The Best UK Universities for Veterinary Medicine Degree

Studying veterinary medicine in the UK will equip graduates with the knowledge and ability to assist with the surgical treatment and care of animals.

Veterinary medicine shares much in common with regular medicine programmes, and students will find a significant degree of crossover in terms of modules and topics covered. Courses generally last five to six years, and once you graduate, you can register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and begin your career.

Learn more about the top UK veterinary medicine schools (Guardian University Guide 2026) below. If you wish to begin applying to study veterinary medicine in the UK, arrange a free consultation with StudyIn today.

Top UK Universities for Veterinary Medicine

1. University of Cambridge

Modern facilities in the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital at the University of Cambridge include a five-theatre small animal surgical suite, a fully equipped intensive care unit, an equine surgical suite, and a diagnostic unit with an MRI machine capable of imaging standing horses. Small animals, farm animals, and horses are housed on-site to provide continual opportunities to consolidate your animal handling skills. The nearby University Farm also allows all students to participate in lambing and dairy management.

Please note: Cambridge’s veterinary course was reviewed for possible closure in late 2025 and early 2026 due to the cost of delivering clinical services. In February 2026, the university’s General Board confirmed the course would continue, with admissions proceeding as normal and the decision reviewed again after a year.

2. University of Edinburgh

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh was the highest-ranked veterinary school in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework and remains one of the top-ranked schools in the UK.

Extra-mural studies placements (EMS) allow students to practise their animal handling and clinical skills further, increase their confidence in their work experience and provide valuable insight into the real world of work. The School is fully accredited by the UK’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

3. University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool Institute of Veterinary Science has two on-site working farms, two referral hospitals, and three first-opinion practices, enabling undergraduates to gain valuable hands-on experience in all aspects of veterinary practice. In a recent national student survey of universities, the Institute was voted second for veterinary science.

4. University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow Veterinary School is one of a small number of vet schools in Europe to have achieved accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association for its undergraduate programmes. In the National Student Survey, the School of Veterinary Medicine has ranked highly in the UK for veterinary science.

5. University of Nottingham

The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham has ranked highly in the National Student Survey (NSS) since its first graduating cohort in 2011. In a recent Association of Veterinary Students survey, Nottingham was ranked first for career progression preparation, extra-mural studies structure and student welfare.

6. University of Bristol

The Veterinary School at the University of Bristol offers three undergraduate degrees and one taught Master’s programme and has been training veterinary professionals for over 50 years. Academics in the School of Veterinary Sciences are leaders in their field, and their research helps inform national policies that can lead to developments within veterinary practice.

7. Royal Veterinary College

The Royal Veterinary College was the first veterinary school in the world to achieve full accreditation from both the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). It continues to hold full AVMA accreditation today, alongside RCVS recognition in the UK and reciprocal recognition from the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council. Recent figures show that more than 90% of RVC’s veterinary medicine graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduating.

8. University of Surrey

The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey is one of the UK’s newest veterinary schools, welcoming its first students in 2014. State-of-the-art facilities worth £45m include a Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre, a Veterinary Pathology Centre and modern lecture theatres and laboratories. Surrey has consistently reported strong graduate outcomes, with recent HESA data showing all of its veterinary medicine and science graduates in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating.

Other Universities That Offer Veterinary Medicine

Harper and Keele Veterinary School

The veterinary medicine degree at HKVS is intensive, with 18 to 35 hours of contact time per week, varying by year. Clinical rotations in years four and five have the highest contact hours, and early years include structured online learning to complement contact hours.

The curriculum undergoes ongoing review to enhance the learning experience and prepare students for diverse veterinary careers. Students also fulfil RCVS requirements with extramural studies, leading to a study year ranging from 35 to 45 weeks across the five-year programme.

University of Central Lancashire

The University of Central Lancashire’s BVMS degree is tailored to meet RCVS requirements and equips students for diverse veterinary roles. The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum covering science, clinical skills, animal behaviour, disease management, and human-animal relationships. From the first year, students gain practical experience through clinical placements.

The university supports students with a dedicated wellbeing programme and provides reduced entry requirements for those who have faced academic challenges. Its innovative teaching approach uses digital technologies for interactive learning, replacing traditional lectures.

Veterinary Medicine Scholarships in the UK

• Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies UK Graduate/International Scholarship: This scholarship offers £5,000 per year to UK graduate or international students pursuing a BVM&S full-time at the University of Edinburgh.
• RVC International Scholarships for BVetMed: The RVC BVetMed programme offers a full fee waiver Merit scholarship to a distinguished international student based on admissions performance, including interview scores, academic history, and application quality.

Study Veterinary Medicine in the UK

If you need further advice about what is required to study veterinary medicine in the UK, arrange a free consultation today. Our international consultants can help you find the right course to study in the UK.

FAQs

How many years of study is veterinary medicine?

The course duration for a veterinary medicine undergraduate degree across the top vet schools in the UK is five to six years.

Is a veterinarian a medical doctor?

Yes, a veterinarian is a medical doctor with a degree in veterinary science.

Which is the best veterinary school in the UK?

The Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital at the University of Cambridge and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh are consistently ranked among the best veterinary schools in the UK, though the right fit depends on your grades, budget and preferred learning style.

Is veterinary school expensive?

Home students pay around £9,790 a year for veterinary medicine in England for 2026/27, while international students typically pay between £33,000 and £70,000 a year, depending on the university.

Do you need to be good at maths to be a vet?

To secure admission to any vet school in the UK, you must have a solid grasp of maths. Maths plays an important role in ensuring appropriate diagnostic testing and medication dosing.