Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for the five-year programme. Accepted qualifications should be gained at the first attempt and in one set of exams.
Academic Achievements
We accept a wide range of qualifications. If your qualification is not listed below, please contact us.
Candidates are required to take a sixth year and undertake Advanced Highers.
STANDARD ENTRY REQUIREMENTS | MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (PLUS FLAG) | |
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Highers: AAAAB by the end of S5 to include Chemistry (A) and Biology (A) and B in one of Maths, Applications of Maths or Physics. Advanced Highers: Chemistry (B) and one of Biology, Maths or Physics (B). Advanced Higher Biology is recommended as this would be beneficial for the first year of the course. If Biology has not been studied in S5, it must be taken in S6 to Higher Level. National 5s: English at C. (Revised 6 April 2023 to remove Physics requirement at National 5) |
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University-approved SQA subjects
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is committed to widening access and welcomes applications from students with diverse backgrounds. We are keen to consider whether some applicants could benefit from being made an offer of an interview at the minimum entry requirement (the level you need to have achieved to be successful on the programme), or whether you might be eligible for additional credit in the selection process, in support of your application.
- Candidates assigned with a PLUS FLAG are normally guaranteed an interview provided they achieve or are predicted to achieve the academic minimum entry requirements and are able to demonstrate an understanding of the profession in their application.
- Candidates assigned with a FLAG will be considered for an offer at the standard requirement, but will receive additional consideration during the selection process
You can find further information on the University’s Widening Access policy, and use our Widening Access Online Checker to see if you meet the criteria for being either PLUS FLAG or FLAG here:
Widening Access - Online Checker
Graduates applying for our undergraduate veterinary medicine degree do not qualify for any additional consideration under our widening access offer policy unless they are care experienced or are an asylum seeker/refugee.
STANDARD ENTRY REQUIREMENTS | MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (PLUS FLAG) |
---|---|
AAA in one sitting to include Chemistry and Biology and one other University-approved subject. GCSE: English at C or 4. |
AAB in one sitting to include Chemistry (A) and Biology (A) and one other University-approved subject. GCSE: English at C or 4. |
We do not accept General Studies or Critical Thinking as a third A Level subject.
A BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Human Biology (D) is accepted in lieu of A-level Biology/Human Biology.
AS modules
Resits of AS level modules are acceptable. In order to be considered candidates must be predicted to gain our minimum entry requirements in A2 subjects. Only candidates who gain or are predicted to gain our minimum entry requirements within the normal 2-year period for A level examinations will be considered.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is committed to widening access and welcomes applications from students with diverse backgrounds. We are keen to consider whether some applicants could benefit from being made an offer of an interview at the minimum entry requirement (the level you need to have achieved to be successful on the programme), or whether you might be eligible for additional credit in the selection process, in support of your application.
- Candidates assigned with a PLUS FLAG are normally guaranteed an interview provided they achieve or are predicted to achieve the academic minimum entry requirements and are able to demonstrate an understanding of the profession in their application.
- Candidates assigned with a FLAG will be considered for an offer at the standard requirement, but will receive additional consideration during the selection process
You can find further information on the University’s Widening Access policy, and use our Widening Access Online Checker to see if you meet the criteria for being either PLUS FLAG or FLAG here:
Widening Access - Online Checker
Graduates applying for our undergraduate veterinary medicine degree do not qualify for any additional consideration under our widening access offer policy unless they are care experienced or are an asylum seeker/refugee.
STANDARD ENTRY REQUIREMENTS | MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (PLUS FLAG) |
---|---|
666 HL in Chemistry, Biology and one other subject. A minimum of 38 points overall SL: English at 5 or GCSE English at C or 4. |
665 HL in Chemistry (6), Biology (6) and one other subject. A minimum of 36 points overall SL: English at 5 or GCSE English at C or 4. |
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is committed to widening access and welcomes applications from students with diverse backgrounds. We are keen to consider whether some applicants could benefit from being made an offer of an interview at the minimum entry requirement (the level you need to have achieved to be successful on the programme), or whether you might be eligible for additional credit in the selection process, in support of your application.
- Candidates assigned with a PLUS FLAG are normally guaranteed an interview provided they achieve or are predicted to achieve the academic minimum entry requirements and are able to demonstrate an understanding of the profession in their application.
- Candidates assigned with a FLAG (previously Context) will be considered for an offer at the standard requirement, but will receive additional consideration during the selection process
You can find further information on the University’s Widening Access policy, and use our Widening Access Online Checker to see if you meet the criteria for being either PLUS FLAG or FLAG here:
Widening Access - Online Checker
Graduates applying for our undergraduate veterinary medicine degree do not qualify for any additional consideration under our widening access offer policy unless they are care experienced or are an asylum seeker/refugee.
The RVC Veterinary Gateway course is aimed at those who want to study veterinary medicine but who might not otherwise meet our entry requirements. The programme integrates an additional preparatory year designed to equip candidates with the knowledge and skills you need to study veterinary medicine.
This course is open to UK students only, who come from a 'widening participation' background.
Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) is an alternative route for adult learners and mature students to get into university or college.
SWAP offers an Access to Medical Studies programme which we accept for consideration for entry to year one of Veterinary Medicine from eligible applicants.
We welcome applicants from this route, though it should be noted that undertaking the Access to Medical Studies SWAP course gives no guarantee of an offer to Veterinary Medicine.
Successful applicants to our Veterinary Medicine degree from this route will be asked to achieve AAA in the three graded components of the Access course – Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry. Applicants will be expected to achieve 80% or more in each subject component, as well as an overall pass of the entire Access programme.
In order to be eligible to be considered for a place on this SWAP programme, applicants needs to have no previous experience of university-level study (which also includes having started and not completed a degree, unless under exceptional circumstances). Furthermore, potential students need to fulfil either of the additional eligibility criteria below:
- have been out of full-time education for at least 3 years AND have no qualifications above SCQF level 5 (National 5, Intermediate 2, Standard Grade, GCSE or equivalent); OR
- have been out of full-time education for at least 5 years if applicant already has qualifications at SCQF Level 6 or above (Highers, A Levels, HN).
Note that students who have previously undertaken the SWAP Access to Life Sciences course may also be considered for entry into the SWAP Access to Medical Studies programme.
Potential SWAP students need to be able to commit to college on a full-time basis (around 18-20 hours a week). They also need to have evidence of previous study of Biology, Chemistry and Maths at minimum level of National 5, Intermediate 2, Standard Grade, GCSE or equivalent.
For full information about the content and assessment of the SWAP Access to Medical Studies programme and guidance on how to apply please follow the links to the SWAP East and SWAP West websites:
For any further queries about the SWAP Access to Medical Studies programme, including eligibility criteria please contact SWAP directly:
D3, D3, D3 (or a combination of D3 and A level grade A) in Chemistry, Biology and one other University-approved subject.
Please refer to the the page below which provides specific information and advice for prospective students by country.
The Admissions Committee aims to select mature candidates from a variety of backgrounds to further enhance the diversity of the intake. Although mature applicants receive consideration, there is no relaxation of programme entry requirements. In order to be considered you would, therefore, have to achieve the normal minimum entry requirements. Normally candidates must attain these grades in the one sitting and at the first attempt. However, if you are not able to study full time (if, for example, you are continuing to work) you would not necessarily be expected to gain the grades at the one sitting but you would certainly have to attain them at the first attempt.
Mature students are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office providing further information on both school and further education examination results to discuss their qualifications on an individual basis prior to making a formal application.
A 2:1 Honours Degree (or equivalent), in an appropriate science subject. Candidates with a non-science degree will be considered provided they have gained high grades in Chemistry and Biology high school qualifications.
Please note that all candidates applying for the BVM&S as a second degree (including graduates from the UK, EU, EEA) are considered at the International Fee rate.
The Admissions Committee regrets that it cannot consider ONC, HNC, HND or part- degree qualifications as equivalent to an Upper Second Class Honours degree for entry requirement purposes.
Graduates applying for our undergraduate veterinary medicine degree do not qualify for any additional consideration under our widening access offer policy unless they are care experienced or are an asylum seeker/refugee.
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
SQA, GCSE and IB
For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
- SQA National 5 at C
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 at A
- SQA Intermediate 2 at C
- GCSE C or 4
- IB Standard Level 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic module overall 7.0 with 7.0 in each component
- TOEFL-iBT 100 (including Special Home Edition) or above with 23 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency overall 185 with 185 in each component
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Additional Tests
Please note that the following tests are NOT required for candidates applying to the BVM&S programmes at the University of Edinburgh:
- BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
- UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)
Non-academic achievements
Work experience requirements
We do not ask for specific types or number of days/weeks for work experience as it depends, to some extent, on the opportunities available to individual candidates. However, the broader the experience, the better, but you should not gain experience to the detriment of your academic studies. You should however gain both veterinary practice and animal work experience.
You should gain as much and as varied practical work experience as possible, which could include time spent:
- Seeing veterinary practice, both large and small animal if possible
- Livestock farms - dairy and lambing are particularly useful
- Other animal establishments, such as zoos, kennels, catteries, wildlife centres, pig farms, poultry farms and stables
- A day at an abattoir is recommended but not demanded
- We encourage experience gained in veterinary or medical laboratories to help you appreciate the scientific basis of veterinary medicine
- We will also take into consideration the online courses, examples of which are listed below
Please note: the above are suggestions and ideas for work experience. This is not a checklist and achieving all these placements is not a requirement.
Virtual Work Experience Course
An online course has been collaboratively developed by all veterinary schools in the UK. This MOOC serves as valuable preparation for individuals aspiring to enter the field of veterinary medicine.
Virtual Work Experience and Exploring the Veterinary Profession
At Edinburgh, we will also take other online courses into account. You can find a list of the ones we offer below:
Further information about UK Vet School Schools general admissions requirements can be found here: Vet Schools Council guide to admissions.
Work experience references are not required.
Applicants should provide detailed information on their practical experience (number of days/week spent and species worked with) in the appropriate section of their UCAS or VMCAS (North American graduates only) application. Candidates should be aware that the selectors can only take into account work already undertaken and not work planned. Applicants may receive an offer conditional on gaining further specified work experience.
Work Experience Summary (WES) Form - UCAS Candidates Only
All candidates applying via UCAS are required to complete and return a Work Experience Summary (WES) by 22 October. UCAS applications submitted without a WES will be considered incomplete. Further details about the WES are available below.
Non-academic achievements and interests
Your personal statement and references give us an idea of your skills, achievements and motivation, which are important factors in assessing your application.
- Social involvement
- School responsibilities
- Leadership
- Organisational abilities
- Interests and hobbies
- Cultural, sporting, musical, vocational and voluntary achievements
Widening Access at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
- Video: Widening Access at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
- We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to pursue their veterinary studies, but not everyone gets the same chance to show their academic potential at school or has the same support network as others. This is why we aim to work more closely with individuals form underrepresented communities who may not otherwise consider a career in veterinary medicine.