Which Vet School Should I Choose? Bristol, RVC, Glasgow, or Liverpool?

Hi everyone,
Im from the US and I’m fortunate enough to have some options for vet school and could really use some advice. I’ve been accepted to:
• Bristol (4-year program)
• RVC (4-year program, starting Fall 2026)
• Glasgow
• Liverpool
All schools are AVMA accredited, so they’d qualify me to take the NAVLE. I know RVC is ranked #1 in the world and has a long history, but the later start date means I’d have an extra year to wait. Bristol starts sooner and have heard their NAVLE rate went up, which is something I’m considering.
I’m trying to weigh the pros and cons of each, reputation, support for NAVLE prep, clinical rotations, and overall student experience.
Does anyone have experience at these schools or advice on what factors I should prioritize? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

stay away from rvc

Hi everyone,

Im from the US and I’m fortunate enough to have some options for vet school and could really use some advice. I’ve been accepted to:
• Bristol (4-year program)
• RVC (4-year program, starting Fall 2026)
• Glasgow
• Liverpool

All schools are AVMA accredited, so they’d qualify me to take the NAVLE. I know RVC is ranked #1 in the world and has a long history, but the later start date means I’d have an extra year to wait. Bristol starts sooner and have heard their NAVLE rate went up, which is something I’m considering.

I’m trying to weigh the pros and cons of each, reputation, support for NAVLE prep, clinical rotations, and overall student experience.

Does anyone have experience at these schools or advice on what factors I should prioritize? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

I wouldn’t worry too much about rankings, it’s a big of a weird system and doesn’t reflect the vet school really. Bristol do have a really good NAVLE program (slightly biased as I am a current student but it’s one of the reasons I picked it).
The Bristol NAVLE prep is run by an American vet so he’s been through the process and is an all round great guy! It’s taken very seriously and I think it’s vet prep they use? In order to hold AVMA accreditation you also have to have a certain percentage of pass rate for the NAVLE (on a side note due to this glasgow are very close to losing their AVMA because their NAVLE pass rate is so low.. this came from a current glasgow vet student😅). Liverpool have only just got their accreditation so it’s hard to say!
Reputation isn’t really a thing here for vet schools especially the ones you are listing they are all old well known ones who have established themselves.
Clinical rotations again they all have their own hospitals and have very established programs so they know what they are doing! Student experience will vary based on what you want, all very different cities with London being the most different being such a large built up city whereas the other 3 go more for the ‘old pretty’ vibe.
Cost of living is another factor, London and Bristol will be most expensive with Liverpool prob being cheapest.
Lots of considerations!!
Edit I’ve just found a supporting document for the Glasgow NAVLE situation so I’m not accused of spreading rumours..
https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/Glasgow-deficiencies-0324.pdf