The Royal Veterinary College

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC), established in 1791, is the oldest and largest independent veterinary school in the UK and a Member Institution of the University of London since 1949. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, and biological sciences, as well as continuing professional development (CPD) for veterinary professionals. The RVC operates two campuses: Camden in central London and Hawkshead in Hertfordshire, both equipped with academic, clinical, and student facilities.
 

RVC provides veterinary care through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices, including the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Europe’s largest small animal hospital. The college has a strong research focus, with 88% of its research rated internationally excellent or world class in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. It supports the veterinary profession via referral hospitals and clinical services across small animals, equine, and farm animals.
 

The college holds accreditations from several key bodies, including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK, the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), and probationary status from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Reciprocal arrangements allow graduates to practise in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa without further qualifications. For the USA and Canada, graduates must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) and meet regional requirements.

The RVC’s history began with veterinary pioneer Charles Vial de St Bel and the foundation of the Veterinary College in London. It has contributed to major veterinary advances, including early pathology research, vaccination techniques, and the training of female veterinarians. The college received its first Royal Charter in 1875 and has continuously expanded its facilities and programmes, including the London BioScience Innovation Centre, a hub for over 40 life sciences companies.
 

The college’s mission centres on education, research, and clinical care, aiming to advance veterinary medicine and animal welfare. Its strategic plans from 2022 onwards focus on blended learning, clinical excellence, digital and data integration, estates development, sustainability, equity, diversity, inclusion, and global engagement.
 

Academic departments include Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Science and Services, and Pathobiology and Population Sciences. The Professional Services Department ensures smooth operations and student support. Student life benefits from facilities such as modern laboratories, social learning spaces, gyms, and a Students’ Union.
 

RVC is committed to environmental sustainability, targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2040, with plans for heating decarbonisation, biodiversity enhancement, and sustainable procurement. It engages actively with local communities, schools, and businesses.

The RVC Enterprise team supports industry collaborations, academic consultancy, and intellectual property licensing, facilitating innovation and knowledge transfer. The college maintains a strong reputation, ranked first globally in veterinary science in the QS World University Rankings for 2025 and eighth in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. In the 2023/24 financial year, RVC reported a total income of £121.1 million and hosts approximately 2,600 students.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) was established in 1791, marking the formal beginning of veterinary education in the United Kingdom. The origins trace back to the late 18th century, when veterinary knowledge was limited, and the need for a structured veterinary profession was recognised. 

The racing horse Eclipse, unbeaten in 1769 and 1770 and retired in 1770, raised interest in veterinary expertise. Charles Benoit Vial de St Bel, a French veterinarian, proposed the establishment of a veterinary school in Britain, supported by the Odiham Agricultural Society, which sought improvements in animal husbandry and disease control. A London committee, including Granville Penn, was set up to establish a college.
 

In 1791, the Veterinary College, London, was built in the parish of St Pancras, on the site of today’s Camden Campus. The first four students enrolled in January 1792, beginning a three-year course covering all aspects of veterinary science. In 1793, the college opened an infirmary for diseased horses. That year, Charles Vial de St Bel died of glanders contracted while treating a horse at the infirmary. In 1796, John Shipp became the first veterinarian to join the British Army after obtaining his diploma. William Dick, an early graduate, completed a three-month course in 1818 and later founded Edinburgh’s veterinary school.

The college adopted the title "Royal" unofficially in 1826 due to King George IV’s patronage. In 1844, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) was founded, partly in response to concerns over the brevity of veterinary courses like Edward Coleman’s three-month programme. This led to a minimum two-year study requirement for veterinary education. The veterinary department of the Privy Council was also established that year, with James Beart Simmonds appointed as Chief Officer.

The RVC was formally granted its first Royal Charter in 1875, officially becoming the Royal Veterinary College. In 1885, the RCVS extended the veterinary course to four years. In 1888, the Melbourne Veterinary College, Australia’s first veterinary school, was founded by William Kendall, an RVC alumnus. John McFadyean joined the RVC as professor of pathology and bacteriology in 1891, establishing a research institute focused on animal pathology. The college acquired its first x-ray machine in 1894, and in 1900, McFadyean challenged prevailing beliefs about tuberculosis transmission from animals to humans.

In 1922, Aleen Cust became the first woman to hold the MRCVS Diploma after completing a revision course at the college. The college’s Camden buildings were declared unsafe in 1927, prompting a nationwide fundraising campaign led by Frederick Hobday, which financed rebuilding. The modern five-year veterinary programme was introduced in 1928, incorporating extramural studies. The Beaumont Animals’ Hospital opened in 1933, providing clinical training.

Olga Uvarov, who graduated in 1934, became the first female president of the RCVS in 1976. During World War II, the Camden Campus was evacuated to Streatley-on-Thames, Berkshire, except for Beaumont Hospital. In 1949, the RVC joined the University of London while retaining independence under its Royal Charter. The Hawkshead Estate in Hertfordshire was acquired in 1955 as a field station to replace the Streatley site.
 

The Queen Mother Hospital for Animals opened at Hawkshead in 1985, providing advanced referral services. The London BioScience Innovation Centre was established in 2000 at Camden to support life science companies. In 2001, the Large Animal Clinical Centre opened, and the world’s first veterinary clinical skills laboratory was launched. The college expanded its veterinary nursing and biological science programmes during this period.
 

In 2019, the RVC and Aberystwyth University launched the first joint Veterinary Science degree. In 2021, RVC partnered with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The college has focused on blended learning, clinical innovation, data and digital technologies, environmental sustainability, and equity, diversity, and inclusion in recent strategic plans.
 

The RVC is accredited by the RCVS (UK), the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), and holds probationary status with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). It maintains reciprocal agreements allowing graduates to practise in countries including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. The college supports students preparing for the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) required for practice in the USA and Canada.
 

By 2025, the RVC operates two main campuses with modern academic and clinical facilities, hosting approximately 2,600 students. It treats over 32,000 animals annually through its teaching hospitals and referral services. The college’s income was £121.1 million in 2023/24. It is ranked first worldwide in veterinary science according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. The RVC continues to contribute to veterinary education, research, clinical care, and industry collaboration, maintaining a leading role in advancing animal health and welfare.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) offers a wide range of courses across veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, and biological sciences, designed to train future professionals in animal health, welfare, and science. The programmes include undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications, and continuing professional development (CPD) courses.

The flagship programme is the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed), which is a full veterinary degree accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK, the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), and probationary status with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The BVetMed degree enables graduates to register as veterinary surgeons in the UK and, through reciprocal agreements, to practise in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa without further qualifications. The BVetMed course is a five-year programme for most students, though an accelerated four-year pathway exists for eligible applicants.
 

Students in the BVetMed course study a combination of theoretical and practical subjects. The initial years focus on foundational sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology. Clinical training intensifies in later years, with students gaining hands-on experience through the RVC’s teaching hospitals and first opinion practices. The college’s clinical facilities include the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital, and the Equine Hospital, where students learn to treat small animals, horses, and farm animals.
 

RVC also offers veterinary nursing courses, including the Foundation Degree in Veterinary Nursing (FdSc) and the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Veterinary Nursing. These programmes are accredited by the RCVS in the UK and the Accreditation Committee for Veterinary Nursing Education (ACOVENE) in the European Union. Veterinary nursing students receive training in animal care, nursing techniques, and clinical practice, preparing them to become Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs). The college offers advanced certificates in veterinary nursing specialisations, including Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Emergency and Critical Care, and Medical Nursing. These are postgraduate qualifications accredited by the RCVS and designed for practising veterinary nurses seeking specialist knowledge.
 

In the field of biological sciences, the RVC offers undergraduate degrees such as the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biological Sciences, Bioveterinary Sciences, Animal Biology, Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics, and Wildlife Health Sciences. These courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, which assures quality and relevance to scientific employers. Students in these programmes gain a strong understanding of biological principles, research methods, and animal science. Many courses include options for work-based learning and research projects to enhance practical skills.

The RVC also provides postgraduate opportunities through taught master’s degrees, research degrees (MPhil and PhD), and professional development courses. Postgraduate programmes cover areas such as veterinary epidemiology, pathology, infectious diseases, animal welfare, and clinical specialties. These courses are designed for graduates seeking to deepen their expertise, pursue research careers, or specialise in veterinary fields.
 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a key part of RVC’s offerings, with a wide range of on-site and online courses available for veterinary surgeons, nurses, and other professionals. CPD programmes provide updated knowledge, skills, and training in clinical practice, research, and professional skills. The RVC’s Lifelong Independent Veterinary Education (LIVE) Centre supports these activities, promoting teaching excellence and innovation.
 

Entry to the RVC courses is competitive and based on academic qualifications, relevant experience, and other selection criteria. The college offers support to applicants through outreach and widening participation programmes. International students are welcome, with dedicated support services to assist with admissions, visas, and integration.
 

The RVC ensures all its courses are delivered with modern teaching methods, including blended learning, practical skills laboratories, and clinical placements. The college’s strategic plan emphasises high-quality education, student wellbeing, and inclusion, aligned with accreditation standards and professional requirements.

• Ranked 1st worldwide for Veterinary Science in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025.
• Consistently placed in the top position for six of the last seven years in the QS rankings.
• Ranked 8th in the UK for Veterinary Science by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

Approximately 90% of graduates secure relevant employment or further study within six months of finishing their course. The college supports around 2,600 students, many of whom find placements in veterinary practices, research institutions, government agencies, and animal health industries. Clinical placements during the course and connections with veterinary hospitals and industry partners enhance students’ practical skills and employability. The RVC also offers career guidance and support to help graduates successfully enter the job market.

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