research outcomes
4. RVC scientists are focused on bridging the gap between early scientific discovery and its translation into new therapies for patients

Fee range for international students: £13,360 – £47,960 per year

Royal Veterinary College provides some of the most generous scholarships for international students to make their costs more affordable. Given below are some of the scholarships that the institute is currently providing:

1. Rufus of Ruskinmere Sciences Scholarship
2. RVC Sciences Scholarship
3. ACT Catt Scholarship
4. ACT Linkou Scholarships
5. International Scholarship
6. Sylvanus Scholarship
7. Rufus of Ruskinmere Scholarship for Mature Students
8. RVC University of London Scholarship for Students from Ethnic Minorities
9. RVC Humanitarian Scholarship
10. RVC Bursary for Home Undergraduate Students
11. RVC Care Leaver bursary
12. Bursary for Postgraduate Taught Courses
13. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
14. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
15. Fees Bursary for PhD applicants
16. Scholarships for all Postgraduate courses
17. Study a Master's in Europe Scholarship
18. Vets Now Ethnic Diversity Nursing Scholarship
19. Fulbright Scholarship
20. IVC Evidensia Diversity Scholarship
21. Chevening Scholarship

Royal Veterinary College has some notable alumni. These include:

1. Mary Brancker (First woman to become president of the British Veterinary Association)
2. Walter Plowright (English veterinary scientist)
3. Gordon Shattock (British veterinarian)
4. Dr Rory Cowlam (British veterinary surgeon)
5. Liz Bonnin (Science broadcaster)
6. Clare Bryant (Professor of Veterinary Science)

At Royal Veterinary College, they encourage students to begin considering their career options early and focus on developing their employability skills, both independently and through curriculum-based activities. Their services include:

1. Relevant, timetabled workshops as part of your course
2. One-to-one guidance discussions to help you with career decision-making and career questions
3. Guidance on preparing CVs, covering letters and job applications
4. Practice interviews and tips on how to handle assessment centres
5. Support to help you identify your transferable skills
6. Access to a range of careers & employability resources and software to support you in your career plans, as well as the Job Online jobs board

1. Received an award for Excellence in Faculty Development from leaders in healthcare education around the world
2. Ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024
3. Judged as ‘Outstanding’ for various awards by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
4. One of the top three veterinary schools in the world

1. 501–600th in World University Rankings 2025
2. 1st in QS WUR Ranking By Subject 2025

Royal Veterinary College has two campuses: one in London and another one in Hertfordshire. London sits along the River Thames. The city is a hub for commerce, culture, and transportation.

London offers a unique urban experience by combining historic landmarks like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace with architectural wonders such as The Shard and the London Eye.