Undergraduate Veterinary Science Bristol Veterinary School s degree (BVSc) is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). You will not just qualify to practise as a veterinary surgeon through learning core competencies; you will also be educated through our new curriculum in the underpinning science and transferable skills that will make you a life-long learner with a wide choice of career opportunities throughout the global market. Why study Veterinary Science at Bristol? Bristol is a world-class university in a creative and dynamic city that provides a great student experience. Excellence in research informed teaching, an innovative curriculum and first-class facilities ensure that Bristol veterinary graduates stand out. While studying on the BVSc programme you can combine this outstanding city experience with time in the rural setting of the Langford campus where you are taught in modern clinical facilities which include new small animal and equine hospitals, a recently refurbished dairy farm and a clinical skills laboratory. Training in farms, other animal facilities and in veterinary establishments is one of Bristol s strengths, and reflects the importance of vets to the Global and One Health agendas. The acquisition of the underpinning science allows Bristol graduates to be problem solvers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Many Bristol students take the opportunity to intercalate into another science programme between years three and four. However, it is the friendly and supportive atmosphere of Bristol Vet School s community that students rate most highly. For more information on this and on our courses, visit bristol.ac.uk/ug14-vetscience.
What will I study? Course BVSc Veterinary Science, five years D100 A new spiral curriculum introduces you to the integrated structure and function of healthy animals followed by the mechanisms of disease and their clinical management. Vertical themes running throughout the course instil the importance of professional skills, animal health and welfare, and veterinary public health in all disciplines. For the first three years you will be based in Bristol but will spend at least one day per week at Langford; years four and five are taught at Langford, with an extended, lecture-free, final clinical year. It is a requirement of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) of all vet programmes that you undertake 38 weeks of Extra-Mural Studies on farms and in veterinary establishments. Bristol has a network of foster placements to help you find the experiences you need. Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, seminars, case-based learning, practical classes and Directed Self-Education (problem-based learning and individual/ group projects); in this way we aim to promote life-long learning skills. We are justifiably proud of new small and large animal surgical and advanced imaging facilities within our hospitals, which opened in February 2012. We also operate three practices (Small Animal, Farm Animal and Equine), which will enable you to work on first opinion cases on farms and in the clinic. Examinations normally take place in both January (mid-sessional) and June of each year utilising a mixture of methods to assess a range of skills including knowledge and understanding, problem solving, clinical reasoning, professionalism and practical skills. The degree of BVSc may be awarded with Merit or Distinction. What support is available? A parenting scheme, organised by Centaur our veterinary students own society, supports new undergraduates before their arrival in Bristol and throughout their first year. All students are allocated a personal tutor, based within Bristol for the first two years of the course and then at Langford for the final three years. The personal tutor scheme within the Veterinary School has a mainly pastoral role but also covers academic issues, and provides guidance to help you reflect on your personal professional development. The system is overseen by the Pre-Clinical and Clinical Deans. Bristol is also proud of its open door policy, allowing students easy access to academic staff for feedback and guidance. Students elect Year Representatives who are members of many Veterinary School committees, enabling feedback on academic and pastoral issues. Centaur provides additional support for students throughout their course and an annually elected student represents the student body at national level.
What s life like as a student? Veterinary students at Bristol are an extremely active group, running sports teams and organising many activities which often involve students in all five years. Centaur organises social events each year, including a barn dance, a soirée and the Vet Ball; the Pre-Clinical and Clinical pantomimes are particular highlights! Students also take part in the National Association of Veterinary Students weekend which involves undergraduates from all veterinary schools in the UK. What are my career prospects? Most veterinary graduates go straight into general practice. Some go into research at either universities or research institutes or go into industry, animal charities, eg RSPCA or Government bodies, eg DEFRA. The prospects for employment are good, with graduates increasingly tending to specialise in particular areas of farm or companion animal practice and continuing their professional development by studying for postgraduate certificates and diplomas awarded by the RCVS and at European level. Is there any advice you can give me on making my application? Bristol Veterinary School hosts a VetQuest weekend in March each year which is open to students in year 12 or the first year of college, wishing to learn more about the course, admissions processes and career opportunities. You will find details on the school s website. Other veterinary schools are likely to hold similar events and there are also national conferences such as VetMed Link held annually at the University of Nottingham. The Embryo Veterinary School is an independent commercial body which also offers courses for prospective veterinary students. Application to any UK veterinary school will require evidence of your work experience in animal and veterinary-related areas. Veterinary science degrees are long and highly academic, and at Bristol we use work experience as evidence that you understand the profession you are intending to enter and your commitment. This information is used alongside your all-round academic ability, non-academic achievements, contributions and interests during the initial short-listing for interview. Information about exactly what we are looking for in your personal statement is available on our website bristol.ac.uk/vetscience/undergraduate/bvsc The BMAT examination is not required for entry onto our course. Interviews comprise a 20 minute faceto-face interview which will investigate the depth of your knowledge gained during work experience, your motivation and your ability to communicate. In addition a series of multiple mini interviews will assess your problem solving skills, ability to perform a practical task, ability to handle data and perform calculations and your communication skills. Can I intercalate? We offer the opportunity to intercalate and study a subject in-depth for one year, leading to a BSc (Honours) or MSc degree. This may lead to a career in research, although you will also undoubtedly benefit from the experience in general practice. Some students study in Bristol, eg Anatomical Science, Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science, Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Zoology. Others intercalate in other universities, eg in Veterinary Pathology at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London, and Veterinary Infection and Disease Control at the University of Liverpool. Sponsorship may be available for intercalation but cannot be guaranteed.
Can I specialise? Specialisation does not form part of the undergraduate course at any UK veterinary school. However, in the newly re-structured final year you will have the opportunity to undertake a period of tracking in a species or area of your choice followed by an elective in specific topics, eg diagnostic imaging, orthopaedics, farm animals, equine studies or a research project. All veterinary graduates are required by the RCVS to have omnipotential and the day-one skills to deal with all animal species. Specialisation comes after a period in practice and takes the form of postgraduate certificates and diplomas at National and European levels. How are Extramural studies run at Bristol? Extramural studies are a statutory requirement of the RCVS but Bristol is particularly proud of its very well supervised and supported scheme. You will attend placements at a variety of farms and other animal establishments during the vacations in your first and second years, and then from your third year you will spend a considerable amount of each vacation working with veterinary surgeons. We help you to arrange placements, and our online system enables you and your supervisors in veterinary practice to monitor your progress in day-one skills.
Entry data Typical offer for BVSc Veterinary Science Please visit bristol.ac.uk/ug14-vetscience for pre-year and other qualifications A-levels Typical offer AAA (contextual offer AAB ) to include Chemistry, Biology and one other academic subject AS-levels No specific subjects required IB Diploma 37 points (contextual offer 35 ); 6, 6, 6 at Higher level to include Chemistry and Biology Access Pass Access to HE Diploma (Science or Medicine) with at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit. HE Diplomas in other subjects may be considered (please contact the University for clarification) IELTS 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each part GCSE English Language and two sciences. A minimum of six A*/A grades would normally be expected including Mathematics, if Mathematics or Physics not offered at A- or AS-level Selection UCAS form and interview Part-time study Not available Deferred applications Considered The University assesses applications on their individual merit and in accordance with a set of clearly defined principles as described at bristol. ac.uk/ug-admissions-principles. Admissions statements for all courses are available from bristol.ac.uk/ug-admissions-statements. A contextual offer (UK only) might be given when the educational context of the applicant is taken into account. The University is committed to ensuring that it attracts highly motivated students from a wide range of backgrounds. Our definition of educational disadvantage is reviewed annually and each case is considered on an individual basis.
Contacts School contact information For further information on the School of Veterinary Science, please visit: bristol.ac.uk/vetscience Useful contact information Admissions Undergraduate Admissions Office Tel: +44 (0)117 331 7203 Fax: +44 (0)117 331 7391 Email: vet-ug-admissions@bristol.ac.uk Accommodation Office Tel: +44 (0)117 954 6640 bristol.ac.uk/accommodation Disability Services Tel: +44 (0)117 331 0444 Fax: +44 (0)117 331 0456 bristol.ac.uk/disability-services University guide to the city of Bristol bristol.ac.uk/citybristol International Advice and Support Advice and Support for International Students Tel: +44 (0)117 331 8572 bristol.ac.uk/international/studentsupport If you need all or part of this publication in an accessible format (eg in Braille, in larger print or on CD), please contact Undergraduate Customer Relations and Student Marketing Tel: +44 (0)117 928 8623 Email: ug-publications@bristol.ac.uk Student Funding Office Tel: +44 (0)117 331 7972 bristol.ac.uk/studentfunding Photographic credit: Nick Smith, William King, Destination Bristol; other photographs University of Bristol. The information contained in this leaflet is correct at the time of printing (June 2013). Courses and facilities are liable to alter or be withdrawn at the University s discretion.