Getting into Veterinary Science... The information in this slide was provided by Christopher Hobson of The Royal Veterinary College. A former King’s student is currently studying the subject at Nottingham University

What we’re going to look at...  Veterinary Medicine – Key Facts  Study Options  Academic Entry Requirements  Applications Figures  Additional Requirements  Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)  Work Experience  UCAS Application  Personal Statements  References  When to apply via UCAS  Interviews / Offers  Summary – The Application Ladder  Alternative Routes  Resources

Study Options All UK Veterinary Medicine courses must be accredited by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Courses can also be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) allowing students to work in N. America. UniversityYearsRCVSAVMAWebsite Bristol5YesNowww.bris.ac.uk Cambridge6YesNowww.cam.ac.uk Edinburgh5Yes Glasgow5Yes Liverpool5YesNowww.liv.ac.uk Nottingham5*Nowww.nott.ac.uk RVC5Yes

Typical Academic Entry Requirements  GCSE’s: High academic grades- aiming for at least 5 grade A’s (including Sciences). As well as minimum of a B grade in English Language and Mathematics.  A–Levels: AAA-AAB (tends to be Biology, Chemistry & another subject)  International Baccalaureate: 36 overall. Including Highers: 7,6,6 (Chemistry, Biology & any other subject excluding General Studies)  BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management: DDD (specific modules and grades required) (Not accepted: Cambridge, Edinburgh & Glasgow)  4 A-Levels – any advantage?  A* Grades – any advantage?  Re-sits – any disadvantage?

Academic Entry Requirements UniversityGCSE Grades Required GCSE’S A-Level Grades Required A-Levels IB Grades IB Highers Required BTEC BristolHighSciences, Maths & Eng Lang AABChemistry & Biology 35 (Highers: 6,6,6) Chemistry & Biology DDD & Chem CambridgeC+Sciences & Maths A*AAChemistry & two sciences Accepted No EdinburghB (Chem A) Science & Maths AAB or ABBB Chemistry (A), Biology & Science 36 (Highers: 6,6,6) Chemistry, Biology & Science No GlasgowA (x5) B (M&E) Sciences, Maths & Eng Lang AABChemistry, Biology 36 (Highers: 6,6,6) (Stand: 5) Chemistry & Biology (Stand:Physic s or Maths) No LiverpoolBSciences, Maths & Eng Lang AAB & B (AS) Biology, and Science 36 (Highers: 6,6,6) Chemistry & Biology DDD & AS Scienc NottinghamA (x5) B (M&E) Sciences, Maths & Eng Lang AABChemistry & Biology 36 (Highers: 7,6,6) Chemistry & Biology DDM RVCA (x5) B (M&E) Sciences, Maths & Eng Lang AAA- AAB Chemistry & Biology (Highers: 7,6,6) Chemistry & Biology DDD

Application Figures Average number of Applications - Places UniversityApplications (Approx) Places (Approx) Bristol1, Cambridge41476 Edinburgh1,30072 Glasgow100 Liverpool1, Nottingham1, RVC1, TOTAL (APPROX):787 Total Admissions in 2007:855 Total number of Applications - Acceptances YearApplicationsAcceptances 20041, , ,3911, ,8551, , ,035TBC 20102,320TBC

Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)  Cambridge & RVC asks applicants to Veterinary Medicine to sit the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)(  Two hour test (three sections)  Aptitude & Skills  Scientific Knowledge & Applications  Writing Task  Key Dates for 2010 Applicants  1 st July 2009: Registration Opened  30 th September 2009: First Deadline (£32.10)  15 th October 2009: Final Deadline (£64.20)  4 th November 2009: Test Date  1 st December 2009: Results Day (Internet)

Work Experience  Amount and range variable between institutions, but all beneficial.  Not stipulated- Cambridge, Edinburgh & Glasgow  2 weeks- Bristol & RVC (1:1)  6 weeks- Nottingham  10 weeks- Liverpool (4:6)  Aim for variety:  Work in a veterinary practice  Lambing, milking or helping out on a farm  Work in stables or a livery  Animal rescue centres  Research work in a lab  Abattoir  Expect rejection, but keep persisting  Diary/Journal  References

Personal Statements  Show don’t tell (self praise = no praise / referee = praise)  Top 80%  Aim – demonstrate commitment and dedication  What drives applicant to follow this career path  Experience (What did & what learned from it)  Knowledge of subjects – journals, books etc  Interest – Current affairs  Remaining 20%  Aim – show that well rounded individual  Activities  Positions of responsibility  Volunteering  Personal Statement = Interview Prompt Sheet

References  We want a flavour of the students personality  Correct name  Reflects the applicant  Predicted grades  How they are progressing  Information about the school  Contextualise  Is there a different teaching structure?  Any problems?  Any extenuating circumstances?

When to apply via UCAS  Deadline  15 th October  The earlier we can process an application the quicker it’s likely to be that an applicant will hear from us.

Interviews  Personal Statement – Our prompt sheet (RVC)  Questions  Motivations for becoming a vet  Work experience – in detail as will be pushed  Knowledge of current issues – Swine Flu etc  Ethics  What we’re looking for:  Commitment/Dedication  Knowledge  Enthusiasm  Communication Skills  Advice – Practice in a similar environment Offers  March - April  Applicants informed as to whether or not their application has been successful.

Interviews Interview Format UniversityFormatDuration BristolPanel20 minutes Cambridgex2 Panel20-30 min each EdinburghPanel GlasgowPanel20-30 min Liverpoolx9 Stations, inc. 2 rest stations (5 minutes each station) 1 hour NottinghamPanel, Practical & Team 20 min each RVCPanel20-30 min

GOAL -> VETERINARY MEDICINE STUDENT Interview References Personal Statements Work Experience Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) Academic Entry Requirements START ->APPLICANT Summary - The Application Ladder

 Preliminary Year (if missing sciences)  Bristol  Nottingham  Gateway Programme  RVC  Graduate Programme (Accelerated)  Edinburgh  Liverpool  RVC Alternative Routes

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Resources  Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons  To be a Vet  Vet Careers: You Tube  Biomedical Admissions Test  Courses in Animal and Veterinary Education  RVC Podcasts – Interviews