If you love animals, you must have thought about getting a degree in veterinary medicine. Veterinary is a difficult and noble profession, requiring a lot of moral strength, stability and a kind heart. Veterinary doctors care about domestic and farm (and sometimes even wild) animals, are engaged in surgery, therapy and rehabilitation of animals after illness — the range of their responsibilities is sometimes wider than that the range of responsibilities of an ordinary doctor, and the level of responsibility is also very high — so it is obviously a career not for everybody but only for people who found their destiny in caring about animals. Luckily, a number of these people is big enough so almost every medical university (or even regular university) has several study programs in Veterinary Medicine.

Structure of the Veterinary Medicine study programs

Usually study programs in Veterinary Medicine are organized just like study programs in Medicine — they last longer than any other study programs (undergraduate study program in Veterinary Medicine can last from five to six years, four-year study programs are not very common), students usually need to complete special qualification besides a degree to be able to practice in clinics and hospitals. The curriculum consists of lectures, seminars and a lot of practical lessons. Students undertake core courses in animal anatomy and behavior, surgery, parasitology and many other medical disciplines, but with emphasis on animals instead of humans. Students need to pass final exams and/or to submit a final dissertation to complete an undergraduate degree, an internship or a work placement is also mandatory.

Entry requirements for Veterinary Medicine applicants

Entry requirements for Human Medicine applicants are the same for Veterinary Medicine applicants. They need to demonstrate interest for the chosen subject (so they need a forceful motivation letter), excellent grades in natural sciences, such as biology (and sometimes chemistry) are needed to. High grades in other disciplines (Maths) are strongly recommended.

Applicants need to demonstrate English fluency, since most study programs in Veterinary Medicine are taught in English. Those who wish to receive a degree in foreign universities need also to meet special visa requirements of the chosen country.

Best Universities

According to QS Top Universities Ranking by Subject 2022, the best institution holding study programs in Veterinary Medicine is Royal Veterinary College, University of London, the United Kingdom. Further information about this university — entry requirements for international applicants, study programs and much more can be found on the university profile on our website. The list of other world leading institutions holding study programs in Veterinary Medicine includes Cornell University, Royal Veterinary College, University of Cambridge, University of Liverpool, University of Guelph, University of Pennsylvania, University of Edinburgh. Information about all these universities can be found on our website.