When it comes to a career in the veterinary profession, we expect that most people will have dreamed about it from a young age. They had a passion while they were at school, chose the appropriate A-Levels, completed a veterinary science degree and then started out on their career path.
However, some people might not consider becoming a vet until later in life. A career change can be really refreshing, and what better career to choose than one where you’re caring for animals on a daily basis?
In this blog, we take a look at some tips for those wanting to become a vet later in their life, including the process you need to take and things to consider before making this important decision. It’s important to bear in mind that becoming a vet is very competitive and challenging, but if you believe you’ve got the potential, it’s worth reading more!
The process for becoming a vet in the UK
The first step in the process is having the relevant A-Level (or equivalent) qualifications so that you can apply to be a mature student on a veterinary science course. You may have already achieved these at school or, if not, there will be opportunities for you to study for and sit these exams at a local college.
UK universities that offer veterinary science will have a number of places available to mature students as they wish to show diversity in their intake. However, their entry requirements are very high and require academic rigor; most courses will accept a minimum of AAB at A-Level, with an average offer of AAA.
If you already meet these requirements, or you believe you have the potential to, this next step is to gain some relevant work experience while you are studying. You can find work experience at veterinary practices, farms, stables and more – anywhere that involves caring for animals.
Once you have the experience and the relevant qualifications, you can try applying to veterinary science courses in the UK. Only 9 universities in the UK offer veterinary medicine, which does make it a competitive course!
The application typically involves the usual application through UCAS including a personal statement relating to why you want to study on the course, an admissions examination and an interview. Then, it’s simply a process of waiting to see if you’ve been successful! If you don’t get any offers the first time around, universities welcome previous applications so you can always try again.
The veterinary medicine course itself is usually 5 or 6 years and involves both academic and practical applications of knowledge. Once you graduate, you will need to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Related article: How Long Does it Take to Become a Vet?
Things to consider before making your decision
Costs of studying
First of all, it’s important to be aware of the financial implications of studying to become a vet. The veterinary profession does offer excellent salary opportunities, but you will need to spend money on education in order to get there.
You will need to pay to sit your A-Level exams and the university tuition fees are also a large cost to consider. You might be eligible for a loan or even a grant, so make sure to do your research into funding options for university.
Academic demands
If you are already considering becoming a vet, you likely have the dedication needed to complete all the relevant exams and studies. It’s important to realise that you will need to commit a lot of time and energy to your studies in order to be successful in gaining a place on a veterinary medicine course.
Even after that, the course itself is five or six years long! So you need to be certain that you are ready to go back to the world of academic learning for a long period of time.
Long hours on the job and physical demands
Once you qualify as a vet, you will be entering a career which demands a lot of your time. If you are passionate and dedicated, as we’re sure you are, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue. However, as we get older, it can be harder to keep up with long working hours, so this is something to bear in mind before you make your decision.
We hope this blog has helped you understand a little more about the process requirements for becoming a vet in later life. This hasn’t been intended to put you off, just to explain what is required for this demanding career choice.
Many vets do qualify in later life and, if you have the intelligence, passion and determination needed, there is no reason not to give it a try!
For more information about what a veterinary career involves, you can keep an eye on our blog.