Veterinary Medicine & Surgery Degree (5 year)

Information on the five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery programme.

A vet student holds a rabbit in a clinical environment

By studying towards a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree at the University of Edinburgh, you will achieve a world-class education and an internationally accredited qualification in a multi-cultural and thriving environment. 

  • Widely and internationally accredited degree (RCVS, AVMA, EAEVE, AVBC, and SAVC).
  • Consistently ranked as one of the top Vet Schools in the UK and internationally
  • High graduate employment rates (93%+) 
  • £300m+ investment in state-of-the-art purpose-built campus facilities 
  • Located on a campus with one of the highest concentrations of animal science expertise in Europe 

Entry Requirements & How to Apply

As part of our admissions process, we firstly assess your application on the basis of academic and non-academic suitability to the programme. Selected candidates are then invited to attend an interview. Offers are made on the basis of performance at interview. 

We do not offer deferred entry so you will need to apply by the mid-October UCAS deadline of the year prior to your intended year of entry. Please note that the specific deadline date can vary slight by year. Up-to-date deadlines are published on the How to Apply page.


Information on the courses which make up the degree programme is available on the University's Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study portal. Please note that you are not able to choose any outside courses when studying Veterinary Medicine.

Years 1-2: Foundation Phase

Students learn the normal functions of the animal body from cell level to the whole organism. Practical classes and animal handling are taught, as well as clinical and professional skills.

Extra Mural Studies (EMS) are a key component of the degree and students are required to complete 10 weeks of Animal Husbandry placements during the Foundation Phase.

Years 3-5: Clinical Phase

Clinical years build on the Foundation Phase and students learn about disease and treatment. Species-specific courses are introduced along with a focus on pathology, pharmacology, and veterinary public health.

Final Year is made up of clinical rotations at our on-campus hospitals and clinical practices, giving students real-life exposure to the work of a professional vet.

Students are also required to complete 20 weeks of clinical EMS placements during the Clinical Phase.


All UK veterinary programmes include Extra-Mural Studies - this is mandated by UK law and overseen by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The aim of EMS is to enable students to gain practical experience in as many aspects of veterinary work as possible, including the handling of animals and the achievement of proficiency in routine techniques.

Specifically, EMS should enable students to:

  • understand the practice and economics of animal management systems;
  • understand practice economics and practice management;
  • understand medical and surgical treatments of farm, equine, companion, exotic and laboratory animals;
  • develop communication skills for all aspects of veterinary work;
  • expand their experience to those disciplines and species not fully covered within the University;
  • appreciate the importance of animal welfare in animal production and in the practice of veterinary medicine;
  • gain experience to help them appreciate the ethical responsibilities of the veterinary surgeon in relation to individual clients, animals, the community and society.

Within the framework specified by the RCVS, students choose their own placements to best align with their unique learning needs and interests. Here at Edinburgh, we have a dedicated team which supports students throughout the EMS process.

EMS is completed during holiday (vacation) periods and is generally unpaid, with additional funding available for UK students through the Student Loans Company in recognition of this. Edinburgh students complete a wide range of diverse and interesting placements, building on the skills they have been taught at university and developing into world-class graduates.

There is a requirement for students to complete 10 weeks of Animal Husbandry EMS (AHEMS) during the Foundation Phase of the programme (Years 1 and 2 of the five-year programme).

Then, during the Clinical Phase (Years 3, 4 and 5 of the five-year programme), a further 20 weeks of Clinical EMS (CEMS) must be completed.


An average day is a mix of lectures and practicals.  Lectures cover all aspects of anatomy and are often illustrated with case examples to help understand how structure is related to function and how this is affected by disease or injury.  Practicals then follow on the same topic to put into practise the learning. 

Live animals feature in classes from year one.  Staff pets are used in clinical skills classes, teaching horses, cows and sheep live on campus and are used for practical handling classes, and we have an on-site exotic animal handling unit available for students.

We work hard to find the best ways to relate the connections between basic sciences and the clinical work of a veterinarian to inspire and motivate our students.

Here is an example of how a typical week looks in Year 1:

TimeMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
15:00 - 15:50     
09:00 - 09:50

Lecture

Animal Body

Anatomy 5 / Head 1

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Animal Body

Cell Biology 3 / Genetics 1

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Animal Life

Sheep Husbandry

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Professional & Clinical Skills

Ethics

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Animal Life

Animal Welfare

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

10:00 - 10:50

Lecture

Animal Body

Anatomy 6 / Head 2

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Animal Body

Cell Biology 4 / Genetics 2

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Animal Life

Lambing

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Animal Body

Anatomy 7 / Vertebrae

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

Lecture

Animal Body

Blood Cells

Lecture Theatre 1

Full Year Group

11:10 - 12:00

Practical

Animal Body

Skull 1

Dissection Room

Groups AB

Practical

Animal Body

DNA

Lab 1

Group C

Practical

Animal Body

Skin Histology

Lab 2

Group AB

Practical

Animal Body

DNA

Lab 1

Group D

Tutorial

Animal Body

Room 1.42

Group A1

12:10 - 13:00

Tutorial

Animal Body

Room 1.42

Group A2

Tutorial

Animal Body

Room 1.44

Group C2

   
13:00 - 14:00Lunch Break    
14:00 - 14:50

Practical

Animal Body

Skull 1

Dissection Room

Groups CD

Practical

Animal Body

DNA

Lab 1

Group A

Practical

Animal Life

Cattle

Dairy Farm

Group A

Practical

Animal Life

Horses

Equine Yard

Group B

FREE TIME for

Sport and 

Other Activities

16:00 - 17:00     

Understanding which fee category applies to you is an important step in deciding if the course if right for you. 

  • UK nationals applying for Veterinary Medicine from high school will receive full or partial funding to cover their tuition fees. 
  • International students, including students from the EU with the exception of those from the Republic of Ireland, are considered at the full fee rate.
  • Students with a prior degree are also considered at the full fee rate regardless of nationality or domicile.

For more information on tuition fees, funding and living costs, please see:


Going to university can be a daunting experience, especially if moving overseas and/or away from friends and family. In recognition of this, the School provides strong student support services and fosters a close-knit community of students and staff.

Student Advisers

Each year group has a dedication Student Adviser. This is the first point of contact for anything students wish to seek further guidance or advice on, and Student Advisers can support students through any challenges they may face throughout their time at university.

Professional Mentors

Every student is assigned a Professional Mentor. This is an academic member of staff who will support you throughout your academic journey and who will support the development of your individual personal and professional portfolio.

Both the Student Adviser and the Professional Mentor work together as part of our award winning student support system.

Student Support Manager

We also have a dedicated Student Support Manager on campus who is available to students for support issues and offers help, guidance and a listening ear when needed.

VetPALs

Adapting to studying for a veterinary degree takes time and can be challenging, with students on the Graduate Entry Programme often commenting that the vet degree is quite different from their previous degree.

The aim of VetPALs is to help you with this transition.

VetPALs is our peer-assisted learning model and provides student-to-student support.

Senior students facilitate discussion on specific topics with junior students in an initiative that has proven to be high effective

 


 

Pentland Hills from Easter Bush

The Easter Bush Campus is a purpose-built home for veterinary teaching, research and practice.

Set against the idyllic backdrop of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, the Campus lies six miles south of the city centre. It is easily accessible by bus and has ample, free car parking facilities.

The University of Edinburgh and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies are committed to sustainability. With electric car charging points, hedgehog tunnels, recycling initiatives, an apiary for bees, allotments, shower facilities for bike commuters and bike safety checks, and a solar farm in development, we’re proud to call Easter Bush a sustainable campus.


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