University of Edinburgh

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Veterinary Medicine (5-year programme)

University of Edinburgh

Faculty:Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
Degree:Bachelor
Field of Study:Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Length:5 Year(s)
Scholarships:1
Careers:Veterinary Assistants and Animal Health Technologists

Description:

This programme is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the RCVS and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE). Our graduates can practise veterinary medicine throughout the UK, Europe, North America and Australasia. The BVM&S is the equivalent of the North American Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), with the same standing worldwide.

Prerequisites:

These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
    Minimum entry requirements
    • SQA Highers: AAAAB. Five Highers to be achieved by the end of S5, including Chemistry (Grade A) and Biology (Grade A) and either Maths or Physics. If Biology has not been studied in fifth year, it should be taken in sixth year to Higher level. If a science subject is not able to be taken in S5, we can accept the subject in S6 providing five Highers have been taken prior to S6. SQA Advanced Highers: BB at Advanced Higher in Chemistry and another science subject. If Physics has not previously been studied to Standard Grade or Higher level, it should be studied in sixth year to either Standard Grade, Intermediate 2 or Higher level.
    • A Levels: AAA to include Chemistry, Biology and a subject approved for entry to the veterinary programme. If Physics has not been studied to A Level, a good pass is required at GCSE. Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are not considered as a third subject.
    • IB: Overall score of 38 points (including TOK/EE) to include Grades of 766 in HL Chemistry (7), Biology and Mathematics or Physics. Where HL Mathematics or Physics is not possible, another subject at HL may be accepted at 6, plus 6 at SL Mathematics or Physics. If Physics does not form part of the IB Diploma, candidates must also provide evidence of a qualification at a minimum SQA Standard Grade 2 or GCSE Grade B, or equivalent, in these subjects. Candidates should contact the Admissions Office directly for advice.

    Additional requirements
    Approved subjects for entry
    Please refer to the current list of approved subjects considered for entry.

    Graduates
    A 2:1 honours degree in an appropriate science subject. Graduates with a degree in a non-science subject can still apply for the five-year programme but must have gained high grades in school-level science qualifications in Chemistry and Biology. Graduates with a science degree but with not enough key core science subjects covered and achieved at a high enough standard for the 4-year Graduate Entry Programme, will be considered for the 5-year programme only. Graduate applicants accepted on to the course will have to pay fees on a full-cost basis.

    Academic transcripts
    All candidates applying with a first degree or international qualifications must submit a copy of their transcript showing subjects and grades achieved to date. The transcript should be submitted by 22 October.

    Practical experience
    Applicants should provide detailed information on their practical experience (number of days/week spent and species worked with) in the appropriate section of their UCAS form. Candidates should be aware that the selectors can only take into account work already undertaken and not work planned. Applicants may receive an offer conditional on gaining further specified work experience.

    All UCAS candidates are required to complete and return a Work Experience Summary form (WES) to the Admissions Office prior to the deadline of 22 October. Please note that applications submitted without a WES will be considered incomplete.
    See the BVM&S website to download the form and for further guidance on work experience.

    Other entry qualifications
    All International and EU applicants, whose first language is not English, must sit an English proficiency test prior to application.

    Fitness to practice
    The University has a responsibility to ensure that students studying on a programme that involves practical training in a clinical environment, and that leads to a professional registerable qualification, are fit to practise.
    This is assessed according to the requirements and standards of the profession the student wishes to enter. Students will be provided with further information on admission.

    Disability
    Veterinary medicine is a practical subject and students must be able to handle and examine all animals safely and humanely. Applicants with a disability, health problem or allergy that may impact upon their ability to carry out practical procedures are invited to discuss this in confidence before making a formal application.

    Health questionnaire
    All holders of Unconditional Firm offers are required to complete a Health Questionnaire prior to entry to the programme, regardless of whether a disability or health condition was declared on application or not.
    Application Notes : Selection
    There are usually 72 places for UK/EU applicants and 53 for international and graduate applicants each year. Competition for places is therefore extremely intense. The majority of applications are from candidates of high academic calibre. Unfortunately, meeting the minimum academic entry requirements does not guarantee an offer. Each application is considered individually. Academic qualifications play an important part in the selection process but close attention is also given to non-academic factors, including work experience, motivation, interests and attainments. An interview forms part of the selection procedure for all offered places.

    To be shortlisted for interview, applicants must normally score highly in all of these aspects. Interviews normally take place between December and early March each year, exploring the information in the UCAS application and WES form, covering suitability for, and interest in, veterinary medicine and career exploration to date.

    North American applicants
    The School has a substantial number of North American candidates applying for both the four- and five-year BVM&S programmes. All North American graduate applications should be made through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) on the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges website.

    All North American high school graduate applicants should apply via UCAS.

    Late applications
    We will consider late applications from graduate and international applicants for both the five-year and four-year programme normally up until December each year. However, before making a formal application, you should contact the Admissions Team.

    Application guide
    You can find out more about the application process and requirements for veterinary medicine in the BVM&S application guide booklet.
    Additional Admission Requirements:
      You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

      If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:
      • IELTS Academic module overall 7.0 with 7.0 in each component
      • TOEFL-iBT 100 or above with 23 in each section
      • Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency overall 185 with 185 in each component
      • Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
      • Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

      SQA and GCSE
      For SQA and GCSE students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
      • SQA National 5 Grade C
      • SQA Standard Grade 3
      • SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
      • SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
      • GCSE Grade B
      • IB Standard Level Grade 4

      * We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.

      Modified on July 30, 2016