UK/Irish Vet Schools c/o 2021/2022

[Staffie]

I think the atmosphere in the beginning is shocking coming from an American university. The UK students are 18 years old and the amount of partying the school puts on for the freshers is insane to me coming from the US. It made me feel a little like I was going backwards while all my friends in the US were learning and moving forward, RVC is a 7-day, non-stop party. It has calmed down a lot, but the first few months here... think back to freshman year at college if the school supplied alcohol and the drinking age was 18.

If you're in the 4 year program, most of your UK classmates are around 21/22 years old. Even so, I find that drinking culture in the UK is much more ubiquitous than in the US. It is a bit frustrating that so much revolves around alcohol. I enjoy a drink, I just don't think it's so exciting that it needs to be at the heart of most social engagements. You can definitely avoid it if you want, but most of your classmates will likely be fairly preoccupied by it. Also, just for clarification - the school rarely provides alcohol for you. I think there was one social that RVC put on for graduate and mature students my first year where there was beer and wine. The Freshers week events are put on by the student union, not the university. But they mostly revolve around alcohol and are pretty immature, so I choose to steer clear of all that. So don't feel like you have to go to that stuff if you don't want to.

A lot of my annoyance in the beginning came from the total lack of organization in the first few weeks. For such a well-respected and old program they are really bad at communication. I am not sure if it is just this year, or if this is an ongoing issue, but our entire class had to pry information out of RVC in the first few weeks. They really like to focus on the 'now' and the rest 'they will tell you as you need it' which is extremely frustrating. I have a feeling that is mostly an issue this year because they have had a large turnover of staff this year, but it is so difficult when you are trying to find information and you can't.

Nope, it's not just an issue this year. RVC is really crap at administrative stuff. You need to be your own advocate when you're sorting things out for yourself. Be firm but polite. Eventually you get what you need sorted.

Also, they really don't like telling you too much detail about the structure of the course or prepping you for things too early. It's hard to find much information out about what to expect in the later years of the course. I think they just prefer to tell you things when you're about to start it so that they can make changes as they go along. I advise you to research things ahead of time yourself (this forum is a great help) because RVC won't tell you much too early on. For instance, my class is just about to start rotations next month, but we've never had a talk about internships and residencies or anything (we finally have one later this week). I'm pretty sure most of my class has no idea how a vet would go about becoming a specialist. It's a bit frustrating that they don't seem that concerned about giving career advice or anything like that until you're basically done. I prefer to plan a few steps ahead and tailor my EMS placements a bit more. They also don't tell you things that would be really helpful to know early on. For instance, RVC will reimburse you for VetPrep or Zuku if you complete at least 50% of it. Also, they'll reimburse you for the the cost of rabies vaccination if any of your EMS placements require it. Rabies vaccines cost about £55 for each dose here. They also will reimburse you for fuel costs for driving to your required farm animal rotations. Lots of little things like this I would have liked to know ahead of time, but they don't like to let you know things early on.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[RedLauren]

Does anyone accepted to RVC know for sure if they’re going?

 

[vetcetera]

Thank you everyone for all the valuable info!! I, too, am trying to decide between schools (never thought I would have this problem!!). I am deciding between Glasgow and RVC. I had a couple questions, as well:

One of the pros for Glasgow for me is that the class size is smaller. At RVC I know that the accelerated program has around 88 students per year, and there are around 160 students in the 5 year program. For the pre-clinical years does everyone in each program attend lectures together? Or do they have separate lectures for students in the 4 and 5 year program? I guess I'm wondering if you will be in class with only 88 people, or 250. I went to a HUGE school for undergrad, and hated it. I love RVC for its location and reputation, but the trade off for having access to a large specialty hospital and other resources is that the school is BIG- I worry that I will get lost! Do any students who attended RVC have any advice about how the program would suit someone who is worried about class size? Do Glasgow students feel like the small class size makes for a more personal learning experience?

As for Glasgow, I have heard great things about large animal caseloads and opportunities. How do Glasgow students feel about the small animal cases they have been able to see? Do you feel like you got to see a large variety of cases within specialty rotations like Cardiology, Ophtho, ECC, etc? I am not sure yet wether I want to pursue Large or Small Animal (I love both!!!) but it sometimes feel like at each school, they are great for one or the other, you know?

Also, If I were to attend RVC, I would likely live with a friend of mine in London. She works in central London, so I doubt that living near the Hawkshead campus would be feasible for her ... is it possible to live in North/Central London for the whole program? I think if we compromised on location, we would live in Islington or Finsbury... I'm a non-traditional student (read: OLD) so I'm not that crazy about living on campus, but I know that I will NOT be able to afford to live on my own...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Staffie]

Thank you everyone for all the valuable info!! I, too, am trying to decide between schools (never thought I would have this problem!!). I am deciding between Glasgow and RVC. I had a couple questions, as well:

One of the pros for Glasgow for me is that the class size is smaller. At RVC I know that the accelerated program has around 88 students per year, and there are around 160 students in the 5 year program. For the pre-clinical years does everyone in each program attend lectures together? Or do they have separate lectures for students in the 4 and 5 year program? I guess I'm wondering if you will be in class with only 88 people, or 250. I went to a HUGE school for undergrad, and hated it. I love RVC for its location and reputation, but the trade off for having access to a large specialty hospital and other resources is that the school is BIG- I worry that I will get lost! Do any students who attended RVC have any advice about how the program would suit someone who is worried about class size? Do Glasgow students feel like the small class size makes for a more personal learning experience?

As for Glasgow, I have heard great things about large animal caseloads and opportunities. How do Glasgow students feel about the small animal cases they have been able to see? Do you feel like you got to see a large variety of cases within specialty rotations like Cardiology, Ophtho, ECC, etc? I am not sure yet wether I want to pursue Large or Small Animal (I love both!!!) but it sometimes feel like at each school, they are great for one or the other, you know?

Also, If I were to attend RVC, I would likely live with a friend of mine in London. She works in central London, so I doubt that living near the Hawkshead campus would be feasible for her ... is it possible to live in North/Central London for the whole program? I think if we compromised on location, we would live in Islington or Finsbury... I'm a non-traditional student (read: OLD) so I'm not that crazy about living on campus, but I know that I will NOT be able to afford to live on my own...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

At RVC I think the 4 year class is closer to 100 students now (not entirely sure. It was about 80 when I was in it during 2015-16). The 4 year program does all their classes together, separately from the 5 year program. For the 2nd year of the 4 year program you join the 5 year program in their third year (so your second year is BVetMed3). I'm in BVetMed4 now and my class is ~265 students. It's easy to stay fairly anonymous if you want. But the faculty is pretty accessible if you seek them out. And you get assigned a "tutor" who is just a faculty member that you meet with a few times a year. You can set up more meetings with them if you want. They're a great resource to go to if you want more help or career advice or whatever. We also have quite a lot of DLs or directed learning sessions, which all basically clinical scenarios (BVetMed3+) you work through in your small group (5 or 6 students). There are about 8 groups in a classroom at once and an instructor to help out. We also have smaller group sessions for practicals with farm animals or clinical skills. So you do get to do a fair bit of your learning in a smaller group than just the whole class in a lecture hall. You can easily never meet half your class if you don't care to.

You can definitely live in London for your time in Camden. I commuted from south of the river everyday. If you're in north London, you should be able to commute for BVetMed3 and 4 in Hawkshead up until you have rotations. It is kind of expensive to get the train in to Potters Bar everyday, but you could always just watch recorded lectures if you prefer (though there are quite a few DL sessions that I'd recommend coming in for). I don't think it would be possible to live too far away from Hawkshead when you're on rotations, especially for when you're on call and need to be able to get to the hospital in about 20 minutes. You could just stay on campus at Odiham Hall when you need to (it's a dorm on campus that doesn't have a long term contract, so you can stay at it only for the weeks you need to). It's an option. But really, I recommend living close to Hawkshead if you can.

 

[vetcetera]

At RVC I think the 4 year class is closer to 100 students now (not entirely sure. It was about 80 when I was in it during 2015-16). The 4 year program does all their classes together, separately from the 5 year program. For the 2nd year of the 4 year program you join the 5 year program in their third year (so your second year is BVetMed3). I'm in BVetMed4 now and my class is ~265 students. It's easy to stay fairly anonymous if you want. But the faculty is pretty accessible if you seek them out. And you get assigned a "tutor" who is just a faculty member that you meet with a few times a year. You can set up more meetings with them if you want. They're a great resource to go to if you want more help or career advice or whatever. We also have quite a lot of DLs or directed learning sessions, which all basically clinical scenarios (BVetMed3+) you work through in your small group (5 or 6 students). There are about 8 groups in a classroom at once and an instructor to help out. We also have smaller group sessions for practicals with farm animals or clinical skills. So you do get to do a fair bit of your learning in a smaller group than just the whole class in a lecture hall. You can easily never meet half your class if you don't care to.

You can definitely live in London for your time in Camden. I commuted from south of the river everyday. If you're in north London, you should be able to commute for BVetMed3 and 4 in Hawkshead up until you have rotations. It is kind of expensive to get the train in to Potters Bar everyday, but you could always just watch recorded lectures if you prefer (though there are quite a few DL sessions that I'd recommend coming in for). I don't think it would be possible to live too far away from Hawkshead when you're on rotations, especially for when you're on call and need to be able to get to the hospital in about 20 minutes. You could just stay on campus at Odiham Hall when you need to (it's a dorm on campus that doesn't have a long term contract, so you can stay at it only for the weeks you need to). It's an option. But really, I recommend living close to Hawkshead if you can.

Thank You for all the info!!! I like the idea of directed learning sessions in the small groups- I was worried that it would be all lectures with hundreds of other people like in undergrad.

My friend currently lives south of the river and really loves her neighborhood, so if I end up at RVC maybe I could live with her for at least the first year and then see what my other options are... Good to hear that it is possible

Also, would you say it is possible to do the final clinical year and rotations without a car? I really don't want to have to get a car...

 

[LabLuv004]

Thank You for all the info!!! I like the idea of directed learning sessions in the small groups- I was worried that it would be all lectures with hundreds of other people like in undergrad.

My friend currently lives south of the river and really loves her neighborhood, so if I end up at RVC maybe I could live with her for at least the first year and then see what my other options are... Good to hear that it is possible

Also, would you say it is possible to do the final clinical year and rotations without a car? I really don't want to have to get a car...

This year our class is 100 for the graduate program and it feels really small. I love our directed learning sessions since you get some time to go over everything and it breaks up the day. Even in lectures 100 people doesn't feel that big. I'm sure next year will feel massive compared to the graduate year, since we join the BVetMed 3, but we will still have tutor groups to do our directed learnings with. I feel like they really try to break up lectures with things like dissections, directed learnings, and self-directed learning activities (usually on the computer and then they have an answer session after). There are some weeks that are really lecture heavy, but it isn't 100% lectures.

Plenty of people commute to Camden from all over London and I know a few that plan to try to commute into Hawkshead, but I don't know how that will work out for them. I am not planning on getting my license here because I hear it is really difficult and expensive. The VP of the college came to speak to us about trying to cut down on people driving into Hawkshead by limiting parking permits, so that is another reason I'm planning not to get a car. I'm hoping not having a car won't be an issue for clinicals, especially since they don't want us driving in, but they haven't addressed that with my class yet.

 

[RedLauren]

I’m just about sold on RVC SO EXCITED

 

[RedLauren]

Also LabLuv I saw an earlier post you made of you blog and I’ve been reading it. Super helpful thank you!!

 

[CanadianExplorer]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking a long time but finally decided to post.

I received my conditional acceptance to RVC today! I interviewed in California back in November.

 

[vetcetera]

This year our class is 100 for the graduate program and it feels really small. I love our directed learning sessions since you get some time to go over everything and it breaks up the day. Even in lectures 100 people doesn't feel that big. I'm sure next year will feel massive compared to the graduate year, since we join the BVetMed 3, but we will still have tutor groups to do our directed learnings with. I feel like they really try to break up lectures with things like dissections, directed learnings, and self-directed learning activities (usually on the computer and then they have an answer session after). There are some weeks that are really lecture heavy, but it isn't 100% lectures.

Plenty of people commute to Camden from all over London and I know a few that plan to try to commute into Hawkshead, but I don't know how that will work out for them. I am not planning on getting my license here because I hear it is really difficult and expensive. The VP of the college came to speak to us about trying to cut down on people driving into Hawkshead by limiting parking permits, so that is another reason I'm planning not to get a car. I'm hoping not having a car won't be an issue for clinicals, especially since they don't want us driving in, but they haven't addressed that with my class yet.

That makes me feel a lot better about the class size, thank you!!! Also, I agree with @RedLauren , your blog has been very helpful!

 

[vetcetera]

I’m just about sold on RVC SO EXCITED

Yay!!!! I think I’m leaning that way too... have you visited campus? Are you planning on going to any of the accepted student days? I wasn’t going to, but now I feel like if I’m spending all this money on tuition, the cost for this trip isn’t so bad, and I should probably at least see the facilities, right? I’m torn.

 

[LabLuv004]

Also LabLuv I saw an earlier post you made of you blog and I’ve been reading it. Super helpful thank you!!

That makes me feel a lot better about the class size, thank you!!! Also, I agree with @RedLauren , your blog has been very helpful!

Thanks guys! I mainly did it for my family back home and then I remember really wanting someone's view when I was deciding so I tweaked it a bit. I was thinking about doing a 'day in the life' post, if I can get the time this term and anything else you guys may want to see/know especially if you can't go to offer holder day.

 

[RedLauren]

Yay!!!! I think I’m leaning that way too... have you visited campus? Are you planning on going to any of the accepted student days? I wasn’t going to, but now I feel like if I’m spending all this money on tuition, the cost for this trip isn’t so bad, and I should probably at least see the facilities, right? I’m torn.

I have not visited the campus but I have a lot of family in London and my Aunt used to live in Camden so I am familiar with the neighborhood. I just started working at my current job a few months ago and I’m already taking a lot of time off for interviews so a weekor so to fly to London and back to see the campus would be difficult for me to pull off so I’m not planning on going. But if you have nothing holding you back then yeah you should definitely go!

I still have a few interviews coming up but tuition at those schools is significantly more than RVC. On top of that, because most of my family is in London I have a very cheap (if not free) place to live so that helps offset the expensive cost of living. Aside from the financial aspect the way the school is set up, it’s reputation, and location are all very appealing to me.

I do have a few reservations. Like the younger age demographic, the way exams are set up, and maybe specializing / landing an internship or residency after graduation. But I’m beginning to think that the opportunity to study at the RVC and the international opportunities I’ll encounter after graduating will be worth it.

 

[vetcetera]

I have not visited the campus but I have a lot of family in London and my Aunt used to live in Camden so I am familiar with the neighborhood. I just started working at my current job a few months ago and I’m already taking a lot of time off for interviews so a weekor so to fly to London and back to see the campus would be difficult for me to pull off so I’m not planning on going. But if you have nothing holding you back then yeah you should definitely go!

I still have a few interviews coming up but tuition at those schools is significantly more than RVC. On top of that, because most of my family is in London I have a very cheap (if not free) place to live so that helps offset the expensive cost of living. Aside from the financial aspect the way the school is set up, it’s reputation, and location are all very appealing to me.

I do have a few reservations. Like the younger age demographic, the way exams are set up, and maybe specializing / landing an internship or residency after graduation. But I’m beginning to think that the opportunity to study at the RVC and the international opportunities I’ll encounter after graduating will be worth it.

I hear you- interviews have been rough- I have already used up all my PTO and my budget has long been spent. Luckily the fiscal year ends soon, so my vacation time resets in February... I'm just worried of spending the extra money

I have a lot of the same reservations, I think. A lot of them will be the same at Glasgow (exams, age demographic), but I really liked the (relatively) relaxed vibe I got from Glasgow, the smaller class size, plus- Scotland!!! I might be able to work during the five years to offset cost, living is less expensive... but the reputation of the RVC is a huge draw, especially for residencies or internships in the future, plus London is pretty awesome (though expensive). I have never been good at making decisions like these!!

 

[RedLauren]

I hear you- interviews have been rough- I have already used up all my PTO and my budget has long been spent. Luckily the fiscal year ends soon, so my vacation time resets in February... I'm just worried of spending the extra money

I have a lot of the same reservations, I think. A lot of them will be the same at Glasgow (exams, age demographic), but I really liked the (relatively) relaxed vibe I got from Glasgow, the smaller class size, plus- Scotland!!! I might be able to work during the five years to offset cost, living is less expensive... but the reputation of the RVC is a huge draw, especially for residencies or internships in the future, plus London is pretty awesome (though expensive). I have never been good at making decisions like these!!

You can work at the university for up to 20 hours a week at the RVC as well. And I’ve never been to Scotland but I’m sure it is beautiful.

Well if you do go with London you’ll know at least one person that isn’t a british teenager - I’m 25 (old granny).

 

[LamJams]

Hey guys I am at a dilemma here, I thought I would hear back from RVC by now, and they are my #1 choice, however UoSydney starts next month and I really have to start on my student visa and look for housing there. Any suggestions?

 

[GoldiePaws35]

You can work at the university for up to 20 hours a week at the RVC as well. And I’ve never been to Scotland but I’m sure it is beautiful.

Well if you do go with London you’ll know at least one person that isn’t a british teenager - I’m 25 (old granny).

Long time since I posted on here but... Make that two people. I'll also be 25 starting this coming fall

 

[RedLauren]

Hey, those of you who attend RVC, did you have any problem with financial aid? When I applied for FAFSA the first time I applied for Vet schools I was only eligible for about half of what RVC’s tuition is. Are there other loan options that don’t involve taking out private loans? Thank you in advance for responding!

 

[LabLuv004]

Hey, those of you who attend RVC, did you have any problem with financial aid? When I applied for FAFSA the first time I applied for Vet schools I was only eligible for about half of what RVC’s tuition is. Are there other loan options that don’t involve taking out private loans? Thank you in advance for responding!

The only problem I’ve had is with the dates of disbursement. But that’s more on RVC than the US Federal loans.

When you apply (which you actually can’t do until like April/May-I can’t remember the exact date) you have to check off needing Graduate PLUS loans as well as any Stafford loans. And if you go on RVC’s website you can find the excel spreadsheet for COA. You have to do that and submit it to the school with your paperwork from the US.

USA Student Loans - Funding Options - Fees and Funding - Study - Royal Veterinary College, RVC

Basically the main issue is that the RVC doesn’t have access to FASFA like a normal US school, so you have to send them everything in an email so they can access your application. If you follow all the instructions it shouldn’t be a problem. None of the US students in my year have had an issue.

Side note: they let you get waaaaaayyyyy more than you need so don’t take it all unless you want crazy debt!

 

[corgimom]

Hi all!! I have a question concerning the interview for Edinburgh (which I have this week ). The scientific data intreptation — what does that entail? and also the numerical section —is that dealing with just regular, simple math problems/conversions/word problems. Should I not be too worried about it? I’m just starting to slightly freak out.

 

[vetcetera]

Well if you do go with London you’ll know at least one person that isn’t a british teenager - I’m 25 (old granny).

Long time since I posted on here but... Make that two people. I'll also be 25 starting this coming fall

If you guys are grannies, what does that make me?? I just had a birthday, but I'd rather not admit to which number... ha ha. Good to know that there are some other non-trads at RVC!!