In the United Kingdom, the landscape of higher education encompasses a diverse array of institutions, each offering unique programs and opportunities. Among them stands the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), renowned as the UK's largest and most established independent veterinary school. As a proud Member Institution of the esteemed University of London, the RVC holds a prestigious position within the academic realm. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest independent veterinary school. It has been rated the number one university in London by The Student Crowd and is currently rated as the No.1 Vet School in the world by QS World Rankings.
The RVC has been a profession-leading organization throughout its history. In the 19th century, John McFadyean, Professor of Pathology and Bacteriology and later Principal of the Royal Veterinary College, commercially produced proteins to treat tuberculosis. In cardiothoracic medicine, the first open-heart surgery performed in 2005 was by RVC surgeons.
In 2014 teams of vets and nurses working together at the RVC were the first to effectively cure a canine patient with New Forest Syndrome – a disease which had previously always proved fatal. In 2016, the RVC became the first veterinary service in the world to successfully treat a dog’s stenotic (narrowed) tricuspid valve with open-heart surgery.
The RVC is dedicated to encouraging curiosity-driven research that contributes to global knowledge and advancements that benefit the lives of humans and animals. Its scientific and clinical researchers are among leaders in the fields of One Health, antimicrobial resistance, virology, and zoonotic disease. The breadth and depth of research excellence at the RVC was recognized in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results by rating 88 percent of work as world-leading (4) or internationally excellent (3).
As a vibrant community, in pursuing a mission to educate, undertake research, and provide clinical care, the RVC is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse and welcoming community, where students and staff work together to ensure professionalism, mutual respect, and collegiality are at the core of all activities. The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Nursing and Biological Science.