Applications
All applications, including international applications, are handled by UCAS.
You must be honest with the veterinary schools you and considering applying to and inform them directly of your circumstances. They will then be able to advise you of their position. Several veterinary schools perform DBS (formerly CRB) checks on incoming students.
Always be up front and honest with your chosen veterinary schools and inform them directly of any history of mental illness you may have. Failure to tell them before you start a course may affect how your history is subsequently appraised. Ask for details of their fitness to practise processes; these will give you a good idea of what the individual schools look for in their candidates.
Contact the admissions department at your intended veterinary school and ask for advice. The contact details for each veterinary school can be found on their websites, addresses are listed on our links page.
Work experience could be in a local veterinary practice or anywhere in which you would be able to gain experience of handling animals, including livestock and farm animals. Present a CV and covering letter, and state that you are thinking of pursuing a career as a vet. Don’t be disheartened if there is no work experience available. Work experience is not considered a substitute for academic qualification and veterinary schools will select their candidates primarily on their academic record.
The typical offer does vary between veterinary schools, but generally it is three A’s at A-level. A small number of veterinary schools offer at AAB and A*A*A. For Scottish Highers, the typical offer is two Advanced Highers at BB and five Highers at AAAAB, and again there is variation between the veterinary school. For instance, some require AA at Advanced Highers.
See the Applications page for more on entry requirements.
UK veterinary schools welcome international students. Entry requirements are the same as for domestic students, but you may need to approach the veterinary schools directly in order to see how your qualifications and grades translate into the UK system.
For more information on visa and immigration issues, visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) is another useful organisation, so be sure to visit the UKBA website.
Useful information about financial help for overseas students can be accessed from the UKCISA and British Council websites. School-specific scholarships or bursaries may be available through the veterinary schools.
All applications are made through UCAS and with a deadline of the 15th of October for the intake of September the following year, so applications are made just under a one year in advance of the start of the course.
At vet school
Several veterinary schools perform DBS (formerly CRB) checks on incoming students and any history relating to a criminal record should have been picked up at that point in those veterinary schools. If, for whatever reason, you are on a veterinary course and your criminal record is undeclared, if the school were to find out before you informed them yourself then it is likely that the outcome would be severe. It is advised that you are open with your school and inform them of the situation as soon as possible.
Inform your veterinary school about any history of mental illness you may have. Although these issues can be difficult to discuss, not informing your school may mean that they do not provide all the support and reasonable adjustments that you would be entitled to if this history comes to light in any other way.
Ask for any sources of help which are available to you. Universities have support systems for their students, with mental health professionals as part of those systems. Links to relevant support organisations can be found on the At vet school page.
After graduation
In order to practise as a vet in the UK it is necessary to register with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. See the RCVS website for more information.
Information on this can be found on our CPD page. The British Veterinary Association also has a good resource on CPD.
