Did you know, our Veterinary Medicine and Surgery course has two start dates – one in September and one in April?
We welcome 150 students in September, then another 150 students the following April. Whenever you start, your course is identical in terms of teaching and structure, it’s just the term dates that are different.
Why have two start dates?
This is a really popular course, so having two intakes helps us maintain good staff to student ratios, increasing practical hands-on learning. It also helps us get to know you better!
Getting to know our students and welcoming you to our community is something that's really important to us. That's why we've ranked top of the National Student Survey (NSS) for overall student satisfaction since our first graduating class in 2011.
What are the benefits of starting in April?
Less competition for placements - you’ll be booking your extra-mural studies (EMS) outside of the times that all the other vet students in the country will be doing theirs.
You get a break between finishing A levels and starting university - this allows time to travel, work and earn more money, or do some work experience to build your knowledge.
You’ll be learning in the lighter, summer months - students sometimes like to meet for BBQs after a day’s teaching!
Accommodation is guaranteed for first years - this applies regardless of when you start your course.
You have the same opportunities to join clubs and societies - there are many sports clubs on Sutton Bonington and you are welcome to join teams based on University Park, too.
Can I choose when to start?
In the post-application communications from us, after you have applied through UCAS, you can select your preferred start date of September or April.
If one intake is oversubscribed, allocation to the other one will be random after certain set criteria are met (elite athletes, army funding and extenuating circumstances).
I have a conditional offer but would like to swap to the other intake. Is this possible?
You can request to be reconsidered for the other start date. Please provide as much reasoning as possible, with any supporting evidence.
We will monitor the uptake of offers and review numbers to move you to the other group should you choose us as your firm or insurance choice, but this may not be possible. We have up until A level results day to consider your request.
How does finance work if I start in April?
You can apply to the Students Loans Company as usual. Payments are made to students three times per academic year. We anticipate payments will be made in September, January and March for the September intake, and April, July and October for the April intake.
Please use the course code DA10 when applying for finance for the April start date.
If I apply for the six-year course how does this affect me?
Our six-year preliminary and gateway courses only have a single intake in September. You will be expected to progress to year one in the following September intake.
Find out more about how our preliminary and gateway courses work.
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