Studying veterinary medicine abroad

What is veterinary medicine?

Veterinary medicine focuses on the health and care of animals. It covers the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases in animals, ranging from pets and livestock to wildlife and exotic species.

As a veterinarian you will work to improve animal welfare, public health, and food safety by monitoring and controlling zoonotic diseases, which can spread between animals and humans.

The field also involves research on animal physiology, genetics, pharmacology, and advancing medical treatments and surgical techniques.

Veterinary medicine also plays a crucial role in protecting biodiversity and supporting the relationship between humans and animals.

How long is a veterinary medicine degree?

A veterinary medicine degree normally requires a minimum of 6-8 years of post-secondary education. You usually complete an undergraduate degree in a related subject first, before moving on to veterinary school, where you can study for a masters degree that lasts around 4 years.

In veterinary school, the curriculum includes classroom study, laboratory work, and hands-on clinical training. You will cover subjects such as animal anatomy and physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and surgery. You also have the opportunity to gain experience in diagnosing and treating animal diseases yourself, through internships and clinical rotations.

Once you have completed your degree, you will need to consider gaining the appropriate accreditation to practise as a veterinarian. You might want to specialise further, which can add extra time to your degree.

Is veterinary medicine a bachelor’s or masters degree?

In many countries around the world a veterinary medicine degree is a postgraduate (or graduate level) degree.

For instance, in the US and Canada, you must first complete an undergraduate degree in a related field before you will be admitted to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, which is a 4 year professional degree.

In other countries, such as the UK or Australia, veterinary medicine is offered as an undergraduate degree (sometimes called direct entry), which allows students to enter straight into a degree that results in the award required. You will usually be awarded a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) or equivalent, normally after 5-6 years of study.

Before you choose the course you want to study, make sure that you understand whether you will need to first study a specific degree, or if there are any further requirements.

Why study veterinary medicine abroad?

Choosing to study veterinary medicine abroad will give you a chance to gain a global perspective on animal healthcare, often with access to diverse species, advanced facilities, and unique clinical experiences.

Many countries have well-ranked veterinary schools with specialised degrees, research opportunities, and passionate faculty, enhancing your learning and career prospects.

Immersing yourself in a different culture can also help to improve your language skills, adaptability, and intercultural communication, all qualities that are valuable in today’s globalised veterinary field.

Additionally, studying abroad can open doors to a wider veterinary network and potential job opportunities worldwide, making it an enriching experience for you as an international student.

What you will study

In a veterinary medicine degree, students study a wide range of subjects covering animal health, physiology, and disease treatment.

The curriculum begins with foundational sciences, including biology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, to build an understanding of animal body systems.

Students then progress to more specialised courses in pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and immunology to learn about diseases, their causes, and treatments.

In a veterinary medicine degree you will study a wide range of subjects covering animal health, physiology, and disease treatment.

The curriculum begins with foundational sciences, including biology, anatomy, and biochemistry, to build an understanding of animal body systems. You will then progress to more specialised modules such as:

• Pathology – the study and diagnosis of diseases
• Microbiology – the study of the biology of microscopic organisms (such as viruses and bacteria)
• Pharmacology – the science of drugs and how the act
• Immunology – the study of the immune system and how it protects the body

Clinical training is also a very important part of your veterinary education. You will study subjects such as diagnostics, surgery, anaesthesia, and radiology. You gain hands on experience through practical labs and clinical rotations, working with various types of animals under supervision.

Many degrees also cover public health, zoonotic diseases, animal welfare, and preventative medicine, preparing you to address health issues that impact both animals and humans.

Some related degrees you might want to consider include:

• Animal science
• Equine science
• Veterinary nursing
• Public health
• Animal therapy

Accreditation

Once you finished your veterinary medicine degree, you are normally awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), depending on where you study and whether your degree is undergraduate or postgraduate. You can choose to pursue specialist certificates or further studies, such as a PhD, if you are interested in advanced research.

To legally and safely practise as a vet, you will need to earn professional accreditation in most countries. The accreditation needed varies from country to country, and ensures that your degree covered the important aspects of veterinary medicine, and that you have completed the required amount of supervised practise hours.

Some examples of accreditation bodies are:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) – UK
• North American Veterinary Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE)
• South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
• Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI)
• Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)

Careers

As a graduate of a veterinary medicine degree you will have a wide range of career options, both clinical and non-clinical.

You can choose to become a veterinarian in private practice, treating pets, livestock or exotic animals. You could also work in specialty fields like surgery, dermatology, or oncology once you have undertaken additional training.

As well as working directly with animals, there are also options in other areas of veterinary science.

You could enjoy a career in public health, working with government agencies to monitor zoonotic diseases, food safety and biosecurity. If you are interested in research, you could work to contribute to medical advancements in animal health, working in universities, pharmaceutical companies, or biotech labs.

Other options include working with animal welfare organisations and wildlife conservation groups to help protect and rehabilitate wildlife and endangered species, and regulatory roles with the USDA or FDA (as two examples) to ensure compliance with animal health and welfare regulations.

With diverse paths available to you, a veterinary medicine degree offers flexibility and chance for you to make a meaningful impact in various fields.