Veterinary Medicine

Program Overview

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The RVC Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed) program is a world-renowned, 5-year program that combines a spiral curriculum with extensive clinical experience. It equips graduates with a comprehensive understanding of veterinary sciences and professional skills, preparing them for a wide range of career opportunities in the veterinary field. The program is accredited by prestigious bodies, including RCVS, EAEVE, and AVMA, ensuring the highest quality standards.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Profession-shaping ● Career-making ● World-leading:

The BVetMed program at RVC boasts over 232 years of exceptional veterinary training, equipped with unparalleled clinical facilities. It fosters an outstanding learning environment, preparing graduates to excel and make a significant impact on the veterinary profession.

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Spiral Curriculum:

This innovative approach involves repeated presentations of key concepts throughout the program with increasing complexity and contextual variations. For instance, learning about the kidney begins with its fundamental anatomy and physiology during the pre-clinical phase, followed by exploring its common diseases and treatment strategies in the clinical phase. This knowledge is further enriched by working with real patients presented with kidney issues at RVC's hospitals or other practices during rotations and placements.

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Outline:

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Content:

The program covers a broad range of veterinary sciences, encompassing:

• Preclinical Sciences: Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, and animal husbandry.
• Clinical Sciences: Medicine, surgery, anesthesia, radiology, theriogenology (reproduction), and public health.
• Professional Skills: Communication, teamwork, clinical reasoning, problem solving, ethics, and professionalism.

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Structure:

• 5-year duration divided into pre-clinical (2 years) and clinical phases (3 years).
• Pre-clinical: Focuses on foundational scientific and theoretical knowledge.
• Clinical: Emphasizes practical clinical skills development and application through hands-on experience with animal patients.

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Course Schedule:

• Years 1 and 2: Primarily based at Camden Campus with introductory animal handling and examination across different species, along with communication and teamwork development.
• Years 3, 4, and 5: Focus on clinical science knowledge and practical skills at Hawkshead campus.
This includes participation in clinical practice at RVC hospitals, collaborating practices, and private veterinary practices.

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Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Examinations (written and oral).

• Practical assessments.

• Clinical skills assessments.

• Case-based discussions.

• Portfolio development.

Assessment criteria focus on:

• Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

• Application of knowledge to clinical practice.

• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

• Professionalism and communication skills.

• Clinical skills and competence.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The program employs a diverse range of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Delivered by experienced academics and professionals.
• Practical classes: Hands-on experience with animal models, laboratory work, and clinical skills training.
• Clinical rotations: Practical exposure to various clinical settings.

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Faculty:

The program boasts a renowned faculty with expertise in diverse areas of veterinary science, research, and clinical practice.

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Unique approaches:

• Spiral curriculum: Reinforces key concepts for robust learning.
• Extensive clinical experience: Provides unparalleled hands-on training.
• Collaboration with other practices: Offers a diverse learning environment.
• Focus on professional skills: Equips graduates for real-world practice.

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Careers:

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Career paths:

Graduates have a wide range of career options, including:

• Small animal practice.

• Mixed practice.

• Equine practice.

• Farm/livestock environments.

• Wildlife and conservation.

• Military support.

• Industry research and technical support.

• Government and academia.

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International Opportunities:

Accreditation from the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education allows graduates to register and practice in Europe without requiring further qualifications. Additionally, reciprocal agreements exist with veterinary councils in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa, allowing graduates to practice without further qualifications. The American Veterinary Medical Association also recognizes the program, facilitating employment opportunities in North America after passing the necessary exam and satisfying state-specific requirements.

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Other:

• Accreditation: The program holds accreditations from prestigious bodies like RCVS (UK), EAEVE (EU), and AVMA (USA/Canada), ensuring the highest quality standards.
• Veterinary Medicine Videos: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/bveterinary-medicine/videos
• Careers in Veterinary Medicine: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/bvetmed-your-career