BVSc Veterinary Science (D100)

2024 entry | view 2025 entry

Course summary

You will benefit from a dual campus experience with learning across both city and nearby rural campuses. The Clifton campus is situated in the vibrant cultural hub that is Bristol city centre and home to our pre-clinical facilities at the UK's only School of Anatomy. There is also teaching at the nearby Bristol Veterinary School, located on our rural Langford campus.

Bristol Veterinary School is home to a range of extensive facilities including a dairy farm, Langford Vets multidisciplinary small animal referral hospital, farm animal and small animal practices, on-site abattoir, and diagnostic labs, with an equine practice nearby.

You will benefit from our on-campus award-winning clinical skills lab, cutting-edge labs and access to our celebrated team of clinical demonstrators, who will nurture you to develop confident practical skills.

We partner with other organisations to ensure students have ample experience across a wide range of species, such as opportunities to work in equine hospitals, the charity sector and with exotic species. Graduates will be able to pursue global career opportunities due to the courses various accreditations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

For the first three years you will be primarily based at the main University campus in Clifton, with time spent at the clinical campus in Langford. Years four and five are taught mainly at the Langford campus, with an extended final clinical year which includes on-site and off-site placements with our educational partners. In the final year, students develop their clinical skills with the support of experienced veterinary surgeons, including some shifts outside normal working hours.

Bristol Veterinary School holds accreditations from the following professional bodies:

  • The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
  • The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
  • The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)

This means that graduates of Bristol Veterinary School’s Veterinary Science Programmes can practice in the UK, as well as multiple countries around the world.

The RCVS have a mutual agreement with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), which means graduates of Bristol Veterinary Schools veterinary science programmes are also able to practise in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa.

For full information on Bristol Veterinary School's accreditations, please visit the accreditation page.

See further key information about our veterinary courses on the Bristol Veterinary School website.

Course structure

You will benefit from cutting-edge, evidenced based teaching methods and an innovative and interactive revised programme.

You will be hands-on from day one with an increasing use of collaborative and case-based learning and placements in a range of settings including veterinary practices, farms and the on-site abattoir. You will work alongside experts in their field and develop curiosity, problem solving, teamwork and decision-making skills across a wide range of veterinary contexts.

The updated curriculum features themes which instil scientific foundations, professional skills, clinical reasoning, practical skills and veterinary public health. Students also spend time on farms and in veterinary practices during vacations (Extra-Mural Studies; EMS), as required by the RCVS.

Year 1 - The first year forms a solid foundation for the following four years of the course, covering the anatomy and physiology of a range of body systems and the husbandry and handling of common species.

Year 2 - This year will cover the body's response to disease and how this is handled. Continuing with the anatomy and physiology of body systems whilst learning about the husbandry and handling of pigs, poultry and exotic pets.

Year 3 - During this year, students will learn how to diagnose and manage common conditions in a range of body systems. Practical learning will focus on clinical examination, surgical skills and communication skills.

Year 4 - Students will continue to build on knowledge of diagnosis and management of common conditions, working through increasingly complex cases and problems, and learning more advanced practical skills.

Year 5 - During the extended final year, students will put all their skills and knowledge into practice by undertaking supervised core rotations in a range of workplace settings. They will meet clients and their animals and learn about prioritisation and diagnosis of problems, deciding on treatment plans, and working effectively within a clinical team. For more information on course requirements please see the admissions statement.

Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.

Go to programme catalogue

Entry requirements

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.

AAA including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Graduates are required to obtain a 2:1 in their degree and BBB at A-level, including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Foundation degree (Level 5) or Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE Level 5) in relevant subject (minimum 60%) and BBB at A level including Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.
ABB including AB (in any order) in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

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DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in five specified Chemistry units

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36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 (in any order) at Higher Level in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics

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85% overall, with 8.5 in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics
Advanced Higher: AA in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics, and Standard Higher: AAAAB
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include:
  • at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and
  • at least 12 credits from Chemistry units; and
  • at least 12 credits from one of Biology, Physics or Mathematics.
  • One subject (Chemistry or the second science) must be achieved with 12 credits at Distinction, the other must be achieved with 9 out of the 12 credits at Distinction.


More about Access to HE entry requirements
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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