Published: 06 Apr 2022 | Last Updated: 06 Apr 2022 11:00:23

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has maintained its position at the top of the QS World University Subject Rankings 2022. This is the third time the RVC has ranked first in the last four years.

Compiled by global higher education analysts, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the rankings provide authoritative comparative analysis on 14.7 million unique papers, taken by students at 1,543 universities in 161 locations around the world. The analysis encompasses 51 academic disciplines and five broad subject areas. The rankings are determined by a range of criteria, including Academic Reputation, Research Impact, number of Citations, Employer Reputation and the H-index which ranks the impact and quality of the work published by the institution’s scientists and academics.

The RVC maintained its perfect score of 100 for Academic Reputation for a third year running. It also saw an improved Citations metric which rose to a complete score of 100, recognising the significant reach of the RVC’s research. The institution’s score for Employer reputation has more than doubled over the past seven years, with this year’s result reaching a commendable 80. 

Professor Stuart Reid CBE, President and Principal of the RVC said: 

“I am delighted with this outcome, most especially because the QS rankings reflect recognition by our peers. Here in the UK and internationally, veterinary science is competitive and collaborative, a mix that delivers high standards and to which the RVC contributes. To be judged first amongst equals is an honour to which we aspire and, once again, value greatly.”

The RVC offers internationally recognised degrees in veterinary medicine and nursing at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Currently, the institution has 1,501 students (both UK and international) on its Veterinary Medicine pathways, including its BVSC at Aberystwyth University, and 198 students on its Veterinary Nursing pathways, including its new Graduate Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Medicine.

The RVC also has a well-established suite of biological sciences courses, which are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB). The specific research led focus of the MSci programmes, and the added value of the Certificate in Work Based Learning is recognised with Advanced Accreditation by the RSB. 

All these programmes complement the institution’s veterinary remit and are underpinned by an intensive research portfolio which has been judged internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.

The full set of rankings can be found at: www.topuniversities.com

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries, please contact:

• Jasmin De Vivo jasmin.devivo@plmr.co.uk or rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with reciprocal recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and the AVMA in the USA and Canada.
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2022. 
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences.  
• A research led institution with 79% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.