We’ve made a comprehensive list of the top veterinary universities in UK for you in this comprehensive article at World Scholars Hub. But before you go further;
Do you know that the Demand for veterinarians is projected to grow by 17 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations?
Thanks to advancing technology, increasing animal diseases and conservation of the animal species, the future looks bright and promising for veterinary medicine.
The good news is that you will face less competition in the job market, and you will have access to numerous opportunities where you can work and earn a satisfying amount of money.
The United Kingdom is one of the best countries for higher education and has some of the finest veterinary universities in the world at the moment, and if you’re looking for the best ones amongst the list, look no more.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Veterinary Universities in UK
We’ve brought you some of the best veterinary universities in UK below:
1. The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is constantly top ranking amongst all the top veterinary universities in UK each year.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary at the University of Edinburgh prides itself as one of the most appealing and renowned veterinary schools in the UK and world.
The Dick Vet is known for its world class teaching, research and clinical care.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary at the University of Edinburgh has excelled in recent league tables and was top on the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for the sixth year in a row.
They also topped the Guardian University Guide 2021 league table for veterinary science for the fourth year in a row.
In the worldwide rankings, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary at the University of Edinburgh placed second in the world and top in the UK in the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020 – Veterinary Sciences.
The main route of becoming a veterinary surgeon at this university is by taking a five-year Bachelor course. If you have previously attained a degree in a related field, in biology or animal sciences, you’re allowed to enroll in a fast-track Bachelor program which lasts only 4 years.
Their five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM&S) and Surgery programme will prepare you for many aspects of the veterinary profession.
Graduating from the programme will make you eligible for registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). You will then be able to practice veterinary medicine in the UK.
Their veterinary programme is accredited by:
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
- The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)
- The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc (AVBC)
- The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
Graduates from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary at the University of Edinburgh can practice veterinary medicine in:
- The UK
- Europe
- North America
- Australasia
- South Africa.
The university also offers the following programs:
Postgraduate:
- MSc in Applied Animal Welfare and Applied Animal behaviour.
- MSc in Animal Bioscience.
- International Infectious Diseases and One Health MSc.
Research programs:
- Clinical Veterinary Sciences
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics and Genomic
- Infection and Immunity
- Neurobiology.
2. University of Nottingham
The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in the University of Nottingham delivers a range of innovative courses, world-class research and services for veterinary professionals.
Every year, they admit over 300 students who study about the diagnostic, medical and surgical aspects of veterinary medicine and are equipped with other skills required to succeed in veterinary medicine.
What’s even more interesting is that they offer dual intakes in the months of September and April of every year.
The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham is known to be one of the top 10 Veterinary Universities in UK.
They have a dynamic, vibrant and highly stimulating learning environment. They boast of a large blend of students, staff and researchers from around the world, who are committed to innovative learning and scientific discovery.
Their undergraduate courses are accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), and are designed to integrate scientific research, clinical medicine and surgery with pathology and basic sciences.
They have focused their research around four main themes:
✔️ Diagnostics and Therapeutics
✔️ One Virology
✔️ Translational Infection Biology
✔️ Ruminant Population Health.
The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in the University of Nottingham ranked 2nd for research power in the Research Excellence Framework (REF, 2014).
They were also ranked top by the National Student Survey (NSS)-2020.
They offer three courses that lead to the same qualifications, but they have different entry requirements.
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
A five-year course that requires science qualifications, such as A levels.
- BVM BVS with BVMedSci
- 5 years
- in September or April
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
(including a Preliminary Year).
A six-year course requires less science A-levels.
- BVM BVS with BVMedSci. 6 years.
- You Progress to a five-year course after your first year.
- if you don’t have the required science qualifications.
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
(including a Gateway Year).
A six-year course which requires slightly lower grades, and is for applicants who have had disadvantaging circumstances.
- BVM BVS with BVMedSci
- 6 years
- Progress to the five-year course after your first year.
3. University of Glasgow
The University is one of the seven Vet Schools in Europe to have achieved accredited status for its undergraduate programmes from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Veterinary Medicine at Glasgow is ranked 1st in the UK (Complete University Guide 2021) and 2nd in the UK (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021).
The University has managed over 150 years of veterinary excellence, they are known for innovative teaching, research and clinical provision.
✔️They are placed amongst the world leaders in global animal health.
✔️They have accredited status from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
✔️They are also the top amongst UK veterinary schools for research quality (REF 2014).
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow is one of the top 10 Veterinary Universities in UK, and on this list, it ranks number 3.
At the undergraduate level, you have the option of seeking a degree in Veterinary Biosciences or Veterinary Medicine & Surgery. However, for the postgraduate studies you have more options to choose from:
PhD Research Programmes
- Veterinary epidemiology
- Advanced veterinary diagnostic imaging
- Equine infectious disease
- Equine, ruminant and poultry nutrition
- Veterinary microbiology
- Small animal endocrinology, nutrition and obesity
- Veterinary reproduction
- Veterinary neurology
- Veterinary oncology
- Veterinary anatomic pathology
- Veterinary public health
- Small animal cardiology.
4. University of Liverpool
Among other top ranking veterinary universities in UK, the School of Veterinary Science in Liverpool was the first veterinary School to be part of a University. Ever since then, it has remained a leading education provider for veterinary professionals.
They have two on-site working farms as well as two referral hospitals, and three first opinion practices; with full hospitalization and surgical facilities.
This enables undergraduates to gain valuable practical experience of all aspects of veterinary practice.
They also offer postgraduate courses and online Continuing Professional Development courses for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, and chartered physiotherapists.
Over the years, they have developed energetic fundamental and clinical research programmes, together with world-renowned hospitals and University-owned farms that model new, best practice for professionals.
In 2015, Guardian University Guide ranked them 1st among the Top 10 Veterinary Universities in UK. Also, in 2017, they ranked fifth in the QS rankings.
5. University of Cambridge
Sitting elegantly in this list of the top 10 Veterinary Universities in UK, is the renowned University of Cambridge.
The Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge has an international reputation as a centre of excellence, committed to performing world class veterinary research.
The University has been around for over six years. Their veterinary medicine course includes an intensive practical and clinical training, as well as the bonus of a full Cambridge science BA degree.
One of their major strength is in the extensive use of practical teaching and small-group teaching from the first year. They are known for world class staffing and facilities.
Some of their Facilities and resources include:
- A five-theatre small animal surgical suite.
- Active ambulatory farm animal and equine units
- A fully-equipped intensive care unit
- An equine surgical suite and diagnostic unit, with an MRI machine capable of imaging standing horses
- A state-of-the-art post-mortem suite.
They also claim ownership of one of the leading cancer therapy units in Europe with a linear accelerator used for delivering radiotherapy to both small and large animals with cancer.
They have a Clinical Skills Centre which contains interactive models and simulators for students to practice and refine essential technical skills individually and as integrated clinical scenarios. The Centre is also made accessible to students in all years of the course.
6. University of Bristol
Bristol Veterinary School is in the list of the best Veterinary Universities in UK. They are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
What this means is that graduates of this course will be able to practise veterinary medicine in multiple countries around the world.
They run a modern curriculum that is aimed at introducing students to the integrated structure and function of healthy animals, and the mechanisms of disease and their clinical management.
Bristol is ranked in the world’s top 20 universities for veterinary science by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.
Bristol Veterinary School has been training veterinary professionals for more than 60 years. Below is a list of some of Bristol’s impressive list of existing accreditations:
- The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
- The European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)
- The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)
- The South African Veterinary Council.
7. University of Surrey
With a practical curriculum, the University of Surrey stands at number 7 on the list of top Veterinary Universities in UK.
The University is ranked 7th in the UK for veterinary science by the Guardian University Guide 2022, 9th in the UK for veterinary medicine by the Complete University Guide 2022 and 9th in the UK for animal science in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
With access to top notch facilities, like their Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre and Veterinary Pathology Centre, the you get to practise anaesthesia, catheterisation, dissection, performing a necropsy and more.
The Centre is fitted with the latest industry equipment, including electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors and simulators, that you’ll use to practise anaesthesia, intravenous and urinary catheterisation, life support and resuscitation, suture placement, venepuncture and more.
The University is Professionally recognized by:
- BVMedSci (Hons) – Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
Accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary surgeon with that body.
- BVMSci (Hons) – Australian Veterinary Boards Council Inc. (AVBC)
On successful completion of their veterinary course, you’re recognised for automatic registration by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC).
- BVMSci (Hons) – South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
Also, on successful completion of course, you’re recognised for automatic registration by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
8. Royal Veterinary College
Established in 1791, The Royal Veterinary College is credited as the largest and longest-established vet school in the English-speaking world and is a college of the University of London.
The College offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Nursing
- Biological Sciences
- CPD programmes in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing.
RVC is ranked amongst the top Veterinary Universities in UK as it continues to produce world-class research and provides support for the veterinary profession through its referral hospitals, including the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Europe’s largest small animal hospital.
They offer programmes that are of international appeal, and enjoy from:
- Their Veterinary medicine courses are accredited by AVMA, EAEVE, RCVS and AVBC.
- Their Veterinary Nursing courses are accredited by ACOVENE and RCVS.
- Their Biological Sciences courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
9. University of Central Lancashire
At the School of Veterinary Medicine in the University of Central Lancashire, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in areas such as veterinary medicine, bioveterinary science, veterinary physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and veterinary clinical practice are taught.
For undergraduates they offer:
- Bioveterinary Sciences (Foundation Entry), BSc (Hons)
- Bioveterinary Sciences, BSc (Hons)
- Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, BVMS
For Postgraduates they offer
- Veterinary Clinical Practice, MSc.
10. Harper Adams University
Harper Adams University recently joined the top 20 of the Times universities league table, securing the title of Modern University of the Year for a second time and finishing as runner-up overall UK University of the Year.
Harper Adams is a promising institute with a long-standing reputation in animal sciences (agriculture, bio-veterinary science, vet nursing and vet physiotherapy).
They have access to on-campus farms and extensive companion animal facilities with more than 3000 animals on site. Harper Adams Veterinary School has strengths in health and life sciences.
They have a rich and authentic environment for veterinary education and research.
Harper Adams takes spot number 10 on the Top 10 Veterinary Universities in UK.
Read: Low Cost Schools in UK.
Conclusion
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