Veterinary school

A veterinary school is a tertiary educational institution, or part of such an institution, which is involved in the education of future veterinary practitioners (veterinarians). The entry criteria, structure, teaching methodology and nature of veterinary programs offered at veterinary schools vary considerably around the world.

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In the U.S., a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree (D.V.M.) (or in the Veterinary Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania, a degree of veterinary medical doctor (V.M.D.) is awarded) is a four-year program. The program generally consists of 2¹⁄₂ to 3 years of mostly traditional classroom coursework followed by the clinical rotations. Currently, unlike human medical school, a subsequent internship and/or residency are not required, but are optional to those who choose to seek further education and possible accredidation. Unsurprisingly, the number of veterinarians pursuing internships and/or residencies will continue to increase as the understanding of veterinary medicine continues to grow greater.

In the UK there are seven veterinary schools, at the universities of Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham and The Royal Veterinary College (London). The course lasts five years (six years at Cambridge). Each leads to a degree that is recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), allowing the graduate to practice in the UK and the EU. Degrees from Glasgow, Edinburgh, and from The Royal Veterinary College are all accredited by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

In Australiasia there are seven veterinary schools, at the universities of Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, Massey (NZ), Murdoch, Charles Sturt and James Cook. Adelaide university has announced a 6 year course in Veterinary Science to begin in 2008.

Admission to any of the above institutions requires extremely good academic achievements as well as plenty of varied practical work and other extracurricular achievements, making the applicant outstanding. It is widely known that Vet Med has the most competitive admission procedure due to the high applicant to places ratio (in some cases the course is over-applied by more than 15 times).

Links

• History of Veterinary Medicine in Pennsylvania
• List of schools of veterinary medicine

For veterinarian hopefuls

• Quick & Dirty Vet School Application Guide
• Vet Students Abroad