Veterinary medicine - Subject Guide

Single Honours 

• Veterinary Medicine 

• Equine Science 

• Veterinary Nursing 

• Veterinary Physiotherapy 

Joint Honours 

• Veterinary Medicine and Public Health 

• Veterinary Medicine with Biochemistry 

• Veterinary Medicine and Zoology 

• Veterinary Medicine and Surgery 

SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI

Alternative Options  

• Foundation years: If you don't meet the entry requirements of your veterinary medicine degree course, then you can complete a foundation year to bring you up to speed with course content and English language skills if necessary. This allows you to more reliably access your preferred course. 

• Sandwich degrees: You’re often able to extend your degree by an extra year, ‘sandwiched’ between Years 2 and 3, or after Year 3 of your undergraduate degree. This can be spent working or gaining experience studying abroad. 

• Integrated Master’s: An Integrated Master's degree extends your undergraduate studies by one year and enables you to pursue a postgraduate qualification at the same yearly cost as an undergraduate. You’ll save money and be able to study at a more advanced level. 

• Degree apprenticeships: Typically having a duration of 3-6 years, these courses are a great option to earn while you learn, offsetting the cost of education while building valuable work experience as your employer covers tuition fees. 

FIND OUT MORE: Different types of undergraduate degree

SOURCE: WHATUNI

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Veterinary medicine programs typically require strong grades in science subjects at A-level (or equivalent), including biology and chemistry. Some universities may also require mathematics or physics.  

Entry requirements can vary, with more competitive courses asking for grades ranging from AAB to AAA at A-level. General Studies and Critical Thinking are generally not accepted. 

FIND OUT MORE: How to choose your A-level subjects

Imagine how complex human healthcare is, and now imagine how many types of animals there are. Veterinary medicine features a huge range of specialisations, from pet care, to working animal health, to exotic animal research. Many of these specialisations can form the basis for a career pathway, and can include: 

• Small animal medicine: Typically involving the care of pets like dogs, cats, and rabbits, veterinarians in this field treat an assortment of medical conditions and health issues, from routine wellness exams to complex diseases and chronic conditions. 

• Equine medicine: Equine medicine focuses on the health and well-being of horses. Veterinarians in this field provide medical care for horses of all breeds and disciplines, addressing issues ranging from preventive healthcare and evaluations to reproductive management and performance assessment. 

• Livestock medicine: This specialisation covers the health management of agricultural animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Veterinarians in this field work to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases in livestock herds, ensuring animal welfare and productivity. 

• Exotic animal medicine: This field involves the care and treatment of non-traditional pets and wildlife species, including reptiles, birds, small mammals, and amphibians. Veterinarians specialising in this field provide care and expertise for a diverse range of exotic species. 

• Veterinary surgery: Veterinary surgeons perform a wide range of procedures, from routine surgeries such as spays and neuters to complex orthopaedic and soft tissue surgeries, aiming to improve the quality of life for animals. 

FIND OUT MORE: View all courses

• Anatomy and physiology 

• Veterinary pharmacology 

• Infectious diseases 

• Veterinary epidemiology 

• Animal nutrition 

• Veterinary surgery 

• Diagnostic imaging 

• Research methods 

• Animal behaviour 

• Preventive medicine 

Veterinary medicine is a long and intense course, and graduates will have more than five years of training under their belt before they can call themselves a qualified vet. You can expect to learn about animal anatomy and physiology in great detail, covering a diverse range of species, diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures, and preventive medicine.  

You’ll do a lot of hands-on clinical training and placement experiences developing the skills necessary for diagnosing and treating a wide range of animal conditions.  

Additionally, you will pick up advanced study abilities and transferable skills such as: 

• Hand-eye co-ordination 

• Clinical reasoning 

• Problem-solving 

• Interpersonal communication 

• Decision-making under pressure 

In the United Kingdom, veterinary medicine programs are accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). RCVS accreditation ensures that academic programs meet the high standards required for veterinary education and training.  

Once you’ve finished a veterinary medicine degree, you’ll have the academic requirements to register as a veterinary surgeon with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and possibly similar bodies overseas.  

Also, degrees in animal behaviour may give you the chance to work towards registration as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB). 

If you’re considering studying veterinary medicine, but not sure that you want to study for such a long time, or possibly specialise in a narrower field within the animal healthcare professions, it's worth exploring related degree programs such as: 

• Animal science 

• Animal behaviour 

• Ecology 

• Animal welfare 

• Zoology 

Once fully qualified as a vet, you’ll have a professional status that allows you to work in animal care anywhere in the world. You’ll have career opportunities in clinical practice, research, public health, and education. 

You could look for a role in a specialised area of veterinary science, or work in a more general care setting, much like the animal equivalent of a GP. You’ll play a vital part in promoting animal health and welfare, as well as safeguarding public health.   

Job roles which you’ll be able to pursue include: 

• Veterinary surgeon 

• Research scientist 

• Public health veterinarian 

• Veterinary pathologist 

• Animal welfare officer 

• Veterinary educator 

• Animal behaviourist 

• Equine nutritionist 

• Lecturer 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You will find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in veterinary medicine, or a related subject. 

FIND OUT MORE: Career guides