Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

Our exciting Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVMS) degree has been developed to meet RCVS requirements. The BVMS course prepares you for a variety of veterinary careers.

This is a collaborative and professional programme focused on training you to become a veterinary surgeon. During the course, you'll gain the skills to prevent and treat animal health and welfare problems.

Veterinary medicine is a multi-disciplinary subject incorporating:

• Science

• Clinical skills

• Animal behaviour and welfare

• Disease management and epidemiology

• Human-animal relationships

Why study with us

• Our BVMS vet degree provides you with a modern education in this exciting discipline.

• You'll enjoy clinical integration throughout your veterinary medicine degree.

• Opportunities to develop your skills in a range of clinical and non-clinical careers.

BVMS Facilities
You’ll have access to a wide range of animal handling, husbandry and clinical facilities. We work in partnership with Myerscough College & University Centre as well as local and regional organisations.

Future career as a Veterinary Surgeon
Graduates of the BVMS course will be able to work as UK registered veterinary surgeons. Subject to successful licensing by the RCVS.

The veterinary medicine and surgery degree will also prepare you for a range of science and research careers. As well as the opportunity for further academic study.

This is a field with excellent career prospects. With >99% of veterinary graduates entering employment or further academic study according to Higher Education Graduate Outcomes Statistics.

Our competency-based programmes aim to ease your transition into the working world. We'll ensure you're ready with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a range of veterinary clinical and science-based careers.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) quality assures veterinary degrees at UK vet schools by means of specific accreditation standards. Graduates from accredited schools join the RCVS Register as members. Allowing them to practise veterinary surgery in the UK.

The University of Central Lancashire and the RCVS are working together to ensure that the new degree meets these standards. And that graduates will be eligible for registration. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, veterinary degrees must have a “recognition order” from the Privy Council before graduates can automatically be eligible for registration with the RCVS.

The Privy Council will take advice from the RCVS on this. The process takes a number of years. Full approval cannot be considered until the RCVS undertakes a formal inspection of the full course and its standards in 2028. This is when the first cohort of students will have completed their degrees.

Until that time, the School is liaising regularly with the RCVS to ensure that progress towards accreditation is maintained.

Should any unforeseen issues arise, the Veterinary Surgeons Act includes a provision to help ensure that those completing their final exams in an as-yet-unapproved degree may still be allowed to register. In that, the Privy Council may invite the RCVS to set examinations for any students attending a non-approved UK veterinary degree course. Or alternatively, appoint RCVS External Examiners to oversee the standard of the final year examinations. Students who pass the RCVS-controlled examinations would then be able to register with the RCVS and practise as veterinary surgeons in the UK. Regardless of the outcome of the degree’s accreditation process. This is in line with the arrangements for any new veterinary degree programmes.

Please visit The University of Central Lancashire’s website for the latest information about our modules.