collageWhy choose this course
- Study a hands-on curriculum, designed in collaboration with our partnership of veterinary practices and scientific research institutes, where you’ll learn to meet the diverse needs of companion, production, equine, laboratory animals, and exotic and wildlife species.
- Access our multi-million pound facilities, including our Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre and Veterinary Pathology Centre, to practise anaesthesia, catheterisation, dissection, perform a necropsy and more.
- Spend your final year completing intramural clinical placements (IMS) to develop an awareness of working as a veterinary professional in a clinical environment, under the supervision of qualified professionals.
- Learn from lecturers who are registered veterinary practitioners and researchers, in addition to a multidisciplinary team of veterinary specialists from our partner organisations.
- Get the academic requirements needed to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to work as veterinary surgeon once you’ve graduated.
What you will study
On this course, created in collaboration with our partnership of veterinary practices and scientific research institutes, including Marwell Zoo, you’ll learn about different body systems, covering all common companion, equine and production animal (regular and intensive) species, in addition to wildlife and exotic species.
In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to veterinary medicine, including anatomy, animal husbandry, cells and genes, physiology and the concept of professionalism, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree. During your second year, you’ll learn about epidemiology, infectious diseases, and pathology, using clinical case studies and a ‘One Health’ approach.
In your third year, you’ll delve deeper into clinical medicine and surgery, diagnostic techniques, pharmacology, and scientific communication. You’ll also get the opportunity to work alongside a supervisor to conduct your own scientific research project, critically evaluating protocols, data and literature.
During your fourth year, your modules will be split by species and you’ll specialise further in anaesthesia, surgery and patient care, contemporary issues in veterinary medicine, and zoological medicine. You’ll take part in hands-on practical workshops. Each week you’ll focus on a different topic, including critical care and triage medicine, dentistry, how to administer medications and neutering. You’ll work in small groups under the supervision of trained staff.
In your fifth year, you’ll complete intramural clinical placements to further your knowledge, competences, attributes and skills.
| Academic Requirements | |
| GSCE | Subjects required: Chemistry, Biology and Physics (or double science). Grades required: Five subjects at Grade A(7) including Chemistry, Biology, and Physics (or double science). English Language and Mathematics at Grade B(5). |
| A-level | Subjects required: Biology and Chemistry. Grades required: AAB Biology (A) Chemistry (A) and a third subject of your choosing (B). A pass is required in the science practical endorsement. |
| Retake policy | Yes Applications are considered from applicants who are retaking their A-Levels and also those who have previously applied but were unsuccessful are considered as well. |
| Scottish highers | Subjects required: Biology and Chemistry. Grades required: AAABB (Biology and Chemistry at grade A). |
| Scottish advanced | N/A |
| IB | Subjects required: HL6/SL7 in Biology and Chemistry. Grades required: Overall 34 to include 6 in HL Biology and HL Chemistry. |
| Bachelor’s Degree (Gradutes Only) | Grades required: Minimum 2:1 in a bioscience related subject (if your degree doesn’t meet their biology and chemistry requirements they will look into your A levels). |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | Subjects required: Biology and Chemistry. Grades required: H2,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Breakdown: 15 level 3 credits in Biology (Distinction). 15 level 3 credits in Chemistry (Distinction). The remaining 15 credits at distinction may be in a subject of your choosing. |
| International/EU | https://www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/veterinary-medicine-and-science#entry |
| Birkbeck University Certificate of Higher Education in Subjects Allied to Medicine | Distinction overall with distinction in all Biology and Chemistry Modules. |
| Kite-marked level 3 Access course | N/A |
| Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate | Biology and Chemistry with a pass overall with AAB from the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels. |
| BTEC | Subjects required: Animal/Science related subject area (along with an A in A level Chemistry). Grades required: DDD + A (A level). |
| Cambridge Pre-U | N/A |
| Admission Assessment | N/A |
| Work Experience | Minimum 4 weeks: 1 week in a general veterinary practice. Remaining weeks can include farm, stable yard, kennels, rescue centre, research laboratory or abattoir work |
Course content
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey is home to 40 academics with a huge diversity of expertise, ranging from fundamental science to applied clinical research.
Our active research community benefits from links with leading research institutions, veterinary practices and the wider veterinary industry. Some of our important strategic partners include The Pirbright Institute, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Marwell Wildlife and the Surrey Wildlife Trust. We have also established partnerships with leading veterinary practices, including Fitzpatrick Referrals, Liphook Equine Hospital and the Westpoint Veterinary Group. These partnerships offer opportunities for collaborative PhDs, as well as access to unique facilities and resources.
We have a number of specific research strengths, including infectious disease and pathology research and research into inherited animal diseases. Our recently established vHIVE (Veterinary Health Innovation Engine) research centre offers unrivalled opportunities to develop innovative digital and data analytics tools to improve animal health and well-being, and connects with our cutting-edge biomechanics research.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- PhD
- Part time 96 months
- Campus-based learning is available for this qualification
- Full time 48 months
- Campus-based learning
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