DEGREE GUIDE
Veterinary Medicine
What do Veterinary Medicine degrees involve?
Veterinary Medicine degrees teach you how to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses in animals while developing the clinical and surgical skills needed for veterinary practice. You will explore key areas such as animal anatomy and physiology, pathology, pharmacology, surgery, and animal welfare. These courses help you build strong problem-solving, communication, and practical skills while learning how to care for pets, livestock, and wildlife. Training combines academic study with extensive hands-on experience in veterinary hospitals, farms, and animal shelters. With clinical placements, professional accreditation, and opportunities for specialisation, you’ll graduate ready to qualify as a veterinarian, working in general practice, research, or specialist animal care.
Common Degree Names
💼 Clinical placements are a key part of all Veterinary Medicine degrees, including extra-mural studies throughout the programme.
🌍 Study abroad is not commonly included due to RCVS regulations, though some overseas placements may be arranged.
BVetMed (Hons) Veterinary Medicine
BVMS Veterinary Medicine
BVM&S Veterinary Medicine
BVSc Veterinary Science
Veterinary Medicine is a five-year undergraduate degree leading to qualification as a vet. Degrees are accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Level 3 (A-level / IB Diploma (HL) / Scottish Highers)
Veterinary Medicine is an intensive science degree combining animal biology, chemistry, and clinical training. The profession requires deep understanding of how animal bodies function at molecular, cellular, and whole-organism levels, which is why strong science foundations are essential.
You'll need:
Chemistry – essential at all UK veterinary schools
Biology – required by most veterinary schools; some accept Physics or Maths as an alternative
Subjects that could strengthen your application:
Mathematics – useful for pharmacology calculations and data analysis
Physics – helpful for understanding imaging and biomechanics
Psychology – relevant for animal behaviour and client communication
✨ Chemistry is essential at all UK veterinary schools. Biology is required by most, though a few schools accept Physics or Maths instead. This is a highly competitive course with extensive work experience requirements, interviews, and health checks – see Other Requirements.
Universities may also accept:
BTEC Extended Diplomas in Applied Science (being phased out), accepted by some veterinary schools with DDD or D*DD, including Distinctions in specified Chemistry and Biology units
BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Human Biology alongside A-levels, including Chemistry (very limited acceptance).
Not typically accepted:
T-levels – not currently accepted by UK veterinary schools
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) – unlikely to be accepted without HL Chemistry and Biology (check individual schools)
All UK Veterinary Medicine degrees are accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), which is essential for registration to practise as a vet. Always check specific course requirements – each veterinary school has different criteria.
Level 2 Qualifications (GCSE or equivalent)
Veterinary schools have strict GCSE requirements:
GCSE English Language, Maths, Biology, and Chemistry (or equivalent) – typically required at grade 6/B or grade 7/A. Equivalents include Scottish National 5s or IB MYP certificates
Double Science may be accepted in place of separate Biology and Chemistry GCSEs
Most veterinary schools require five or more GCSEs at high grades
📋 GCSE requirements for Veterinary Medicine are higher than for most degrees. Check each veterinary school's specific requirements carefully as they vary – some require grade 7/A in sciences, others accept grade 6/B.
Is this degree right for you?
Members can explore whether this degree fits who they are:
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Skills you'd develop and whether they match your strengths
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How this aligns with your interests, motivators and values
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Career paths and where graduates end up
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Skills you would develop in X degree
Skill Name
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Is this a good fit for you?
Use the tabs to explore the kind of person that this would be a good fit for. Do you share the Interests, Motivations, Values, Work identity and skills that people who thrive in this course tend to have?
Not sure what these things are? Explore your Identity Tree with us first.
Interests that connect well with a Veterinary Medicine degree
Students who enjoy this degree often share these interests. You don't need to feel strongly about all of them, and interests develop over time. If one or two catch your curiosity, or sound like something you'd like to know more about, that's a good sign.


Animals: Animals are what the degree is built around. You'll learn to diagnose, treat and prevent illness across companion, farm, equine and exotic species, alongside animal welfare, behaviour, and the bond between people and animals.
Living Things & the Natural World: The early years of the degree teach how life works across many species. You'll dissect and compare anatomy, study genetics and physiology in mammals, birds and reptiles, and build the deep biological understanding that becomes your foundation for clinical practice.
Careers a Veterinary Medicine degree could lead you to


