A veterinarian is a doctor responsible for the health of animals who has trained at a university for at least six years and is licensed to provide medical and surgical care for animals. Prospective vet school students need to have a strong track record in the sciences and a sharp analytical mind.
Carleton’s undergraduate science programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive science education. Carleton science students benefit from small classes, personalized interaction with their professors, lab experience (including hands-on labs in your 1st year), and excellent co-op opportunities. Science students will also be enrolled in a First Year Seminar wherein they are taught by an experienced faculty member in a class of no more than approximately twenty-five students. There is a specialized seminar for science students entitled Seminar in Science that introduces students to advancements in the field and current research questions.
These Seminars not only help to bridge the gap between high school and university-level study but they also provide a great opportunity for students to get to know one of their professors on a more personal level, which is highly beneficial for obtaining academic letters of reference.
To learn more about the veterinary college application process and admission requirements check out the information below.
Applying to Veterinary Colleges in Canada:
There are several Veterinary Colleges in Canada: The Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, The Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island, The Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, the Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire at the Université de Montréal and the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Application Process:
To obtain a complete information about the application process to Veterinary Colleges in Canada, including an outline of admission requirements, scholarship and bursary information, please contact the respective Veterinary College admission offices.
Admission Requirements:
The successful completion of a minimum of six years of university education is required to be certified as a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM). Veterinarians may also choose to continue their studies in order to specialize in such areas as surgery, radiology, dentistry, ultrasound, oncology, nutrition, epidemiology, ophthalmology, cardiology and dermatology, to name a few.
Please note, Canadian students must apply to the Veterinary College in their region of residency. Please contact the respective Veterinary Colleges for residency requirements.
Cost to Apply to Veterinary School:
Fees vary by Veterinary College. Please contact the respective Veterinary College admission offices.
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) serves as the premier centre of veterinary education, research and clinical expertise for all of Western Canada.
The following website is applicable to western Canadians and individuals from the Canadian territories who meet the WCVM residency guidelines.
Through the Interprovincial Agreement (IPA), the western Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) provide funding for a minimum of 58 first-year IPA seats.
In addition, up to 25 non-IPA seats that are not provincially subsidized are available to individuals who are eligible to apply for IPA seats as well as individuals who meet the WCVM residency requirements in Alberta.
Tuition rates for non-IPA seats are comparable to international veterinary school tuition rates — approximately $69,000 per year.
Note: Preference for the non-IPA seats will be given to residents of the WCVM’s funding partner provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba). In the event that non-IPA seats aren’t filled by residents of the partner provinces, residents of the northern territories and Alberta will be considered for available seats.
Click the button below for further details.
Saskatchewan residents | NEW for fall 2022 entry
In spring 2021, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that three of its 20 provincially-subsidized seats will prioritize admission of students who are more likely to work in a large animal and/or rural mixed animal practice once they complete the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.
For further information on eligibility criteria, application procedure and selection process, please see the WCVM Applicant Manual (appendix A).
U.S. and international applicants
The WCVM will offer admission to a minimum of five U.S./international students for fall 2022 entry. Please click the button below for more information.
About
Veterinary medicine focuses on animal health and the study of diseases that affect all animal species. Veterinarians receive comprehensive training in all basic and clinical sciences with relation to a variety of species, including food‑producing animals, horses, companion animals, exotic pets and wildlife.
Quick facts
- Four-year degree. This doesn’t include the two years of university-level studies that are required before admission to this program.
- Full-time program
- Academic year runs from mid-August to end of April
What you will learn
This program prepares you to meet the needs of animal health care in Western Canada and beyond. Our curriculum allows you to pursue personal interest areas including small, large or exotic animal care, surgery, medical imaging, anesthesiology, pathology, wildlife medicine, or animal-human health-related issues — just to name a few.
Curriculum
Why study here
VETERINARY MEDICAL CENTRE (VMC)
The college’s Veterinary Medical Centre is Western Canada’s centre for primary and specialized clinical services, as well as for veterinary teaching and animal health research.
DIVERSE CASELOAD
The WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre’s diverse caseload ensures that veterinary students are exposed to a range of animal species and health issues during their senior years.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM
One of the finest introductory research initiatives in North America, first- and second-year students have the opportunity to work alongside experienced researchers at the college, learning more about the world of research and gaining valuable, hands-on experience.
ONE HEALTH
Veterinarians make ideal leaders of One Health, a global initiative for improving animal, human and environmental health through collaboration among all of the health sciences. That is especially true at uSask — the only Canadian university with a full complement of health science colleges and schools on one campus.
AGRICULTURE
Veterinarians play a critical role in agriculture and production animal health, and the WCVM is well placed to educate new veterinarians in food animal medicine. uSask’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources and the WCVM also collaborate on many food animal research studies that contribute to the students’ training.
LIVESTOCK AND FORAGE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (LFCE)
The LFCE includes a 1,500-head beef cattle feedlot, a forage cow-calf facility, a livestock research unit, facilities for specialized livestock, and a production cow herd with over 400 breeding animals.
Careers
Career options
Accreditation
Tuition estimates
Interprovincial Agreement (IPA) seats
Tuition and fees per year
| IPA tuition | $12,717 |
|---|---|
| Fees | $988 |
| Total | $13,705 |
Tuition estimates reflect a typical amount you could expect to pay per year (2021-2022 Canadian dollar rates).
Fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
Non-Interprovincial Agreement (non-IPA) seats
Tuition and fees per year
| Tuition | $12,717 |
|---|---|
| Non-IPA seat rate* | $55,000 |
| Fees | $988 |
| Total | $68,705 |
Tuition estimates reflect a typical amount you could expect to pay per year (2021-22 Canadian dollar rates).
Fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
*Non-IPA seat: Non-Interprovincial Agreement seat. These student seats are not provincially subsidized by the WCVM’s partner provinces and are subject to potential annual increases.
Additional estimates of fees and expenses
| Additional fees or expenses | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCVSA fees | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Board examinations (NAVLE) | n/a | n/a | n/a | $1,000 |
| TLD dosimeters | $0 | $0 | $0 | $30 |
| Laptop computer | $1,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Textbooks | $1,500 | $2,000 | $1,500 | $1,000 |
| Printing and paper | $300 | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| Instruments and special clothing | $300 | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| Rabies immunizations | $150 | $0 | $230 | $0 |
| Travel expenses (optional) | $1,800 | $1,800 | $1,800 | $3,000 |
| Total (Canadian dollars) | $5,075 | $4,425 | $4,155 | $5,655 |
Prices subject to change and will vary from student to student and year to year.
Preparing for veterinary medicine
High school requirements
There are no specific high school requirements for the DVM program. However, the following high school courses are often required for university-level pre-veterinary courses:
- Grade 12 level mathematics
- Grade 12 level biology
- Grade 12 level chemistry
- Grade 12 level physics
- Students should consult with the institution they plan to attend for further information about high school prerequisites for pre-veterinary courses.
University requirements
- Read through the Admission Requirements below to see what is needed to be considered for admission.
- In addition to completing the required pre-veterinary courses, applicants should work toward an undergraduate degree since the majority of students have completed three to four years of university before gaining admission at the WCVM. This will provide you with alternative career choices if veterinary medicine is no longer an option.
Pre-veterinary contacts
Advisors
Pre-veterinary clubs
Volunteering
Admission requirements
The following information provides a cursory overview of the WCVM’s admission requirements. Before applying to the WCVM, please read the entire WCVM Applicant Manual that contains the college’s official admission policies for fall 2022 entry.
1. Residency
Interprovincial Agreement (IPA) seats: As a regional veterinary college, the WCVM accepts applicants who are residents of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the northern territories. The number of applicants admitted from each western province is determined by an allotment system:
- British Columbia: 20
- Saskatchewan: 20*
- Manitoba: 15
- Territories (Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories): 1
- Education Equity Program: 2
*In spring 2021, the Government of Saskatchewan announced that three of its 20 provincially-subsidized seats will prioritize admission of students who are more likely to work in a large animal and/or rural mixed animal practice once they complete the DVM program.
Non-Interprovincial Agreement (non-IPA) seats for 2022 entry: The WCVM will offer up to 25 non-IPA seats for fall 2022 entry. These seats are not provincially subsidized and tuition will be comparable to international veterinary school tuition rates (approximately $69,000 per year). Non-IPA seats are available to individuals who are eligible to apply for IPA seats as well as individuals who meet the WCVM residency requirement in Alberta.
Please note: Preference for non-IPA seats will be given to residents of the WCVM’s partner provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba). In the event that non-IPA seats aren’t filled by residents of partner provinces, residents of the northern territories and Alberta will be considered for the available seats.
For further details, view the non-IPA viewbook.
All applicants for IPA and non-IPA seats must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Residents of foreign countries may be considered for admission to the WCVM as outlined on the WCVM international admissions page.
Transfer/advanced standing: The WCVM does not accept transfer (advanced standing) students into the DVM program. All applicants must start in Year 1 of the program regardless of previous education or experience.
Determining applicants’ residency
Indigenous applicants — Education Equity Program
2. Required pre-veterinary courses
The pre-veterinary course requirements consist of 60 credits (20 one-term courses) of required and elective courses. One credit represents one lecture hour equivalent per week for one term (or approximately one semester hour of credit):
| 6 credits of Biology (lab required) |
| 6 credits of Chemistry (lab required) |
| 6 credits of English (at least one course must include literature component) |
| 6 credits of Mathematics or Statistics |
| 3 credits of Organic Chemistry |
| 3 credits of Physics (lab required) |
| 3 credits of Biochemistry |
| 3 credits of Genetics |
| 3 credits of Introductory Microbiology |
| 21 credits of elective courses |
| 60 TOTAL CREDITS |
Electives: There are no “preferred” electives. The choice of electives should be based upon the requirements of the program in which the student is enrolled or the student’s general interests.
Pre-veterinary courses completed at USask are usually met in the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.
Pre-veterinary courses not completed at USask may be taken at any accredited post-secondary institution (as recognized by USask). Non-residents of Saskatchewan will not improve their chances of admission by attending the USask for pre-veterinary coursework. Courses taken as part of vocational programs — such as animal health or veterinary technology programs — are not usually accepted to meet the college’s pre-veterinary course requirements. However, a few courses in some programs may be used if the applicant has completed the vocational program. Each case is considered on its individual merit.
Course guidelines: Courses included in the overall and best full-year average calculations must be appropriate or aligned with an applicant’s year of university and program. For example, upper-year students should be taking predominantly third- and fourth-year courses as opposed to introductory-level courses. Please see Section II.B. of the WCVM Applicant Manual for full details.
Full course requirement |NEW for fall 2022 entry
All applicants must have completed at least two full years of university courses.
The definition of a “full year” for this purpose is a minimum of 24 credits (eight or more one-term courses, excluding labs) completed within the regular September to April academic year.
Please see Section II.B. of the WCVM Applicant Manual for full details.
3. Academic requirement
- A minimum, overall average of 75 per cent is needed to be considered for admission.
All grades are converted to a common scale for comparative purposes and this converted average will be used.
4. Animal and veterinary experience
Applicants are required to have both experience and good knowledge of animals and the veterinary profession to be successful in gaining admission. The diversity, quality, depth and breadth of animal and veterinary experiences are assessed in the interview.
Why is experience important?
Types of animal and veterinary experience
Recommended amount of experience
Admission process
Admission to the WCVM is highly competitive, and completion of the pre-veterinary requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the college’s DVM program.
Selection criteria
Selection is based upon assessment of a number of factors including:
- mental aptitude
- academic performance
- motivation
- maturity
- experience with animals
- leadership qualities
- social awareness
- communication skills
- an understanding and knowledge of the veterinary profession
Degrees or diplomas held are not factors in the selection process.
The weighting of selection factors is 60 per cent academic and 40 per cent non-academic. The weighting is used to establish the rank order of applicants who will be offered admission with the exception of the Saskatchewan agriculture-focused seats (see appendix A of the WCVM Applicant Manual).
Transcripts and academic performance
Mental aptitude and academic performance are mainly evaluated by academic transcripts.
All university work undertaken is considered when evaluating academic performance. The courseload of the applicant is a consideration.
Interviews
The academic score, as outlined below, is the basis for interview offers:
- 2/3 overall average (all university courses completed) — require a minimum average of 75 per cent
- 1/3 best full year average*
*The definition of a full year for this purpose is a minimum of 24 credits (eight or more one-term courses excluding labs) completed within the regular September-April academic year.
The structured interview is designed to assess the applicant’s understanding of the profession with the veterinary program and to evaluate non-academic qualities. Referees’ evaluations and overall documentation are also used to assess these non-academic qualities. Applicants attending out-of-province interviews will be charged a $150 fee.
Applicants will be permitted to have a maximum of three interviews. After an applicant has had three interviews, the WCVM will not consider any further applications.
References
Applicants are required to nominate two referees to support their WCVM application. One referee must be a veterinarian while the other must be an individual who has an animal-related or agricultural background. Space is provided on the application form to list referees name and email address.
Referees will be contacted directly and asked to complete the reference form online. View a sample reference form.
Entry statistics
2021-22 veterinary medicine entry admission statistics
University of Saskatchewan Veterinary Medicine
Contacts
Website: http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/
Phone: 306-966-7459
Email: wcvm.admissions@usask.ca
Program Information
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- 4 years in length
- first two years focus on basic and applied science core courses
- clinical experience during their final years
- 2017-18 Entry admission statistics: 547 applications with 78 students accepted
- Preference given to 4 Western Provinces and Northern Territories (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northern territories)
For more information on the place of residence, click here
Admission Requirements
Course and Degree Requirements
- Degree: at least two years of university. However, neither the number of years of pre-professional study nor the degree(s) held are factors in selecting students
- Required Courses
- English (6 credits)
- Chemistry (6 credits)
- Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
- Biochemistry (3 credits)
- Physics (3 credits)
- Mathematics or Statistics (6 credits)
- Biology (6 credits)
- Genetics (3 credits)
- Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
- Electives (21 credits)
For more information, click here
GPA
- Minimum accepted cumulative average is 75%
- All GPA scales are converted to a common scale
- All university work undertaken is considered when evaluating student performance
- 2/3 overall average (all university courses completed)
- 1/3 best full year average (min 24 credits, or greater than or equal to 8 one-term courses excluding labs)
- The courseload of the applicant is a consideration (prefer students with a full courseload)
Animal and Veterinary Experience
- Applicants are required to have both experience and good knowledge of animals and veterinary profession (assessed in the interview)
- Veterinary experience: under a veterinarian in placements such as animal shelters, research labs, animal rehab or others
- Animal experience: goes beyond having a pet and includes being responsible for livestock unit, working in shelters, and other experiences without supervision of veterinarian
- Specific experiences and amount of experience varies but all must have shown to be useful and significant in working with animals
Required Documents
- Official transcripts sent at time of application sent to WCVM Admissions Office
- Updated versions of the transcript should be submitted as soon as grades are released in January and May
- Two references
- One reference must be veterinarian
- One reference with animal related or agricultural background
- References should follow the format found on the link here
- The application must be completed online here
Timeline
- Mid-September – Applications open online yearly
- December 1 – Deadline for the Application and Residency
- January 31 – Transcripts for fall due
- Feb 15 – Reference forms due
- May 15 – Unofficial transcripts emailed for spring
- May 31 – Official transcript spring term due
- Late April – Early June – Interviews take place
- Mid June – Admission decisions released
For more information, click here
Tuition 2018-2019
- Yearly Tuition: $10,683
For more information, click here
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