Introducing our charity the...

Animal Care Trust

Find out how the Animal Care Trust (ACT) supports RVC students just like you.

The ACT fundraises for specialist equipment and facilities for the RVC's hospitals. Chances are when you're learning, you're using equipment funded by our incredible supporters.

We also fund summer internships and support Student Union Clubs and Societies. Plus we manage an EMS+ Award scheme to help students with the cost of their placements.

For over 30 years the ACT have been improving animal health and care, through clinical practice, education, research. The ACT are here for you! Find out how...

Chrissy celebrates running the virtual London Marathon for the ACT

What equipment has the ACT funded?

We can't possibily list them all! But here's a few examples...

Teaching Models:

Calving simulators called Pint and Half Pint
Piglet simulators called Castro and Weaney
Equine rescue mannequin, called Muffin

At the Small Animal Referral Hospital, in Hawkshead:

CT scanner
Neurology diagnostics machine
Ophthalmology microscope

At Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in Camden:

Radiosurgical unit and surgical loupes
Ultrasound scanner
Ventilator for exotic pets

Supporting Clubs and Societies

Apply for match funding from the ACT, so whether you're raising money for a new sports kit or your favourite charity, you can make your fundraising go further by doubling the amount you've raised.

ACT Scholarships

Our scholarships are generously funded by gifts in wills. Offering recipients £5,000 per academic year, they enable promising, passionate and dedicated students to overcome financial barriers and reach their full potential.

'Receiving the RVC Linkou Scholarship has had a profound impact on my studies. It's alleviated some of the financial stress of managing a household as a single parent whilst studying as a mature student.'
BVetMed student

The ACT scholarships available to apply for are:

The Linkou Scholarship - for veterinary students
The Catt Scholarship - for veterinary nursing students
The Rufus of Ruskinmere Sciences Scholarship - for bioscience students

Find out more about ACT Scholarships

EMS+ Award Scheme

Successful veterinary applicants may receive between £500 - £1000 to help cover the costs of their aspirational placement.

EMS placements can change the course of your career. Giving you the chance to experience veterinary medicine in a field that matters to you, they provide enriching, career informing opportunities. We understand that experiences like this can come at a cost which is why, together with the RVC Alumni Fund, we offer funding.

The funding not only allowed the placement to go ahead on a logistical level but also made me feel encouraged and supported in my interest in this field. I would like to express how grateful I am.'
An-Chi Cheng, BVetMed student

We've supported aspirational placements in equine, exotics, farm, wildlife and research, at home and abroad! If you're a BVetMed student, when you're in your 3rd, 4th and 5th year you can apply.

'It is great to know that with the help of the RVC Alumni Fund and the Animal Care Trust, amazing opportunities aren't out of your reach. Money plays an important role in the everyday life of a student but with the financial support of these grants it doesn't have to influence and limit my education.'
Elizabeth Hall, BVetMed Graduate, 2022

Find out more about the EMS+ Award Scheme

An-Chi Cheng, EMS+ Award recipient. Placement at Falgory Ocean Park in Taiwan

Sanna Eriksson Titus, EMS+ Award recipient. Placement at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, London

Fundraise for the ACT

Take part in challenges, wherever you are!

ACT's Mark running the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2022

Christina, from our 2022 London Marathon team, accidentally joins the race!

Join our 2023 London Landmarks Half Marathon Team!

Do you fancy a challenge? Would you like to meet new people and discover London in an iconic way? Would you like to fundraise for the ACT?

For the first time ever, we have secured 5 spots at the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd April 2023. We would love new RVC students to join our team.

This is a truly unmissable run, taking in 15 key landmarks of this amazing city, from Big Ben to Tower Bridge, the London Eye to St Paul's Cathedral....the list goes on! If you’ve just arrived in London, what better way to get to know the city? With over 350 cheer stations across the route there'll be an incredible atmosphere to see you to the finish line!

When you fundraise for the ACT you enable us to:

invest in hospital equipment and facilities
fund ground-breaking research into animal and human health
support YOU, our veterinarians, veterinary nurses and scientists of the future.

What's my fundraising target?

You’ll need to raise a minimum of £500 in sponsorship for the ACT (that’s just £20 from 25 friends and family- easy!)

How do I apply?

Whether this is your first challenge or you’re a seasoned runner, we'll be with you every step of the way. To apply for a place on Team ACT you’ll need to complete an application form and email it to act@rvc.ac.uk If successful, we’ll ask for a non-refundable registration fee of £35 to help cover our costs.

“You will never regret that you did it and it will be one of the best things you will ever do! Thank you for giving us this opportunity and for supporting us throughout. We hope we get to work with you again one day, just as soon as we've recovered from this one!!'
Andy and Kim, Team ACT London Marathon 2021