I want to be a vet

walks of life

These days, veterinary surgery is one of the most popular career choices for young people. This section will provide you with all the basic information you will need regarding admission to university, work experience you will need to obtain, reading lists and contact details for the UK veterinary schools.

A digital brochure under the theme 'Veterinary Science... for all walks of life', is available to download from our publication library, which includes case studies of vets working in a range of roles.

For details on how to become a veterinary surgeon, please click on the relevant links below:

The veterinary profession

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the governing body of the profession in the United Kingdom.

Under the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, with certain minor exceptions, only a registered veterinary surgeon is permitted to diagnose and treat the injuries and ailments of animals.

To train to be a veterinary surgeon you will need to go to university and take a veterinary degree.

The universities in the UK offering veterinary degrees approved by the RCVS are Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London (the Royal Veterinary College), Nottingham and Surrey.

Harper and Keele Veterinary School has also recently opened, and the University of Central Lancashire will also be taking veterinary students from September 2023. These schools' veterinary degrees are not currently approved, however, the schools and the RCVS are working closely together to ensure that the new degree meets RCVS requirements and that graduates will be eligible for registration.

The degree courses are five years in length (six years at some schools).

There are also a number of overseas degrees which are approved by RCVS: in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Graduates from North American veterinary schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association can also apply to become members of the RCVS.

Graduates from European EAEVE-approved or accredited veterinary schools may apply to register with the RCVS, providing the school was approved or accredited at the time the degree was gained.

Information on European veterinary schools can also be found on the EAEVE (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education) website.

Work in the veterinary profession is highly rewarding, but also very demanding. Every veterinary surgeon has an obligation to deal with emergencies in any species at any time.

Anyone contemplating a career in veterinary practice should remember that it is a 24-hour service, 365 days a year.

Career opportunities

The veterinary profession, though numerically small (there are over 20,000 RCVS members in total), has varied and important duties to safeguard the health and welfare of animals and public health.

There are career opportunities in a number of areas including:

General Practice

The veterinary surgeon is responsible for the prevention of disease and for the medical and surgical treatment of animals including household pets, zoo animals, farm animals and horses. Opportunities exist in practices that specialise in small animals, food producing animals, equine work or in mixed practices dealing with both small and large animals. Many veterinary surgeons working in practice choose to further their knowledge by studying for additional qualifications, such as the Certificates and Diplomas offered by the RCVS, and it is a requirement of RCVS that all veterinary surgeons keep their skills and knowledge up to date throughout their careers.

Veterinary teaching and research

Veterinary researchers play a vital role in advancing our understanding of diseases. Research in veterinary sciences enhances the health, welfare and usefulness of both food producing and companion animals. It safeguards the public from diseases spread from animals in food and by other means. By comparative investigations, it helps us understand and manage human disease, for example in cancer, genetics, reproduction and infections.

Research is undertaken at the university veterinary schools and at research institutes, departments financed by Government, in laboratories and by private enterprise. Many careers in research span the interface between human and veterinary medicine. If you would like to read more about veterinary research, please take a look at the research section on our website for veterinary professionals.

Government service

Many opportunities exist within the public sector. Veterinary surgeons are involved in protecting public health in government departments and agencies such as the State Veterinary Service, the Food Standards Agency, the Meat Hygiene Service, the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) employs vets to monitor animal health and to prevent the spread of diseases.

Other opportunities

Other opportunities exist in commerce and industry such as in pharmaceutical companies, in international and overseas organisations and consultancies and charities such as the RSPCA and PDSA. The veterinarian's broad scientific training is also of value in areas such as wildlife and environmental conservation.

University entrance requirements

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons can only give general advice on university entrance requirements as there may be some slight variations between the different veterinary schools. You must check the requirements very carefully in the individual university prospectuses. Prospectuses can be obtained free of charge direct from the universities, or can be viewed on their websites. See University Veterinary Schools - Contacts. You can also see an overview of the qualifications accepted for entry in our detailed entrance requirements in the 'Related documents' box, which has been compiled by the seven veterinary schools.

In general terms, the entry requirements of the university veterinary schools are as follows:

A Levels

Biology must usually be offered at A level. The requirement for other subjects varies a little from university to university, but either one or two subjects from Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics should be offered. Some universities may accept a third A level in a non-science subject, but it must be an academically sound subject. The minimum grades generally expected are two A's and a B, though some schools will require three grade A's.

AS Levels

Some universities accept AS levels, but precise requirements can vary. Sometimes, 2 AS levels will be accepted in lieu of 1 A level, except in Chemistry where a full A level is usually required.

Scottish Highers

Chemistry must be offered and generally two subjects from Biology, Physics or Mathematics. The grades generally expected are AAABB.

Scottish Advanced Highers

Applicants are normally advised to proceed to the Sixth Year and include Chemistry and Biology or Physics in their subjects.

GCSE

You must meet the general entrance requirements of the university. Most universities require you to have at least a grade C pass in English Language, Mathematics and Science, and many will expect A grades at GCSE. Where A level Biology or Physics is not offered, you must have a good pass in that subject at GCSE level.

In England, numerical GCSE grades are starting to replace letter GCSE grades. Universities will align the two grading schemes and set out their requirements for letter and numerical grades. For example, Bristol and the RVC state that their current requirement for grade A will be 7 under the new scheme and B grade and grade 6 are equivalent.

Vocational qualifications

Some universities will consider applicants with relevant vocational qualifications, such as the BTEC Diploma in Animal Science, with distinction grades.

Alternative routes

If you have not managed to get the correct grades or have not chosen the correct subjects, there are still options available for getting into a veterinary degree course. Some of the schools offer a 6 year course which is aimed at those students who do not have the required scientific qualifications. This extra year will focus on the types of subjects that most students will study at A level, and this will prepare the student for the 5 year degree. If you do not have the expected subjects/grades you are advised to speak to the admissions departments at the relevant universities.

Work experience

All of the university veterinary schools require applicants to show evidence of their interest and commitment by having gained experience of working in a veterinary practice and working with and handling animals including livestock. However, practical experience is not a substitute for academic qualifications.

Applying to university

All applications for places on veterinary degree courses at UK universities must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Applications must be received by UCAS by 15 October in the year before admission. For further information visit the UCAS website.

Students with disabilities

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 requires veterinary surgeons to be able to give at least basic and emergency treatment to all common domestic species.

The RCVS sets and monitors standards of veterinary degree courses in the UK, but it is the veterinary schools that are responsible for selecting the students they admit to their courses.

If you are considering applying for a place at veterinary school and you have a disability that you think might affect what you are able to do, you are strongly encouraged to discuss this with the veterinary schools to which you intend to apply, so that they can discuss your particular requirements with you.

Mature students and graduates

To gain admission to a veterinary degree course mature students without a degree should hold good GCSE and 'A' level examination passes in subjects including chemistry, biology and physics/mathematics, or be able to produce evidence of knowledge to this standard in comparable examinations.

Graduate applicants would normally be expected to hold at least an upper second class honours degree in a related subject. With a relevant science degree, you may be able to complete the veterinary degree in 4 years, rather than 5 – consult the prospectuses of each of the veterinary schools to see what options may be available to you. Graduate entrants do not qualify for UK student loans to cover the tuition fees, although student loans to cover maintenance costs may be available.

Graduates and mature students may need to discuss their own particular qualifications and experience with the veterinary schools' admissions tutors.

Financing veterinary studies

Applicants should be aware that owing to the requirements of the course, veterinary students are generally unable to use their vacations to earn money. General information on financial support for students is available from the Directgov website. There is also a student loan calculator on this website to help work out your average monthly repayments.

Applicants who already hold a degree should make enquiries about financing their studies before entering into any commitment. Veterinary degrees are some of the most expensive courses to fund. There are no recognised sources of grants for UK students taking a second 'first degree' in veterinary science or any other subject and, unfortunately, the RCVS does not have any funds which it can offer to undergraduate veterinary students.

There is information regarding the changes to student fees in 2012 on the Money Saving Expert website.

UK veterinary school contacts

Bristol

Veterinary Admissions Clerk
University of Bristol, Senate House
Bristol, BS8 1TH
Tel: 0117 928 9000

Cambridge

The Department Secretary
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine
University of Cambridge, Madingley Road
Cambridge, CB2 0ES
Tel: 01223 337600

The Cambridge Intercollegiate Applications Office
Kellet Lodge, Tennis Court Road
Cambridge, CB2 1QJ
Tel: 01223 333308

Veterinary careers

I want to be a vet

The veterinary profession

Career opportunities

General Practice

Veterinary teaching and research

Government service

Other opportunities

University entrance requirements

A Levels

AS Levels

Scottish Highers

Scottish Advanced Highers

GCSE

Vocational qualifications

Alternative routes

Work experience

Applying to university

Students with disabilities

Mature students and graduates

Financing veterinary studies

Further reading

UK veterinary school contacts

Bristol

Cambridge

University of Central Lancashire

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Harper-Keele

Liverpool

London

Nottingham

Surrey

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I want to be a vet

The veterinary profession

Career opportunities

General Practice

Veterinary teaching and research

Government service

Other opportunities

University entrance requirements

A Levels

AS Levels

Scottish Highers

Scottish Advanced Highers

GCSE

Vocational qualifications

Alternative routes

Work experience

Applying to university

Students with disabilities

Mature students and graduates

Financing veterinary studies

Further reading

UK veterinary school contacts

Related documents

Related links

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