Veterinary Medicine and Science

Why choose this course
-Study a hands-on curriculum, designed in collaboration with our partnership of veterinary practices and scientific research institutes, and learn to meet the diverse needs of companion, production, equine, laboratory animals, and exotic and wildlife species.

-Access our multimillion-pound facilities, including our Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre and Veterinary Pathology Centre, to practise anaesthesia, catheterisation, dissection and more.

-Spend your final year completing clinical intramural rotations (IMR) to develop an awareness of working as a veterinary professional in a clinical environment, under the supervision of qualified professionals.

-Learn from academics 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 a veterinary surgeon once you’ve graduated.

What you will study
On this course, you’ll learn about different body systems, covering all common companion, equine and production animal 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. This will provide you with 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. You will also gain more advanced skills in handling and restraint, including clinical examination of the common domestic species.

In your third year, you’ll delve deeper into clinical medicine and surgery, diagnostic techniques, pharmacology, scientific methods and evidence-based veterinary medicine. You’ll also get the opportunity to engage in research, including critically evaluating protocols, data and literature.

During your fourth year, your modules are species-based and you’ll revisit anaesthesia, surgery and patient care on visits to the neuter clinic and some of our partners. You’ll learn about sustainability, equality, diversity and inclusion in veterinary practice, in a One Health context, as well as zoological medicine. You’ll also 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 veterinarians.

In your fifth year, you’ll complete clinical intramural rotations in our extensive network of veterinary practices to further your knowledge, competences, attributes and skills.