The Student Room Group

RVC or Bristol?

Hi,

I’m struggling to choose between RVC or Bristol for Veterinary. Like the course at RVC better but don’t really like London, and like Bristol more as a city but course isn’t as good. Can anyone help/vote for which one they prefer?
Reply 1
Go for Bristol
Reply 2
Original post by Ellagrace18
Hi,

I’m struggling to choose between RVC or Bristol for Veterinary. Like the course at RVC better but don’t really like London, and like Bristol more as a city but course isn’t as good. Can anyone help/vote for which one they prefer?

You only spend the 1st 2 years based in London before moving to the Hawkshead campus.
Reply 3
It would really depends on how you juggle between the two factors but I personally would defo choose RVC! The course is much more practical and gives you a lot of opportunity and chances to get involve! Might be a little bias as I am from RVC, but I have heard from friends in Bristol that they do not get as much practicals and clinical stuff as we do! Feel free to pm if you got any questions!
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Original post by Ellagrace18
Hi,

I’m struggling to choose between RVC or Bristol for Veterinary. Like the course at RVC better but don’t really like London, and like Bristol more as a city but course isn’t as good. Can anyone help/vote for which one they prefer?


If you are looking for a better uni as a whole, it is bristol cuz its Russel Group.
Original post by emvuilleumier
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If you are looking for a better uni as a whole, it is bristol cuz its Russel Group.

Russell group has no relevance for vet med
Reply 6
Original post by emvuilleumier
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If you are looking for a better uni as a whole, it is bristol cuz its Russel Group.

RVC was ranked No 1 in the world last yr for Veterinary medicine as opposed to 19th for Bristol if you pay any attention to rankings!
Original post by Jmg2170
RVC was ranked No 1 in the world last yr for Veterinary medicine as opposed to 19th for Bristol if you pay any attention to rankings!

hence why i said better university as a whole .... I don't take veterinary medicine so of course I don't pay attention to the rankings.
Reply 8
Original post by Ellagrace18
Hi,

I’m struggling to choose between RVC or Bristol for Veterinary. Like the course at RVC better but don’t really like London, and like Bristol more as a city but course isn’t as good. Can anyone help/vote for which one they prefer?

Hi :smile: I think a vet-specific thread might be helpful to you as then you can get more in-depth opinions from current vet students.
How about looking at this Ask a vet student thread? There's contributors from nearly all the vet schools who will be well placed to help you.
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6458800&p=88778076&page=5#post88778076

I would say pick the vet school where you think you will be happiest. Realistically, rankings don't have much relevance. Russel group or not has none. Either of your options will make you a qualified vet at the end of day, and of the UK vet schools there isn't really a "bad" one. I'm at Notts so I can't really chip in, but I think it should be your decision, not based on anyone else's votes - you're the one going there after all!

Perhaps it's worth informing your decision by asking current students about aspects you are interested in? If you are keen to get hands-on straight away, ask Bristol and RVC vet student show much animal handling and dissections they get to do each week. If you're leaning towards small, large or equine practice when you graduate, ask about the opportunities within each at the two vet schools.

But also think about life outside of the course: ask questions about the practical, day-to-day stuff: where you live and what it's like, whether you are in catered/non-catered accommodation if you have a preference, what opportunities there are to mix with students from other courses, what the nightlife is like (if that's important to you) and especially what sports and societies are available - it is so so important to have interests outside vet med!

I hope this helps and wish you all the best at whichever vet school you decide on. I'm sure you'll have a fab time :smile: xx
Reply 9
In terms of the actual uni, I think you need to decide based on the course and what's right for you. Eg which you prefer based on the individual modules, the assessment criteria, placements etc. If you think the course at RVC is better for you, then I would forget about the area etc as such and go with RVC. Likewise with Bristol. I think it's much more possible to work around the living fees, accommodation and general area etc if the course is perfect for you, than the other way round
You need to choose the one you think you'll be happiest at for the next 5 years. Chances are you'll think you made the right decision once you are there (nearly everyone thinks their vet school is the best). Make a list of pros and cons and go with the one that as I say you think you'll be happiest at. The Bristol course is much better than it used to be so if you are not a fan of living in London then that's probably enough to tip the balance in Bristol's favour.
I was in the exact same position last year! I ended up choosing Bristol because I didn't really feel comfortable living in London for the first 2 years, as that's just not for me really and the whole prospect was very daunting. I am very pleased I chose Bristol, as the city just has a friendly feel to it and it isn't too big in the grand scheme of things, so it didn't feel as scary moving there from a small town. However, I ADORED the Hawkeshead campus when I saw it on RVC open days! In a way, both of the unis are kid of similar, as you have the part city part country aspect, as Bristol also has Langford (which isn't as nice as Hawkeshead, but its still nice!) and they both have specialist teaching hospitals, which is a massive positive in my eyes! Also, another pro of Bristol is that you're not constantly with vets/students doing animal based courses, so you get to meet a much wider range of people. I have also heard that the societies aren't too good at RVC (may be wrong though), but Bristol has pretty much any society you can think of if that's important to you :tongue:

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