From school to university and beyond, this blog outlines how long it will take you to become a fully qualified and practicing veterinarian in the UK.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Vet?
Training to become a vet can be an exciting and rewarding experience, with opportunities to get a taste for your future career through professional placements. However, training to become a vet does take time and dedication.
This blog will take you through the steps required, and give you an understanding of how long it takes to become a vet. Hopefully, this will help you decide whether a veterinary career is right for you!
GCSEs and A-Levels (+2 years on top of compulsory education)
In order to apply for a degree in Veterinary Science at university, you will need to achieve both GCSE and A-Level grades at school and/or college. Typically, universities require 5 GCSEs (A to C grade) and 3 A-Levels (including 1 A-Level in a relevant subject – Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Maths). Please ensure to consult the specific requirements for each university as entrance qualifications do change over time.
In the UK, students typically take compulsory GCSE qualifications at 16 years old and additional A-Level qualifications at 18. You will therefore need to stay in school until you are 18 years old.
Optional Gap Year (+1 year)
After completing A-Levels, some students may choose to take a gap year before attending university. If you have an existing place at a university, you may choose to defer your place by one year in order to travel or pursue other interests. If you do not have an existing place at university, you may take this time to resit A-Level exams to boost your grades or else gain work experience to improve your application.
Some may also choose to take a gap year after completing their university degree.
Veterinary Science Degree (+5-6 years)
To become a vet in the UK, you will need to take a degree approved by the governing body of the veterinary profession, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). A typical veterinary degree course is five years long, though at the University of Cambridge the course is six years. Some universities also offer a six-year course for those who do not meet the initial entry requirements, spending the first year preparing students for the five-year degree. It is also possible to study outside of the UK. Please consult the RCVS website to review international options.
Once you have successfully completed your degree, you will need to register with the RCVS to officially practice veterinary medicine in the UK.
Further study (Masters Degree: +1 year, PhD: +3-4 years, Postgraduate Certificate & Diploma: Flexible, up to 10 years)
Once they have graduated, many veterinarians choose to further their education by completing a Master’s degree, PhD or a Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma offered by the RCVS. These qualifications allow veterinarians to further distinguish themselves or specialise in a particular area of veterinary science and can range from 1 to 10 years. Please note, the Postgraduate Certificate is a modular certificate and can be completed alongside a veterinary surgeon job.
So, how long does it take to become a vet?
It is possible to become a vet in as little as five years after leaving school with the relevant A-Levels, however this time period can increase if you choose to take a gap year or pursue further qualifications after your degree.
If you think you have the skills and passion required to become a vet, then we at Synergy Vets look forward to hearing from you in five years (or thereabouts!) to support you with your vet job search.