Royal Veterinary College University of London

Royal Veterinary College University of London

The Royal Veterinary College University of London was founded in 1791 and joined the University of London in 1949 by a group led by Granville Penn, a grandson of William Penn, following the foundation of the first veterinary college in Europe in Lyon, France in 1762. It is the UK’s first and largest veterinary school. The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UKs largest and longest established independent veterinary school. The college first acquired royal patronage from King George IV. In 1844 it was awarded a Royal Charter. It is one of the world’s leading specialist institutions of veterinary medicine, biological sciences and veterinary nursing. It is one of only eight in the country where students can study to become a Vet. The RVC has two campuses, one in Camden in central London and the other near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire. RVC is unique amongst veterinary schools in having a wholly-owned innovation centre. The London BioScience Innovation Centre, established in 2001, is home to 50 companies including Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson and Cancer Research Technology (Cancer Research UK). The first of its kind in London, it is the second largest, by number of clients, in the UK. The resident companies host RVC student placements. Access to online learning content and course related materials via the RVC’s own Learn virtual learning environment which holds course notes, lecture recordings and other useful materials. RVC students can apply to work as Student Ambassadors to help support recruitment, outreach and other public engagement events. In 2015, at Institutional level, RVC was ranked 8th of all higher education institutions in the UK for student satisfaction, an achievement not attained by any other HEI with a veterinary school. 51% of academic staff are fellows or senior fellows of the Higher Education Academy, out of a sector average of 24%. The only higher education institute outside Russell group to offer a widening impact summer school for both students and teachers funded by the Sutton Trust. In 2013–14, 51% of RVC academic staff were Fellows or Senior Fellows of the HEA, (sector average 24%). All 4 National Teaching Fellows in veterinary medicine have been nominated while working at the RVC; 3 are current staff members. The Royal Veterinary College is a leading veterinary research centre and research at the College is of international quality. The last Research Assessment Exercise ranked us as Englands best veterinary school, among institutions whose research is exclusively related to veterinary science. The RVC has over 100 research active staff. In 2012 and 2014, RVC was one of only 49 UK institutions to receive the HR Excellence in Research award for career development of research staff including those involved in pedagogical research. Research areas include: Infection and Immunity, Musculoskeletal Biology, Reproduction, Genes and Development, Cardiovascular and Inflammation Biology. RVC was the first UK veterinary school to establish a clinical skills learning laboratory, containing mannequins, simulators and virtual reality devices. Where RVC led, others now follow.
Last Updated on: Jan 21, 2025

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