You’ve decided you want to study veterinary medicine – that’s a big leap. It’s your first step on the path to becoming a Vet.
But what’s next?
Education is a hugely important part of your chosen career path and you should put careful thought into where you’re going to apply to study. Which are the best universities for vets? This is the next step – researching the different institutions that offer your subject. What are their courses like? What are their course ratings? Are the teaching and programme of study well-regarded?
Let’s take a look at the UK’s leading universities for veterinary medicine:
1. Cambridge – http://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/
World renowned, prestigious, competitive. The entry requirements are A*AA at A Level, or 40-42 points on IB and A-Levels in mathematics and sciences are essential. The course takes 6 years to complete, but don’t let this put you off! The first years lay the groundwork in areas from animal management to physiotherapy, neurobiology and clinical drug studies. In the third year, you’ll choose a subject relevant to your course in which to specialise and achieve a BA qualification in that subject. This is unique to the course at Cambridge and gives undergraduates the advantage of in-depth study of an area of interest. The final three years focus on
clinical studies. These are the years in which you’ll gain the sufficient medical and clinical knowledge to practice veterinary medicine. Cambridge University is home to world-class teaching facilities, laboratories and lecturers. The
qualifications awarded upon graduation are second to none, but be prepared to make some sacrifices. The workload is substantial and the commitment required is not for the faint-hearted, but you’ll soon learn why Cambridge is regarded one of the best universities for vets.
2. Glasgow – http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/vet/
The University of Glasgow offers two undergraduate degrees in veterinary science. The first is Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS). It’s a five-year course split into three phases: foundation (years 1 & 2), clinical (3 & 4) and professional (5). An extra requirement for this course, however, is 38 weeks of extra-mural study (EMS), in which you’ll be expected to gain further experience of animal handling and clinical practice independently. The course is run in a ‘spiral scheme’, which continually revisits previous areas of study, with increasing clinical focus, over the five-year period. The other option is Veterinary Biosciences (BSc). This is a four-year course with the opportunity to study for the MSci in an optional fifth year. It’s a biomedical sciences programme of study, designed to provide students with a solid comprehension of the main elements of all biomedical sciences, with a strong focus on the biology of health and disease. There’ll be lab work but it won’t carry the same weight of hands-on procedures as the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery course. Entry requirements are AAB-ABB, with A-Levels (or equivalent) in both chemistry and biology. Glasgow is also one of only six European vet schools to be accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association for its undergraduate courses, making it one of the best universities for vets in the UK.
3. Edinburgh – http://www.ed.ac.uk/vet
The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery course at Edinburgh usually lasts 5 years, but there is an accelerated four-year programme for applicants with a relevant degree already. Entry requirements are AAA and chemistry and biology are essential, as is a strong GCSE grade in physics if the subject was not studied at A-Level. In the first two years, a foundation of anatomy, animal safety and research skills is built and, as the course progresses, more focus is placed on specialism and clinical competence. Edinburgh, like Glasgow, also requires extra-mural study, with at least 12 weeks completed before the commencement of your third year of study. Edinburgh University is very proud of its world-class teaching facilities and lecturers, as well as its location in the heart of beautiful Edinburgh itself. Few universities can boast such a diverse, global student community amongst such history and heritage. At Edinburgh, you’ll have opportunities for laboratory-based research placements, both in Edinburgh and in the USA, at Colorado State University and on the Cornell Leadership Programme. Whilst these are regarded the UK’s best universities for vets and veterinary science, they may not be your top 3. There are other highly regarded institutions with their own unique courses and extras to offer. Nottingham, Liverpool, Bristol and the Royal Veterinary College all offer undergraduate courses in veterinary science, with similar entry requirements. It’s worth taking the time to do some digging and find out which university is right for you. Read through some student testimonies, check the available specialisms each place can offer and, perhaps most importantly, take advantage of open days at as many places as you can. You’ll get a feel for the place that you just can’t get from a website or prospectus. You never know what might surprise you!