Number 1 in the UK for Veterinary Medicine (The Complete University Guide 2024)
Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge
This course provides the most thorough veterinary education available.
You will have the opportunity to learn core scientific foundations along with intensive practical and clinical training.
The course lasts 6 years:
- for the first 3 years you focus on scientific principles underlying veterinary medicine and develop your knowledge of the professional, ethical, financial, management and social responsibilities veterinary surgeons have
- for the last 3 years you’ll apply your knowledge to clinical scenarios and clinical practice, finishing off with a whole year spent in a Veterinary Hospital
If you successfully complete the first 3 years of the course, you’ll graduate with a BA (Hons) degree.
If you then successfully complete the last 3 years, you’ll graduate with a BA as well as VetMB.
Teaching and facilities
Teaching
The Department of Veterinary Medicine has an international reputation as a centre of excellence, and is performing world class veterinary research.
Our staff includes world leaders in their field.
Facilities
Our facilities include state-of-the-art equipment.
The modern facilities in the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital include:
- small animal surgical suite with 5 theatres
- active ambulatory farm animal and equine units
- fully-equipped intensive care unit
- equine surgical suite and diagnostic unit, with an MRI machine capable of imaging standing horses
- superb post-mortem suite
We also have:
- one of the leading cancer therapy units in Europe, with a linear accelerator used for delivering radiotherapy to animals with cancer
- Clinical Skills Centre, which houses interactive models and simulators where you can practise and refine essential technical skills
- small animals, farm animals and horses that live on-site provide continual opportunities to consolidate your animal handling skills
- nearby University Farm which allows all students to become involved in lambing and dairy management
You'll also have access to the impressive Cambridge University Library, one of the world’s oldest university libraries.
Course costs
When you go to university, you’ll need to consider two main costs – your tuition fees and your living costs (sometimes referred to as maintenance costs).
Your living costs will include costs related to your studies that are not covered by your tuition fees. There are some general study costs that will apply for all students – you can find details of these costs here.
Other additional course costs for Veterinary Medicine are detailed below. Please note, these are currently under review - please check back for final details in April 2024. If you have any queries about resources/materials, please contact the Department.
Equipment
Years 1 and 2:
- Two lab coats, overalls, waterproof trousers, wellington boots (with toe protector) – estimated cost £85
- Dissection kit, gloves, safety glasses, loan of locker key, loan of dog skeleton – £35
- University approved calculator (optional) – estimated cost £25
Years 4, 5 and 6:
- Basic stethoscope, digital thermometers and forceps (full details listed on Department website) – estimated cost £13. Many students choose to buy a higher quality stethoscope in later years, but this is optional.
- Yard boots (steel toe-capped leather boots) – estimated cost £30-40
- White theatre shoes – estimated cost £27
- Protective clothing for theatre – estimated cost £7
Placements
Years 1 to 3 – Pre-clinical extramural studies (EMS):
All students are required by the RVCS to complete 12 weeks during the vacations (at Cambridge, this is years 1-3). You will be expected to cover the cost of travel to your placements and subsistence while on placement. Costs will vary depending on placements chosen. If you’re concerned about covering these costs, you should approach your chosen College in the first instance as they may be able to provide travel grant support.
Years 4 to 6– Clinical extramural studies (EMS):
All students are required by the RVCS to complete 26 weeks during the vacations (of years 4-6 at Cambridge). Costs will vary depending on placements chosen. The Department of Veterinary Medicine provides a daily subsistence rate and travel allowance to assist with costs. Please note that you will be expected to cover the cost of travel and subsistence above that rate. Please contact your chosen College in the first instance to find out about any financial support that may be available.
Becoming a vet
This course is accredited by the European Association of Establishments of Veterinary Education and conforms to the Veterinary Directives of the European Union.
If you graduate with a VetMB degree, and complete all elements of the course, you’ll be able to become a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). This is the professional qualification required to enter practice as a vet.
The RCVS has certain expectations about attitudes, behaviour and performance of veterinary students.
Your future career
You’ll graduate with the clinical skills and scientific understanding required to enter practice and other areas of veterinary work.
Many of our graduates enhance their clinical skills by getting further professional qualifications in a variety of clinical disciplines.
This course also gives you the knowledge you need to enter other areas of veterinary work or biomedical science.
You’ll also be able to and understand and respond to the rapid progress being made in veterinary science.
For example, there are opportunities to enter:
- research in universities
- research council institutes
- private companies
You can also start a career with:
- government agencies
- animal charities, such as RSPCA and PDSA
- pharmaceutical companies
- academic clinical post
