What grades do I need to study Veterinary Medicine?
Veterinary Medicine degrees are notoriously competitive and just like a standard Medicine degree you’ll need a gleaming academic record to be considered by any of the seven universities that offer Veterinary Medicine in the UK.
As well as the academic entry requirements you’ll also need to bear in mind other aspects of the application process including your personal statement and work experience and in some cases a BMAT aptitude test and interview.
Getting on to an accredited Veterinary Medicine course isn’t easy but as all graduates will tell you it’s well worth the effort during your exams and the application process.
The universities that offer Veterinary Medicine degrees accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) are:
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Liverpool
- University of Nottingham
- Royal Veterinary College London
This means that competition is fierce and the universities can afford to only accept the best and brightest students for their course.
Essential A levels
The entry requirements for each course are different, so check with each university you’re interested in before you apply to ensure you’ll meet them.
However, there are certain requirements that you’ll find are the same across the board. For example, all universities will expect you to have an A levels in Biology at A grade.
You’ll also be expected to have A level Chemistry and usually A level Maths to be considered when you apply.
Desirable A levels
Sometimes universities will accept a non-science related A level as long as it is an academically sound subject.
It’s worth choosing a subject that might help you in your future career, such as Critical Thinking, when considering which A levels to take at college.
What grades do I need to study Veterinary Medicine?
Again, the exact grade requirements vary from university to university but you can expect to need at least AAB (University Nottingham entry requirements) and you may need grades as high as A*AA (University of Cambridge).
Check with the universities that you’re interested in before submitting your application to ensure you’ll meet their entry requirements.
What else do I need to do to be offered a place to study Veterinary Medicine?
As well as having an excellent academic record you’ll also need to have completed relevant work experience, have a strong personal statement, take a BMAT test, and you’ll usually have to attend an interview.
Your work experience doesn’t have to be in a veterinary practice – you could also volunteer at an animal rescue, have a part time job in a pet shop, or have worked in an abattoir.
Your personal statement should give details of your work experience, what you learnt whilst there, and how this has influenced your choice to study Veterinary Medicine.
A BMAT is an aptitude test used by universities offering medicine related degree subjects to test applicants’ suitability for the career. You’ll be asked a variety of multiple choice questions and your score will help admissions tutors decide whether or not to offer you a place.
You may not have to attend an interview, check with each university you apply to and ask if interviews are part of the application process. However, if you do need to attend an interview it’s important that you’re well prepared for it.
Be ready to answer questions about things you’ve mentioned in your personal statement (so don’t be tempted to lie or bend the truth) and other questions relating to the course, the university, your knowledge of the subject, and general Veterinary Medicine questions.
What if I don’t meet the entry requirements on A level results day?
If things go wrong in the exam room and you don’t meet the entry requirements, don’t panic.
Although it’s not often that Veterinary Medicine courses are entered into Clearing you might be lucky. If you’ve only just missed the entry requirements call your first choice and reserve universities to see if they’ll still accept you.
Some universities also offer a foundation year for students that don’t get the grades to go straight into studying Veterinary Medicine at degree level.
If you don’t make it in during the Clearing process, and there isn’t a university that you like that offers a foundation year, then your other option is to retake your exams and reapply next year.
