Writer: Nur Amalina Shamsun Nahar for Innustame
You may want to go into marine biology, work with wild animals or be up close with cuddly dogs and cats; whatever it may be, what you want to focus on is essential when choosing a veterinary school!
With Innustame, we believe in experiential learning and looking at the corners of the world that you may not have thought about. There are veterinary schools all around the world that pride themselves on each speciality and provide unique opportunities for different regions.
This article will be a little different than others; while we have the classic veterinary schools, we will also include programmes offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as studying on the island of Saint Kitts in the Caribbean or working closely with the animals in Thailand, Costa Rica or South Africa. Keep reading to learn more about the six schools that we have chosen and researched. We will start with three schools based in Eastern and Central Europe, followed by the university on an island ending with a classic veterinary school in the UK and an experiential credit-based programme.
University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest: One of the oldest veterinary schools in Europe
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Admission requirements: Good command of English, secondary school leaving certificate, and an entrance exam (applicants may be exempted if they can prove biology and chemistry knowledge with A-levels or IB diploma)
Cost: 12 480 EUR per year
Photo by Gulyás Bianka on Unsplash
Nestled in the heart of Hungary's capital, the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest stands as a distinguished institution renowned for its unique veterinary programs. Offering both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in veterinary medicine, this university provides an unparalleled educational experience. What sets this institution apart is its multilingual approach to learning, enabling students to study in English, Hungarian, or German.
Being one of the oldest universities in Europe, it has a well-established curriculum and programmes. A typical undergraduate degree in Veterinary Medicine will take ten semesters, about five years and a half. On top of your theoretical knowledge, you will have practical experience at field stations and state farms in Hungary. Additionally, you will also work alongside practitioners in vets. The course is well-rounded and covers all aspects of veterinary medicine.
If you are interested in applying, applications are accepted on a rolling basis between January and June each year. In case of available places, applications are also accepted until the end of August. Note: Students who need visas to study in Hungary are encouraged to apply at the earliest.
Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zagreb, Croatia
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Admission requirements: Secondary School Leaving Certificate, proof of C1 knowledge of English language, CV and motivation letter
Cost: 9 000 EUR per year
Photo by Lawrence Chismorie on Unsplash
The following programme is an integrated undergraduate and graduate programme at the University of Zagreb in Croatia! The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine was established in 1919. This 6-year-long English-led programme offers students the opportunity to gain the academic title of Doctor in Veterinary Medicine.
The programme consists of 12 semesters with theoretical and practical classes in basic and clinical medicine, followed by a chosen elective in one of three: Farm Animals and Horses; Hygiene and Technology of Animal Foodstuffs and Veterinary Public Health; and Household Pets. Students will also have the chance to undergo practical work in veterinary organisations!
If this sounds like it is for you, the university offers three rounds of admission annually. Accepting up to 20 students per round, prioritising those who have completed their high school education. The application fee is 50 EUR.
General Veterinary Medicine in the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy: One of Its Kind in Slovakia
Location: Košice, Slovakia
Admission requirements: Secondary School Leaving Certificate, CV and written entrance examination for Biology and Chemistry
Cost: 8 950 EUR per year
Photo by Katerina Bartosova on Unsplash
Similar to the University of Zagreb, the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy (UVMP) in Košice offers a 6-year English programme in General Veterinary Medicine. On top of that, they also offer other degree programmes in Animal Science and Veterinary Nurse for foreign and domestic students. UVMP currently stands as Slovakia's sole one-faculty Veterinary university, catering to aspiring veterinarians and pharmaceutical experts alike, with a comprehensive spectrum of undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs.
When graduating from the programme, graduates should know about veterinary care, laboratory practices, agriculture and food hygiene practices relating to animals, and even environmental measures and protection. UVMP also offers open days for interested students in their given courses, so if this sounds like it's for you this is something you could try too.
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM)
Location: Saint Kitts
Admission requirements: An Undergraduate Degree or High School with one year of university equivalent, 150+ hours of veterinary work experience, two references and a personal statement
Cost: $18,000 to $24,000 per semester
Photo by Simone Mascellari 🇮🇹 on Unsplash
Next up, is one of my personal favourites and it is the Ross University of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) on the island state of Saint Kitts. What better way to embrace your animal-loving side than on a sunny island?
RUSVM offers a programme in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 10 semesters and can be completed in 3.25 years the earliest, being one of the quickest and tedious out there. This programme includes a 20-week clinical experience set within one of their 29 affiliate universities dispersed across five different countries. Upon successful completion, you should graduate with a US and Canadian-accredited degree. RUSVM also offers flexibility with starting your studies with three admission rounds throughout the year: January, May and September. However, applications are rather tedious and ensuring you have all your documents in check would be important. For tips on making your visa application process a smoother journey, check out our Instagram post!
Royal Veterinary College: From saving horses to establishing a renowned college with four animal hospitals
Location: London, United Kingdom
Admission requirements: A’s in A-Level Biology, Chemistry and other subjects or 6 in 3 IB subjects. You also need prior work experience of 70 hours.
Cost: £41,500 (per year for the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine)
Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash
Established in 1971, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has been pushing frontiers in animal medical research and science. They are currently the largest and oldest veterinary schools in the UK, with four animal hospitals across the UK. With the mission of discovering and translating new knowledge, they pride themselves on reinstilling and building foundational knowledge by increasing the complexity yearly. If you are interested in research and development, this school may be a good choice.
RVC offers numerous Bachelors and Masters programmes. From veterinary medicine and nursing to biomedical animal research. For the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, you should expect it to be a 5-year degree. In the 4th and 5th years, you undergo a clinical placement in clinics and hospitals and gain hands-on and real-life experience.
Loop Abroad: Spend a vet summer semester in a zoo or wildlife while gaining credits and hours!
Location: Costa Rica, Thailand or South Africa
Admission requirements: Good command of English,18 years and above, high school diploma or equivalent, three credits in college-level biology or equivalent with a grade of C or >70%.
Cost: 14 weeks in Thailand would be $21,950. It includes tuition, accommodation, transportation within Thailand and meals.
Photo by Adrián Valverde on Unsplash
A common requirement when applying for veterinary schools is having a certain number of work experience or practice hours. If you want to gain some hours but would also like to spend the semester abroad and immerse yourself in a new culture, Loop Abroad would be a great place to start.
Loop Abroad offers semesters abroad in Costa Rica, Thailand or South Africa. It is a unique learning opportunity where you will be able to interact with the respective regions’ animal clinics and sanctuaries, learning about their culture while building your veterinary knowledge.
For the semester in Thailand, you can look forward to working in an elephant sanctuary, a dog clinic and a turtle island where you will be certified in scuba diving! This programme is definitely for those in for an adventure and open to learning in a new environment and going way beyond their comfort zone.
So, what now?
In a world filled with different opportunities for aspiring veterinarians, another world of diverse Veterinary universities beckons. From the historic halls of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest to the sun-soaked island of St Kitts in the Ross University, each university offers a unique opportunity. Take your time to explore your options, be curious and choose one that suits you best!
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