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Royal Veterinary College
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The Royal Veterinary College is a part of the University of London and has a history dating back to 1791. It specialises in veterinary medicine and related courses and as such is quite a small place with less than 2000 students. It's main Camden Campus is close to central London while an additional rural campus, The Hawkshead Campus, is out at Hatfield in Hertforshire.
Facilities
Libraries
Each campus, Camden and Hawkshead, has its own extensive library, with numerous copies of each book. Some are seven day loans, whilst others that are in high demand are only overnight loans. But fear not, for there are plenty of copies and you also have the opportunity to reserve a book for when it is returned. The book you need not available at Camden's campus? Then you can check its availability at Hawkshead and have it delivered to the Camden site. Camden mainly stocks pre-clinical resources whilst Hawkshead stocks clinical. This is a reflection of what is taught at each campus. Library catalogues are available online to search.
Both libraries also have extensive collections of journals, which come in handy for research projects as well as keeping you up to date with the developing veterinary world. There are also plenty of computers available for use, connected to numerous printers and scanners for your convienience. A photocopier is also available. (for library opening times see section on IT)
If you crave even more resources, then an approximate 45 minute walk from the Camden campus will see you arrive at The British Library. A fantastic place for rare books and journals. Although you are not permitted to take the books out of the reading rooms, you are able to photocopy some pages of less delicate books and obviously make notes from them. Just beware that there are very strict rules regarding The British Library. Nevertheless it is great for finding out information that is not readily available and broadening your knowledge horizons.
There are also several libraries in the area surrounding area. Most notably, Eversholt Street Camden. They just require proof of address to join.
IT and computing
There is no shortage of access to computers at either campus. At Camden, the upper floor of the library has many computers that can be used, all connected to the RVC network. Therefore as soon as you log in you are met with the Blackboard site, the portal to everything you need to know about your course. You will consequently be continuously updated with pertinent information and announcements so you are never left wondering. There is the RVC intranet also, which provides announcements on activities, socials, EMS, classifieds and course information. You are also given your own rvc email account, meaning lecturers, fellow students, SU members and team leaders can contact you with ease. The same goes for you trying to contact someone. There are also numerous printers, both black/white and colour, along with scanners and photocopiers. Not forgetting the extensive list of electronic journals that can be viewed.
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| Established:
| 1791, taking in the first students on January 4 1792
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| Location:
| Consists of two sites: Camden and Hawkshead, UK
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Address:
| Camden:The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, Camden, London, NW1 0TU
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| Telephone:
| Camden: 02074685000
Hawkshead: 01707666333 | |
| Website:
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| SU/Guild website:
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| UCAS Code:
| R84
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| Type:
| Veterinary college
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| | ||
| | ||
| Total students:
| 1,610
| |
| Undergrad:
| 1,215
| |
| Postgrad:
| 395
| |
| Part-time:
| 0
| |
| International:
| 8%
| |
| Mature:
| 13%
| |
| Male:female
| 20:80
| |
| Staff:
| 800
| |
| Typical offers:
| 340-360
| |
| Applicants per place:
| 4
| |
For students residing in College Grove £20 will pay for a years internet access from your accomodation, and your computer will be configured to access the RVC network. Access to the RVC intranet and blackboard is also available from other student accomodation such as Mary Branker House in Kentish Town. If you have any trouble at all with anything IT related there is an excellent IT department that can help solve your woes.
Access to the library computers is as follows:
Monday: 08.30 - 20.00
Tuesday: 08.30 - 18.00
Wedneday: 08.30 - 20.00
Thursday: 08.30 - 20.00
Friday: 08.30 - 18.00
Dirng vacation times the library is open from 09.00 - 17.00. But if you need to use the computers after these times, then 24 hour compuer access is available in 3 other rooms. F25, F26 and F27.
Sports
The College has its own sports teams but you can also join the university of London teams if you want to play at a higher level.
Welfare
We have a very good welfare service at the RVC. There is student support, to finance support, to disability support. Everyone is very helpful, and if you feel they are not being helpful, you can always go ans see someone else. We also have a counselling service that can be used by students. Everything is confidential unless you want your course leader/tutor to know about it, in which case, for example someone from student support can speak to your tutor with or without you present depending on which you prefer.
Healthcare
Shops
Given the location of the Camden campus, shopping here is excellent! 10mins walk from the famous Camden Lock Market, and only a short tube/bus journey away from the delights of Oxford Street.
As Hawkshead is more isolated, the nearest shopping facilities lie in Hatfield or Welwyn Garden City. Although some of the towns around campus offer smaller local shops, in order to get some serious retail therapy a trip is needed!
The college does have an SU shop offering items which are needed for the course, including stethoscopes, clinical equipment and overalls. Most items are ordered in, and there are 'shops' on both campuses.
Restaurants
Banks
There is a RBS, Natwest, Lloyds, Barclays, and a HSBC on Camden High Street (5 mins walk from uni). Some banks have branches in Kentish Town (near Mary B) too.
Transport
Transport to and from the Camden campus is relatively easy, given it's close position to central London and good local buses through Camden High Street. Many students choose to live further out in London (typically around Finsbury Park, Tufnell Park and Kentish Town) and take advantage of the cheap, regular buses to travel to college. Living out also provides a much cheaper option for renting.
The relative isolation of the Hawskhead Campus makes transport a bit more tricky! The nearest station is approximately 20mins stroll from the campus along a footpath. Trains here are every half hour and take around 30mins to get into London. The nearest shops/facilities are around the train station (Brookmans Park) and many clinical students choose to live here also. College currently provide a morning and evening subsidised bus service from Potters Bar and the surrounding areas to the campus. Although an ideal option, parking on campus is not allowed unless a permit it granted - currently only students living on campus or on rotations (fourth year and beyond) are eligible to apply for these. Cycling is a popular option, and the college have taken steps to make the campus a more bike friendly area, however facilities are still far from perfect.
Careers service
The RVC utilises the University of London's careers service. The majority of students at the RVC enter with a specific career in mind, but for those who wish to consider research careers or paths allied with veterinary medicine specific advice is available from tutors and lecturers already working in those areas.
Part-time jobs
For those of us (myself included) who couldn't afford to study in London, the good news is that there are plenty of jobs available. The bad news is that it can be difficult to juggle a job, a social life and keep on top of the workload. Especially in the Camden area there is plenty of pub/bar work, and there are bar jobs available at the ULUnion bar as well. There are plenty of local shops etc, but the real beauty of the Camden campus is it's links to the rest of London.
Whilst at Hawkshead local jobs are harder to come by, with many people simply keeping the weekend jobs they had whilst at Camden and commuting back in at the weekend.
Getting a job in a vets, although seemingly idea, is a very difficult thing to achieve given the sheer number of other suitable qualified people in the exact same area of London as you!
Religous facilities
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Social
The social side of the uni is fantastic and there are regular events organised for us I think this is where we have an advantage as for things like our freshers week and RAG week it just caters for a smaller group of people so it is easier to get involved than at a bigger university.
Bars, pubs and clubs
At the Camden Campus, the high street offers a wide range of pubs and clubs. One of the most popular 'off the beaten track' pubs (although commonly used for Fresher's events) is called The Constitution. Sitting on the banks of Camden Canal just off Royal College Street The Con offers good food and cheap drinks. There is a really nice beer garden which can be very popular in the summer months. The pub is also very dog friendly, and the owners own dog, as well as the college greyhounds, can often be found lounging in the bar area!
Hawkshead campus offers the college's own bar. The Buttery is a small, but very friendly bar with cheap prices (£1.50 for double and mixer if memory serves!). It is run by students, and is often the host for sports club socials, quiz nights and impromptu post exam parties. Opening hours reflect the fact that students here are a very busy bunch, and is typically just open in the evenings/weekends.
Events
Clubs and societies
Accommodation
Accommodation policy
Facilities
Residences
Private sector
Student union
Prices
Environment
Architecture
Local area
Teaching quality
Applying to RVC
Thinking of applying to Royal Veterinary College? Why not read some Personal Statements which were used for applying here?
Other RVC Articles
Why not read these other Royal Veterinary College Articles?
