A Veterinary Surgeon is responsible for the prevention of disease and for the medical and

surgical treatment of animals including household pets, zoo animals, farm animals and horses.

To become a vet, you will need to obtain a veterinary degree from university. There are six

universities in the UK which offer veterinary degrees. These universities are found at Bristol,

Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and London. The course lasts for five to six years,

depending on the university.

Entrance requirements are very high and differ at each university. Usually three 'A' levels are

expected in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths - the grades expected are

very high - A's and B's. A broad range of GCSE's will also be expected, with particular attention

paid to Science, Maths and English. All of the universities require applicants to have work

experience before their application, e.g. in a Veterinary Practice, or on a farm handling

livestock.

All veterinary courses cover the major species of animals encountered in practice (e.g. cattle,

sheep, pigs, horses, dogs, cats and birds). It is not possible to specialise in one particular

species until the veterinary degree is obtained.

Once you have a veterinary degree and would like to start practicing, you must be registered

by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). The RCVS is the governing body for vets in

the UK and ensures that standards within the profession are maintained, safeguarding the health

and welfare of animals and the interests of the public. Once registered, the individual has

the right to use the letters MRCVS after their name, which signifies Membership of

the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Veterinary Schools in the UK

University of Bristol University of Cambridge Senate House Madingley Road Bristol BS8 1TH Cambridge CB2 0ES Tel: 0117 928 7679 Tel: 01223 337600 The University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary School Summerhall Bearsden Road Edinburgh EH9 1QH Glasgow G61 1QH Tel: 0131 650 6178 Tel: 0141 330 5705 University of Liverpool The Royal Veterinary College Faculty of Veterinary Science Royal College Street Liverpool L69 3BX London NW1 0TU Tel: 0151 794 4281 Tel: 020 7468 5000

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