Veterinary Science (BVSc)

Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Sciences is delivering the BVSc Veterinary Science degree in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). Aberystwyth University has been established since 1872, and for over a hundred years has been delivering innovative research in the Agriculture, Animal and Biological Sciences. Established in 1791, The RVC is the UK’s largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a member institution of the University of London.

The RVC is ranked as the world’s number one veterinary school in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2024. The Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree, jointly hosted at both Aberystwyth University and the RVC offers you a chance to train at two world-leading institutions.

Accreditation

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) quality assures veterinary degrees at UK vet schools by means of specific accreditation standards. Graduates from accredited schools join the RCVS register as members allowing them to practise veterinary surgery in the UK. Aberystwyth University, the Royal Veterinary College and the RCVS are working together to ensure that the new degree meets these standards and that graduates will be eligible for registration.

Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, veterinary degrees must have a “recognition order” from the Privy Council before graduates can automatically be eligible for registration with the RCVS. The Privy Council will take advice from RCVS on this. The process takes a number of years as full approval cannot be considered until after the RCVS undertakes a formal inspection of the full course and its standards in 2026 when the first cohort of students will have completed their degrees.

Until that time, both institutions are liaising regularly with the RCVS to ensure that progress towards accreditation is maintained. Should any unforeseen issues arise, the Veterinary Surgeons Act includes a provision to help ensure that those completing their final exams in an as-yet-unapproved degree may still be allowed to register, in that the Privy Council may invite the RCVS to set examinations for any students attending a non-approved UK veterinary degree course, or alternatively appoint RCVS External Examiners to oversee the standard of the final year examinations. Students who pass the RCVS-controlled examinations would then be able to register with the RCVS and practise as veterinary surgeons in the UK, regardless of the outcome of the degree’s accreditation process.

This is in line with the arrangements for any new veterinary degree programmes. Practical and Clinical Teaching 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 the third year 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 science programme to support your learning and clinical experience. 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.

During the third, fourth and fifth years you will undertake ClinEMS placements, totalling 20 weeks of placements. Intramural clinical rotations In the final two years of the course, your clinical experience will focus on: observation, discussion and practical experience as a clinical team member within the RVC hospitals, and in clinical enterprises in which the RVC is a collaborating partner during your time on rotations your learning and understanding will be…