Training to be a Veterinary Surgeon
To train as a veterinary surgeon you will need to go to University and take a veterinary degree. There are six Universities in the United Kingdom, namely Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and London, which provide courses of instruction leading to a veterinary degree. The length of the course is five years (six years at Cambridge only).The number of applications for entry to the University Veterinary Schools far exceeds the number of places available. It is important to remember therefore that applicants who satisfy general entrance and course requirements are not necessarily guaranteed a place. Applicants should be aware that owing to the requirements of the course veterinary students are generally unable to use their vacations for earning money. There are a small number of places at the University Veterinary Schools for graduates and mature students and there is considerable competition for the available places.
Admission Requirements of the University Veterinary Schools
We can only give general advice with regard to the entrance requirements of the University Veterinary Schools since the requirements vary slightly at the different schools. You must check the requirements very carefully in the individual university prospectuses.The prospectuses may be available at your school or they can be obtained free of charge from the University Veterinary Schools (see below).
The admission requirements of the University Veterinary Schools in general terms are as follows:
- A levels: Chemistry must be offered at A level. The requirement for other subjects varies a little from university to university, but either one or two subjects from Biology, Physics or Mathematics should be offered. Those universities which accept Chemistry and one from Biology, Physics or Mathematics will accept a third A level in a non-science subject, but it must be an academically sound subject. The grades generally expected are two As and a B.
- AS levels: Some, but not all, universities accept AS levels. Those that do vary slightly in the combination of subjects that they accept.
- SCE Highers: Chemistry must be offered and generally two subjects from Biology, Physics or Mathematics. The grades generally expected are AAABB.
- CSYS: Applicants are normally advised to proceed to the Sixth Year and include CSYS Chemistry and Biology or Physics in their subjects.
- GCSE: You must meet the general entrance requirements of the University. Most Universities require you to have at least a grade C pass in English Language. Where A level Biology or Physics is not offered, that subject or the equivalent (double award) should usually have been studied to GCSE level.
- Work Experience: All of the University Veterinary Schools require candidates to show evidence of their interest and commitment by having gained experience of working in a veterinary practice and working with and handling animals including livestock. However, practical experience, is not a substitute for academic qualifications.
Mature Students and Graduate Applicants
To gain admission to a veterinary degree course mature students should hold good GCSE 'A' Level examination passes in subjects including chemistry, biology and physics/mathematics, or be able to produce evidence of knowledge to this standard at comparable examinations.Graduates would be expected to hold at least an upper second class honours degree in a related subject to have a chance of acceptance.
Applying to University
All applications from school leavers, mature students, graduates (except in the case of Cambridge) and overseas students for places on the veterinary degree courses at University Veterinary School must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).Information can be obtained from the Secretary of UCAS, Fulton House, Jessop Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3SH. UCAS publish a guidance handbook to assist in completing the application form, which is available at the appropriate time of the year. Applications are made approximately one year in advance. Applicants for entry to Cambridge must also submit, at an early stage, a preliminary application form direct to the College of their choice within that University or an open application to the Cambridge InterCollegiate Applications Office.
The Veterinary Profession
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is the governing body of the profession in this country. Under the provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, with certain minor exceptions, no person is permitted to diagnose and treat the injuries and ailments of animals unless he or she is a registered veterinarian.The veterinary degree awarded by all the Universities listed above confers on the holders the right to registration in the United Kingdom Register of Veterinary Surgeons and the right to membership of the Royal College (MRCVS).
Every veterinary surgeon has an obligation to deal with emergencies in any species at any time. Anyone contemplating a career in veterinary practice should remember this. It is a 24-hour service, 365 days a year.
The veterinary profession, though numerically small (18,764 registered veterinarians in 1998), has varied and important duties. There are career opportunities in a number of areas including:
There is a growing trend towards specialisation in the veterinary profession within animal groups, such as farm animals, small animals and horses, or within disciplines, such as cardiology or anaesthesia. Any specialisation can only take place after first obtaining a veterinary science degree.
- General Practice - The veterinary surgeon is responsible for the maintenance of health and production of farm animals, for the prevention of disease and for the medical and surgical treatment of animals including household pets, zoo animals, farm animals and horses.
- Veterinary Teaching and Research - Teaching and research is undertaken at the University Veterinary Schools. Research is also carried out at research institutes, departments financed by Government, in laboratories and by private enterprise.
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) - A large field staff including veterinary surgeons is maintained for the control of the major epidemic diseases.
- Other opportunities exist in commerce and industry, in the public health service and in countries overseas.
University Veterinary Schools in the United Kingdom
Names and Addresses
- BRISTOL
Veterinary Admissions Clerk
University of Bristol
Senate House
Bristol BS8 1TH
Tel. No: 0117 9287679
Web site
- CAMBRIDGE
The Department Secretary
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine
University of Cambridge
Madingley Road
Cambridge CB2 0ES
Tel. No: 01223 337600
The Cambridge Intercollegiate Applications Office
Kellet Lodge
Tennis Court Road
Cambridge CB2 1QJ
Tel. No: 01223 333308
Web site
- EDINBURGH
Admissions Officer
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
University of Edinburgh
Summerhall
Edinburgh EH9 1QH
Tel. No: 0131 650 6178
Web site
- GLASGOW
Admissions Officer
University of Glasgow Veterinary School
Bearsden Road
Glasgow G61 1QH
Tel. No: 0141 330 5705
Web site
- LIVERPOOL
The Admissions Tutor
Faculty of Veterinary Science
University of Liverpool
Liverpool L69 3BX
Tel. No: 0151 794 4281
Web site
- LONDON
The Head of Registry
The Royal Veterinary College
Royal College Street
London NW1 0TU
Tel. No: 0171 468 5000
Web siteCareers Reading/Reference List
Veterinary Medicine
- Handley, J (1995) Getting into Veterinary Science. Trotman & Co. Ltd
- Pagae, V Careers in Veterinary Surgery. Kogan Page
Working with Animals
- Careers and Occupational Information Centre (1996) Working in Work with Animals. COIC
- Collins, L (1994) A Career in the Horse Industry. 1995/96 The Kenilworth Press Ltd.
- Donald, V and Shepherd, A 7th Ed. (1996) Careers working with Animals. Kogan Page
- Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (1995) Careers with Animals.UFAW
Directories
- Careers and Occupational Information Centre (1998) Occupations 1998. COIC
- Sega, A and Lea, K 13th Ed. (1992) Careers Encyclopaedia. Cassell
- UCAS (1997) University and College Entrance: The Official Guide 1998 Entry. UCAS
General Interest
- Baxter, J (1995) It's a Vet's Life: The Story of Television Vet John Baxter. Boxtree
- Drum, S and Whiteley, H E (1991) Women in Veterinary Medicine: Profiles of Success. Iowa State University Press
- Holden, R B (1992) At all Times and in all Places A Vet's Life. The Pentland Press Ltd.
- Holden, R B (1995) Till Death do us part: A Vet's Life. The Pentland Press Ltd.
- Raffety, G and Mills, J (1989) The Vet: Beyond the Surgery Door. BBC Books
- Stobo, T W and Carter, V R (Ed) (1994) A Vet's Tale The Passing Years. VBF, 7 Mansfield Street, London
- DoFEE (1998) Student Grants and Loans Available free from DofEE Publications Centre, PO Box 6927, London E3 3NZ