A Career as a Veterinary Surgeon
These days Veterinary Surgery is one of the most popular career
choices for young people and places to study the subject at
University are oversubscribed making competition tough.
Skills required
- Love of animals and people
- A good communicator
- Good detective skills and an inquisitive mind
- Ambition and enthusiasm
- High intelligence and plenty of common sense
University Entry Requirements
There are variations between the entrance requirements for
different veterinary schools and therefore you must check the
requirements very carefully in the individual university
prospectuses. Prospectuses can be obtained free of charge direct
from the universities, or can be viewed on their websites.
In general terms, the entry requirements of the university
veterinary schools are as follows:
A Levels
Chemistry must be offered at A-level. The requirement for other
subjects varies a little from university to university, but either
one or two subjects from Biology, Physics or Mathematics should be
offered. Those universities which accept Chemistry and either
Biology, Physics or Mathematics will accept a third A-level in a
non-science subject, but it must be an academically sound subject.
The grades generally expected are two A's and a B (Usually
requiring an A in Chemistry)
AS Levels
Some universities accept AS levels, but precise requirements can
vary. Normally, 2 AS levels will be accepted in lieu of 1 A level,
except in Chemistry where a full A level is required.
SCE Highers
Chemistry must be offered and generally two subjects from Biology,
Physics or Mathematics. The grades generally expected are
AAABB.
CSYS
Applicants are normally advised to proceed to the Sixth Year and
include CSYS Chemistry and Biology or Physics in their
subjects.
GCSE
You must meet the general entrance requirements of the university.
Most universities require you to have at least a grade C pass in
English Language. Where A-level Biology or Physics is not offered,
that subject or the equivalent (double award) should usually have
been studied to GCSE level.
Work Experience
All of the university veterinary schools require applicants to
show evidence of their interest and commitment by
having gained experience of working in a veterinary practice and
working with and handling animals including livestock. However,
practical experience is not a substitute for academic
qualifications.
Applying to University
The number of high quality applications for entry to university
veterinary schools far exceeds the number of places available. You
need to be aware, therefore, that even if you meet the entry
requirements, you are not necessarily guaranteed a place.
All applications from school leavers, mature students, graduates
(except in the case of Cambridge) and overseas students for places
on veterinary degree courses at UK universities must be made
through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
For further information, contact the Secretary of UCAS, Fulton
House, Jessop Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3SH, or
visit their website.
UCAS publishes an annual guidance handbook to assist in
completing the application form. Applications are made
approximately one year in advance. Applicants for entry to
Cambridge must also submit, at an early stage, a preliminary
application form direct to the college of their choice within that
university or an open application to the Cambridge InterCollegiate
Applications Office. You will only be able to list four veterinary
schools on your UCAS form. The remaining two choices should be for
non-veterinary degrees.
The Universities
There are six universities in the UK offering veterinary degrees
approved by the RCVS.
These are Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and
London (the Royal Veterinary College). The degree courses are five
years in length (six years at Cambridge).
Holders of the veterinary degree awarded by these six UK
universities may register and become a member of The Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) which is the governing body of the
profession in the United Kingdom.
Every veterinary surgeon has an obligation to deal with
emergencies in any species at any time. Anyone contemplating a
career in veterinary practice should remember this. It is a 24-hour
service, 365 days a year.
Career Opportunities
The veterinary profession, though numerically small (19,226
registered veterinarians in 2000), has varied and important duties.
There are career opportunities in a number of areas including:
General Practice
The 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.
There is a wide range of jobs in this field - from the charities
(PDSA, RSPCA) seeing first opinion work to specialist referral
practices and university hospitals.
Veterinary Teaching and Research
Research is undertaken at the university veterinary schools and at
research institutes, departments financed by Government, in
laboratories and by private enterprise. Many careers in research
span the interface between human and veterinary medicine.
Government Service
Many opportunities exist within the public sector. Veterinary
surgeons are involved in protecting public health in the Department
of Health or the newly created Food Standards Agency.
The profession's involvement in animal health and in preventing
major epidemic diseases is carried out by the Veterinary Field
Service - part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (DEFRA)
Other Opportunities
Other opportunities exist in commerce and industry, in
international organisations and overseas. For example, there is the
Food and Agricultural organisation of the UN; the Royal Army
Veterinary Corps, Veterinary Advisor to drug companies. etc.
Further information:
Bristol
http://www.vetschool.bris.ac.uk
Cambridge
http://www.vet.cam.ac.uk
Edinburgh
http://www.vet.ed.ac.uk
Glasgow
http://www.gla.ac.uk/Acad/FacVet/
Liverpool
http://pcwww.liv.ac.uk/vets/
London
http://www.rvc.ac.uk
