Royal Veterinary College
The Royal Veterinary College is the UK's largest and oldest veterinary school, founded in 1791 and consistently ranked among the world's top veterinary institutions. As a college of the University of London, RVC combines over 230 years of heritage with cutting-edge facilities and research that shape veterinary medicine globally. The college holds AVMA accreditation, enabling graduates to practice in the United States alongside the UK, a distinction shared by few institutions worldwide. RVC's distinguished history includes pioneering work in equine surgery, comparative pathology, and animal welfare, with alumni leading veterinary practice and research internationally. Notable alumni include numerous chief veterinary officers and leading practitioners who shaped modern veterinary science. The college operates across two main campuses: the historic Camden Town site in central London and the purpose-built Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire, where clinical training occurs alongside working farms and animal hospitals. RVC's philosophy combines rigorous scientific training with practical clinical experience, producing graduates prepared for the diversity of veterinary careers from small animal practice to wildlife conservation. The college maintains strong research programs in infectious disease, animal welfare, comparative medicine, and one health approaches linking animal and human health. Teaching draws on the college's hospitals, which handle thousands of cases annually, providing students exceptional clinical exposure. RVC's reputation attracts exceptional students from across the UK and internationally, with rigorous selection ensuring graduates maintain the profession's high standards.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Student life at the Royal Veterinary College reflects the unique character of veterinary education, where the demands of clinical training create tight-knit communities bound by shared purpose and mutual support. The dual-campus experience offers distinct atmospheres, with the Camden campus providing urban accessibility and proximity to London's cultural riches, while the Hawkshead campus offers a rural setting where students engage directly with animals in teaching facilities and the surrounding countryside. Student societies flourish around both clinical interests and broader pursuits, from the Emergency and Critical Care Society to sports clubs and performing arts groups that provide essential balance to intensive studies. The RVC Students' Union advocates for student welfare and organizes social events, academic support, and professional development opportunities throughout the academic year. Year groups progress through the curriculum together, developing the collaborative relationships that characterize successful veterinary teams and creating friendships that endure throughout careers. The college's proximity to central London opens access to world-class museums, theaters, restaurants, and nightlife that enrich student experience beyond the boundaries of campus. International students find supportive communities and dedicated services that ease the transition to UK academic life. The extra-mural studies requirement sends students to placements across the UK and internationally, building clinical experience while creating memorable adventures. Mental health and wellbeing support recognizes the challenges of veterinary training.
Location & Surroundings
The Royal Veterinary College's presence in London provides students with extraordinary advantages, situating veterinary education within one of the world's greatest cities while maintaining access to rural clinical facilities essential for comprehensive training. The Camden campus sits in the vibrant King's Cross area, where the recent transformation has created a dynamic neighborhood of cultural institutions, innovative businesses, and excellent transportation connections. Students benefit from easy access to the British Library, the Wellcome Collection, and numerous museums that enrich understanding of science, medicine, and global culture. The Hawkshead campus in Hertfordshire offers a dramatically different environment, with extensive animal facilities set amid countryside that provides ideal conditions for equine and farm animal instruction. This rural setting includes the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, which handles complex referral cases in small animal and equine medicine, and working farms where students gain practical livestock experience. London's position as a global hub for science, finance, and culture creates networking opportunities and career connections unavailable in smaller cities. The city's transportation network facilitates travel between campuses and beyond, while international airports enable students to maintain global connections. Housing options range from university accommodations to private rentals across London's diverse neighborhoods, with costs reflecting the realities of life in a major world capital.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Investment in a Royal Veterinary College education prepares graduates for rewarding careers across the breadth of veterinary medicine and related fields, with the college's international reputation opening doors worldwide. Tuition fees for UK students are regulated, while international students face higher fees that reflect the substantial resources required for veterinary education, including clinical facilities, hospital operations, and intensive supervision. Living expenses in London are significant, though the college offers some accommodation and provides guidance on managing costs in one of the world's most expensive cities. Scholarships, bursaries, and loan programs help many students manage the financial demands of veterinary education. Graduates emerge with qualifications recognized across multiple continents, enabling practice in the United Kingdom, European Union, United States, Canada, Australia, and beyond without additional examination in many cases. Career pathways extend from traditional small animal practice to specialized referral medicine, farm animal health, equine practice, zoological medicine, research, public health, and the pharmaceutical industry. The RVC Careers Service supports students and alumni in navigating diverse opportunities and developing professional skills. Starting salaries for new veterinary graduates have improved significantly, though the profession acknowledges ongoing discussions about compensation relative to educational investment and working conditions. Many graduates progress to specialist training, practice ownership, or academic careers that build upon their RVC foundation. The alumni network connects graduates to peers across specialties and continents, providing mentorship and professional opportunities throughout careers.
Campus Location
Explore More
See your match score for Royal Veterinary College
Find out how you compare to admitted students with a personalized admission assessment.
See your match score — Sign up free