At Surrey we have created an exciting five year Veterinary Medicine degree programme centred around a 'one health-one medicine' theme. In working with our local clinical partners including the Pirbright institute, the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Liphook Equine Hospital, Fitzpatrick Referrals, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Westpoint Veterinary Group we will engage students in a range of clinical and research disciplines from day one.
Our exciting five-year Veterinary Medicine and Science degree programme, constructed around a ‘one health – one medicine’ philosophy, has been created to foster interdisciplinary collaborations to improve human and animal health. In addition to studying towards your professional veterinary medicine qualification, you will receive training in professional and business skills and will benefit from using state-of-the-art facilities, such as our Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre, Veterinary Pathology Facility and cutting-edge technology in engineering, materials sciences and physics. This will allow you to have hands-on practical, clinical and research training from the start of your programme.
The School of Veterinary Medicine will work in partnership with a number of veterinary practices, such as the Liphook Equine Hospital, Westpoint Farm Vets and Fitzpatrick Referrals. They provide an outstanding clinical training experience, delivered by specialist veterinary surgeons around a large and varied caseload, in expert, fully equipped veterinary practices.
Find out more about the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine.
Our Veterinary Medicine and Science programme is designed to prepare you for a stimulating career as a veterinary surgeon. The course focuses on developing your clinical skills and you will be supported through a range of both core and self-selected learning opportunities. These will be delivered using systems based modules that comprise taught theory, clinical contextualisation and practical hands-on training.
A unique aspect of our curriculum is the close liaison with the BBSRC Pirbright Institute, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Defra Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency. These partnerships will provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills in areas such as research, surveillance, epidemiology, veterinary pathology, risk analysis, veterinary public health, policy, regulation and state veterinary medicine.
We have also developed an exciting collaborative initiative with both North Carolina State and São Paulo Universities to provide teaching, summer scholarships and research exchanges as part of the University Global Partnership Network (UGPN). This network aims to deliver not only research with a global impact, but also an international student experience. This provides you with the opportunity to join a profession that will be at the centre of the response to global issues concerning animal and public health.
Not only is our curriculum designed to provide you with the training to qualify as a veterinary surgeon, but it will also ensure that you have a strong grounding in the core basic sciences underpinning veterinary medicine.
In the first two years of the programme, the focus will be on understanding the science of veterinary medicine, with an emphasis on the normal healthy animal. Scientific principles will be taught alongside clinical and research examples to provide a better understanding of how the material is relevant and important to a practising veterinary surgeon. You will also spend time developing animal handling and laboratory skills.
In Years 3 and 4, you will further develop your knowledge of clinical medicine and surgery, clinical
reasoning, pathology, veterinary public health and the interface between veterinary and human health and applied research. With support, you will select a number of learning opportunities appropriate to you and your career aspirations (for example, equine, farm animal, companion animal, zoo and wildlife medicine).
You will also have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of research projects, ranging from clinical research at our associate partner practices to cutting-edge research in some of our world-leading international partner institutions.
Year 5 is mostly lecture-free, providing you with the opportunity to practise your new skills with the support, and under the supervision, of professionals at our associate partners. You will also undertake a number of core rotations in different species such as companion animal, farm and equine practice. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to develop more advanced skills and understanding in the species areas that you may wish to work with when you qualify as a veterinary surgeon.
Extramural placements are an essential component of our programme, providing students with practical experience that will enhance their University-based studies.
In accordance with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons guidelines, all students will be required to undertake a minimum of twelve weeks of Animal Husbandry Extramural Studies (AHEMS) in Years 1 to 3 and 26 weeks of Clinical EMS (CEMS) from Year 2 onwards.
Our teaching methods will develop your problem solving skills, train you to use essential equipment and support lifelong learning.
The curriculum is structured around the different body systems, covering all common companion and farm species, in addition to wildlife and exotic species.
Each module will be integrated horizontally, covering a wide range of subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, pharmacology, diagnostic techniques, as well as animal welfare and clinical medicine.
In addition to University of Surrey academics, part of your teaching will be delivered by joint appointments with our associate veterinary partners and world-class veterinary institutes. There will also be opportunities for international exchange programmes, distance learning and shared teaching with our global veterinary partners.
The School of Veterinary Medicine’s campus location provides ample opportunity for cross-faculty teaching, so students may be able to include subjects such as engineering, physics and materials sciences in their degree.
Training will take place in the new School of Veterinary Medicine academic building, our state-of-the-art campus-based Clinical Skills Centre, the Veterinary Pathology facility and at our associate partner veterinary practices and institutes.
You will be assessed on all aspects of your training, including your knowledge and understanding, your skills and your professionalism. To help you with your studies, there will be a wide range of formative assessments with feedback.
Formal assessments must be passed each year for progression on the programme.
Students will also be required to keep a portfolio and skills diary.
The new purpose-built Veterinary School buildings will include dedicated teaching spaces, break-out rooms and research laboratories. Our Guildford campus also offers state-of-the-art veterinary pathology teaching, research and diagnostic facilities, as well as a new world-class veterinary Clinical Skills Centre.
The Centre will provide livestock and companion animal handling and examination areas, a locomotion laboratory, a haptics laboratory, an anatomy laboratory, a mock veterinary practice, seminar rooms and an interpersonal skills training centre.
A student-led livestock farm will provide ample opportunity for animal handling and husbandry experience.
Find out more about the University of Surrey School of Veterinary Medicine.
A Veterinary Medicine and Science degree from Surrey provides an excellent platform for a variety of careers.
Graduates develop the in-depth scientific knowledge that underpins clinical veterinary practice. These skills will open up a wide range of career options, including veterinary clinical practice, research, pathology, conservation medicine, pharmaceutical industry, state veterinary medicine, food security, veterinary public health and policy.
There’s no limit to where your degree could take you.
Come to one of our Open Days, when you can tour the campus, speak to students and academic staff, see our student accommodation and ask as many questions as you like. In the meantime, order a personal prospectus – tailored to only include the subjects that interest you.
GCSE - Minimum of five subjects at grade A or above to include Chemistry, Biology and Physics (or double science). Mathematics and English Language are also required at a minimum of grade B.
A-level Chemistry and Biology required at grade A.
Applicants are expected to have gained at least four weeks of animal-related work experience, which could include general veterinary practice, farm, stable yard, kennels, rescue centre, research laboratory or abattoir work.
All short-listed applicants will be required to attend for interview and assessment.
7.0 IELTS minimum overall
6.5 IELTS minimum in each sub-skill
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Award | Course Length | Professional Training | UCAS code | KIS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BVMSci | 5 years | D100 |
* Subject to validation
We offer a range of bursaries, scholarships and other financial support.
See course information for students applying to start in September 2013.
Phone: +44 (0)1483 681 681
