All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2020 entry.
| UK entry requirements |
| A level |
AAB
Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.
|
| Required subjects |
A levels
Grades AAB in any subjects at A level (to include, at most, only one of biology and chemistry and excluding citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies and global perspectives).
GCSEs
Minimum of five GCSEs at grade 7 (A), minimum of grade 6 (B) in chemistry (or double science, or core science, additional science and further additional science), English language and maths.
Work Experience
We require a minimum of four weeks animal-related work experience before you apply. |
| IB score |
34 (6, 6, 5, to include, at most, one of biology or chemistry at Higher Level) |
| International entry requirements |
| IB score |
34 (6, 6, 5, to include, at most, one of biology or chemistry at Higher Level) |
| IELTS |
7.5 (no less than 7.0 in any element) |
| High school qualifications |
Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country |
| A level |
AAB |
| Required subjects |
A levels
Grades AAB in any subjects at A level (to include, at most, only one of biology and chemistry and excluding citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies and global perspectives).
GCSEs
Minimum of five GCSEs at grade 7 (A), minimum of grade 6 (B) in chemistry (or double science, or core science, additional science and further additional science), English language and maths.
Work Experience
We require a minimum of four weeks animal-related work experience before you apply. |
English language requirements
As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.
For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
Visa restrictions
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period
where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying
full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time
courses. The Standard Visitor visa
route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and
Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
Alternative qualifications
We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.
Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:
- Access to HE Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
- BTEC HND/HNC
- BTEC Extended Diploma
This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.
Contextual offers
We recognise the potential of talented students from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement at school or college. These offers are usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
A levels and GCSEs
A levels
Any subjects at A and AS level (to include, at most, only one of biology and chemistry and excluding citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies and global perspectives).
GCSEs
Minimum of five GCSEs at grade 7 (A), minimum of grade 6 (B) in chemistry (or double science, or core science, additional science and further additional science), English language and maths.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.5 (no less than 7.0 in any element)
GCSE/O level English language – minimum grade 6 (B)
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English – minimum grade B
Fluency and competence in English are essential for these courses and will also be assessed first-hand at interview.
For details of other English language tests and qualifications we accept, please see our entry requirements page.
Alternative qualifications
Access course
We will consider applicants who have undertaken access courses on an individual basis. 60 credits overall with 45 at level 3, of which 30 credits must be distinction. Minimum of grade 6 (B) in maths and English language GCSE.
Degree
At least 2:1 in a non animal-, biology- or chemistry-related subject with supporting A level qualifications of BB (to include, at most, only one of biology and chemistry and excluding citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies and global perspectives) and GCSE Grade B (6) in English language and maths.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Minimum grades of AAABB at Higher level to include, at most, grade As in only one of biology and chemistry (for pre 2017 grading) or H1 in biology and chemistry and H3 in the third subject (for post 2017 grading); minimum of five grade As at Irish Junior Certificate to include all sciences, minimum of grade B in chemistry, maths and English language.
Scottish Advanced Highers
Minimum grades of AA (to include, at most, only one of biology and chemistry); minimum of grades AABBB at Higher level (biology and chemistry cannot both be taken at Higher level); minimum of five grade As at National 5s, minimum of grade B in chemistry, maths and English language.
Vocational qualifications
DDD at BTEC National Extended Diploma (subjects considered on an individual basis), with supporting GCSE qualifications as above.
Distinction at Higher National Diploma/ Higher National Certificate (subjects considered on an individual basis) with supporting level two and three qualifications as above.
City and Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080) D grade required (subjects considered on an individual basis), with supporting GCSE qualifications as above.
Other qualifications
For advice on academic profiles not covered, please contact us directly. International qualifications will be considered on an individual basis but will need to be equivalent to our A2 level and GCSE requirements.
Registered Veterinary Nurses can apply with RVN qualification and a minimum of grade 6 (B) in English and maths GCSE.
For a full list of entry requirements terms, conditions and the admissions process please visit the school website.
Work experience
Four weeks animal handling work experience from the broadest range possible is required, before you apply. We expect you to have some experience in one or more veterinary practices with small and large animals. Work experience can be done over varying hours/days. Five days of work experience equals one week.
Work experience is aimed at increasing your awareness of the role of the veterinary professional, rather than gaining specific skills or knowledge. Although many of our applicants have significantly more than four weeks experience, the important thing is the quality of your reflection and understanding, rather than just the amount covered.
We do not take applicants on for work experience on site. You should try to include some time spent on equine, lambing, dairy and small animal work. A range of settings, as well as types of animals is also useful.
It could include days at:
- catteries
- farms
- kennels
- laboratories
- rescue centres
- riding schools
- zoos
A wide range of other opportunities may also count, please contact us if you have any queries. All work experience should be completed by the 15 October application deadline. Work experience booked after this date will not be taken into consideration.
Flexible admissions policy
In recognition of our applicants’ varied experience and educational pathways, the University of Nottingham employs a flexible admissions policy. We may make some applicants an offer lower than advertised, depending on their personal and educational circumstances. Please see the University’s admissions policies and procedures for more information.
Students with disabilities
The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 requires that veterinary surgeons are able to give at least basic and emergency treatment to all common domestic species. Students with any disability should contact this school for advice before applying.
Mature Students
At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.