Career Prospects

You will be entitled to practise as a veterinarian as soon as you have earned your BVM&S degree and registered as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The reciprocal arrangement between the RCVS and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) allows BVM&S graduates to register to practice in Australia and New Zealand without requiring any further qualifications. We are also accredited by The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will recognise your degree as equivalent to those awarded by veterinary colleges in the United States following a successful pass in the NAVLE.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a member of, and approved by, EAEVE.

However, since the UK left the European Union in January 2021, UK veterinary degrees are no longer automatically recognised by EU member states. 

Each county in the EU/EEA will therefore recognise your UK degree based on their own rules and regulations, and some countries may require you to take further exams before you can work in their country. You should check the local rules and regulations in the country you are planning to work in after your graduation. A list of competent authorities within the EU is listed on the Federation of Veterinarians in Europe (FVE) website:

Our graduates go on to enjoy a wide range of careers in veterinary medicine, including positions in:

• Small animal practices
• Mixed practices
• Equine practices
• Farm/livestock environments
• Wild animal environments
• Wildlife conservation
• Military support
• Industry
• Research
• Government
• Academia

For further details on careers within Veterinary Medicine, please refer to the Prospects website.

For the latest information on working in the UK after studies, please consult guidance from the Student Immigration Service: