Veterinary Medicine

Royal Veterinary College

This Summer School, funded by the RVC and the Sutton Trust, is a free to attend, 5-day residential course for fifty current Year 12 (England/Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland) or S5 (Scotland) pupils from under-represented backgrounds.

The Sutton Trust Summer School is amongst the RVC’s most immersive residential programmes. This free to attend Summer School sees students live on RVC’S Hertfordshire Campus with all meals and equipment provided. Students, no matter their previous contact with animals, will have the opportunity to complete a variety of animal handling placements across a number of the RVC’s facilities that can contribute towards work experience requirements.

This Summer School is designed to provide an authentic experience of what studying at the RVC is like with time spent at both campuses (London and Hertfordshire). The academic schedule will include lectures on a wide range of veterinary topics, conducting a research project, engaging in group-led teaching, learning practical clinical skills, and trying to solve a real-life veterinary case! To complement the teaching, learning will take place within a welcoming and inclusive environment alongside peers from similar backgrounds, all with aspirations to study Veterinary Medicine.

Students will be allocated a Student Ambassador as a mentor to support and guide their academic and professional development during the Summer School. Dedicated RVC professionals will provide comprehensive sessions around the application process with the aim of empowering students to fulfil their potential and join the RVC.

To support the comprehensive schedule there is a full social programme that facilitates the integration of Summer School students as well as providing an environment to develop skills, attributes and friendships. In past years this has included: sporting events, cooking together as a house and a quiz night.

18 August 2025 - 22 August 2025

50 PROGRAMME PLACES

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Students must meet the GCSE Entry Requirements and then one of the following Level 3 Qualifications (A levels/BTEC/Welsh Baccalaureate/IB/Scottish Advanced Highers):

GCSE Entry Requirements:
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4/C including the following subjects:
4-4 in Combined Science or CC in Science (Double Award) or C in both Science & Additional Science or 4/C in Biology and Chemistry.
English Language
Mathematics

Welsh applicants, please note, GCSE Mathematics-Numeracy will not be accepted instead of GCSE Mathematics but is welcomed alongside it, and as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate.

A-Level Entry Requirements:
CCC in three A Level subjects including:
Biology
Chemistry
One other subject of your choice*
It would also be expected that candidates pass their science practical for each relevant subject, where taking the English curriculum.
*The third A Level subject should not overlap with Biology or Chemistry, and cannot be General Studies.

BTEC Requirements
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science / Applied Science (Biomedical Science): DDM overall with Distinctions in:
Principles and Applications of Science I (90)
Principles and Applications of Science II (120)
Science Investigation Skills or Contemporary Issues in Science (120)
Candidates must also achieve at least Merits in two of the following units:
Applications of Organic Chemistry; Applications of Inorganic Chemistry; Practical Chemical Analysis (120)
In addition:
Applied Science: at least three units from Group A must be taken
Applied Science (Biomedical Science): at least four units from Group A must be taken

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Animal Management (1080): DDM overall with Distinctions in:
• Animal Biology (120)
• Practical Skills in Animal Science (60)
• Animal Metabolism (60)
• Animal Breeding and Genetics (120) or Animal Welfare and Ethics (120) with Merit in the other
City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Animal Management (Science)*: D / DDM overall with Distinctions in:
• Biological Systems of Animals
• Theory Exam (2)
• Synoptic Assessment (1) or (2) with Merit in the other
Welsh Baccalaureate:
Applicants who have achieved the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification with grade C will be accepted with two A Levels:
Biology at grade C
Chemistry at grade C

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
Advanced Highers at grade C or above in:
Biology
Chemistry
in addition to 5 Highers at grade C or above including:
Biology
Chemistry
and at least National 5 grade C in:
English
Mathematics
* If you have bypassed one or more of these subjects at National 5, you will need this subject/grade at Higher level.

IB Requirements:
444 at Higher Level in:
Biology
Chemistry
One other subject
All third choices are equally acceptable to RVC selectors. There is no third subject which is preferred or gives any special advantage in the selection process.

Veterinary Medicine

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