Studying veterinary medicine in the UK will equip graduates with the knowledge and ability to assist with the surgical treatment and care of animals.
Veterinary medicine shares much in common with regular medicine programmes, and students will find a significant degree of crossover in terms of modules and topics covered. Courses generally last five years, and once you graduate, you can register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and begin your career.
Learn more about the top 10 UK veterinary medicine schools below (Guardian University Guide 2024). If you wish to begin applying to study veterinary medicine in the UK, arrange a free consultation with SI-UK today.
Top 10 UK Universities for Veterinary Medicine
1. University of Cambridge
Modern facilities in the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital at the University of Cambridge include a five-theatre small animal surgical suite, a fully equipped intensive care unit, an equine surgical suite, and a diagnostic unit with an MRI machine capable of imaging standing horses. Small animals, farm animals, and horses are housed on-site to provide continual opportunities to consolidate your animal handling skills. The nearby University Farm also allows all students to participate in lambing and dairy management.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| VetMB Veterinary Medicine | Bachelor’s | A level: A*AA. IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level. | £67,194 |
| Biological Science (Veterinary Medicine) by thesis | MPhil | A UK High II.i Honours Degree. | £28,483 |
| Veterinary Medicine | PhD | A UK Good II.i Honours Degree. | £56,083 |
2. University of Edinburgh
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh was the highest ranked veterinary school in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework and is currently ranked the second best in the UK by the Guardian University Guide.
Extra-mural studies placements (EMS) allow students to practice their animal handling and clinical skills further, increase their confidence in their work experience and provide valuable insight into the real world of work. The School is fully accredited by the UK’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| VetMB Veterinary Medicine | Bachelor’s | A Levels: AAA. IB: 38 points with 666 at HL. | £37,500 |
| Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare MSc | Master’s | A UK 2:1 honours degree in animal science, biology, psychology, zoology or veterinary science, or its international equivalent. | £24,700 |
| Clinical Veterinary Sciences PhD, MScR | PhD | A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent. | £31,500 |
3. University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool Institute of Veterinary Science has two on-site working farms, two referral hospitals, and three first-opinion practices, enabling undergraduates to gain valuable hands-on experience in all aspects of veterinary practice. In a recent national student survey of universities, the Institute was voted second for veterinary science.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Science BVSc | Bachelor’s | A Levels: AAA. IB: 38 points with 666 at HL. | £42,700 |
| Veterinary Business Management (PgCert (VBM)) | Master’s | An undergraduate degree (FHEQ level 6) in veterinary science. | Year 1 - £1650, Year 2 - £2310 |
| PhD Infection and Global Health | PhD | A minimum of a 2:1 class honours degree in a relevant biological science subject. | £27,800 |
4. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow Veterinary School is one of only four vet schools in Europe to have achieved accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association for its undergraduate programmes. In the National Student Survey, the School of Veterinary Medicine was voted number one in the UK for veterinary science.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine & Surgery BVMS | Bachelor’s | AAAAB Higher at the end of S5 + BB Advanced Higher | £35,175 |
| MSc Advanced Practice in Veterinary Nursing (Online) | Master’s | Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) with a BSc (Hons) or BSc in any subject. | £14,300 |
| PhD Veterinary Nursing | PhD | A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent. | £30,240 |
5. University of Nottingham
The School of Veterinary Science at the University of Nottingham ranked top of the National Student Survey (NSS) since its first graduating cohort in 2011. It ranked 2nd in the UK for research power. In a recent Association of Veterinary Students survey, Nottingham was ranked first for career progression preparation, extra-mural studies structure and student welfare.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine and Surgery BVMBVS with BVMedSci | Bachelor’s | IB score 34, including grade 6 in Higher Level biology and chemistry and grade 5 in a third subject at Higher Level. | £38,400 |
| Veterinary Physiotherapy MSc/PGDip | Master’s | A 2:2 first degree in an animal science or science subject. | MSc: £21,500, PGDip: £17,200 |
| Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD | PhD | A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent. | £41,000 |
6. University of Bristol
The Veterinary School at the University of Bristol offers three undergraduate degrees, one taught Master's programme and has been training veterinary professionals for over 50 years. In the School of Veterinary Sciences, academics are leaders in their field whose research helps inform national policies that can lead to developments within veterinary practice.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BVSc Veterinary Science | Bachelor’s | IB score 34, including grade 6 in Higher Level biology and chemistry and grade 5 in a third subject at Higher Level. | £39,200 |
| MSc Global Wildlife Health and Conservation | Master’s | An upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent), in a biological, veterinary, zoology or environmental science programme. | £30,900 |
| PhD Veterinary Sciences | PhD | An upper second-class degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject. | £26,000 |
7. Royal Veterinary College
The Royal Veterinary College is the UK's first and only veterinary school to achieve full accreditation by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 86% of recent veterinary medicine students found work (or went on to study further) within six months of graduation.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine | Bachelor’s | AAA in three Level subjects: Biology at grade A and Chemistry at grade A. | £44,610 |
| MSc Veterinary Epidemiology | Master’s | A first- or second-class university honours degree (or equivalent). | £30,830 |
8. University of Surrey
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey is the UK's newest veterinary school, opening in 2015. State-of-the-art facilities worth £45m include a Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre, Veterinary Pathology Centre and modern lecture theatres and laboratories. In the National Student Survey, the School achieved 100% student satisfaction and continues to go from strength to strength.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BVMSci (Hons) Veterinary Medicine and Science | Bachelor’s | IB diploma: 35 Required subjects: Biology and Chemistry HL6/SL7. | TBA |
| Veterinary General Practice PGCert | Master’s | Pre-requisite is a veterinary degree. | £5,600 |
| Veterinary Medicine and Science PhD | PhD | A minimum of an upper second-class (2:1) UK degree in an appropriate discipline. | £26,200 |
9. Harper and Keele Veterinary School
The veterinary medicine degree at HKVS is intensive, with 18-35 hours of contact time per week, varying by year. Clinical rotations in years 4 and 5 have the highest contact hours and early years include structured online learning to complement contact hours. The curriculum undergoes ongoing review to enhance the learning experience and prepare students for diverse veterinary careers. Students also fulfil RCVS requirements with extra mural studies, leading to a study year ranging from 35-45 weeks across the five-year programme.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVetMS) | Bachelor’s | IB: 36 points in three Higher Levels, including 6 in Biology or Chemistry and 6 in one other of Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths or Physics. |
10. University of Central Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire's BVMS degree is tailored to meet RCVS requirements and equips students for diverse veterinary roles. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering science, clinical skills, animal behaviour, disease management, and human-animal relationships. From the first year, students gain practical experience through clinical placements. The university supports students with a dedicated well-being program and provides reduced entry requirements for those who have faced academic challenges. Their innovative teaching approach uses digital technologies for interactive learning, replacing traditional lectures.
| Course to consider | Study options | Entry requirements | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BVMS Veterinary Medicine & Surgery | Bachelor’s | A level AAB (two science subjects, plus one other). | £37,000 |
| BSc Hon’s Bioveterinary Sciences | Bachelor’s | IB Diploma: Pass including 120 points from Higher Level Subjects inc two Science. | £25,000 |
| MSc/PGDip Veterinary Physiotherapy & Clinical Rehabilitation | Master’s | Good Honours Degree in Animal Science/Health or a related subject such as Zoology, Bioveterinary Science, etc. |
Veterinary Medicine Scholarships in the UK
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies UK Graduate/International Scholarship: This scholarship offers £5,000 per year to UK Graduate or International students pursuing a BVM&S full-time at the University of Edinburgh.
- RVC International Scholarships for BVetMed: The RVC BVetMed program offers a full fee waiver Merit scholarship to a distinguished international student based on admissions performance, including interview scores, academic history, and application quality.
Study Veterinary Medicine in the UK
If you need further advice about what is required to study veterinary medicine in the UK, arrange a free consultation today. Our international consultants can help you find the right course to study in the UK.
Veterinary Medicine FAQ
The course duration for a veterinary medicine undergraduate degree across the top vet schools in the UK is five to six years.
Yes, a veterinarian is a medical doctor with a degree in veterinary science.
The best veterinary medicine university in the UK is The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
The average cost to study for an undergraduate degree at any veterinary school in the UK is around £32,000 per year.
To secure admission at any vet school in the UK, you must have a solid grasp of maths. Maths play an important role in ensuring appropriate diagnostic testing and medication dosing.
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