Veterinary Science
UCAS code D100
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 5 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2026 September 2027
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
Our course is designed to create practical, compassionate and resilient veterinary surgeons and to equip our graduates with the skills and qualities required to practice in the 21st century.
Introduction
The Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) programme offers world-leading scientific and clinical training in veterinary medicine. The BVSc is internationally accredited, and on graduation, you will be qualified to practise as a veterinary surgeon in the UK (RCVS), Ireland and Europe (EAEVE), Australia and New Zealand (AVBC), South Africa (SAVC), North America (AVMA) and many other countries around the world.
Our students get to enjoy a vibrant university experience for the first three years of the course, based at the central Liverpool campus. Years four and five are based at our Leahurst site, on the stunning Wirral, with North Wales on your doorstep.
Our School of Veterinary Science offers in-depth clinical and research-based training and a hugely motivated, dedicated teaching staff. The university provides all of its own teaching across all five years of the course, using our two farms (covering beef and dairy cattle, pigs and sheep), our own teaching horses and our own teaching clinics. Across these sites, our students have access to over 10,000 small animal cases a year, and over 5,000 equine and large animal cases.
Programme in detail
Our integrated spiral curriculum offers an innovative approach to teaching and learning, where subjects are revisited year on year with an increasing focus on clinical application as the course progresses.
The initial semester of the first year is designed to help students transition to higher education. Students will undertake teaching blocks related to the foundations of veterinary science in semester one (year one), providing a knowledge-based platform on which future learning and assessment will build. Such an approach helps embed the required styles and study skills alongside the ethos of lifelong learning. Horizontal integration within years, and vertical integration between years, allows longitudinal development, with animal welfare at the core.
Your study will commence with animal handling, the science of normal structure and function, the welfare and husbandry of animals and the incidence and distribution of disease.
You will continue to build on this knowledge in second year, adding pathology and parasitology, further practical techniques and learning about veterinary research in our research skills course. This is enhanced by ten weeks of animal husbandry extra-mural studies (EMS) in authentic animal establishments.
In third year, you will study pathology and parasitology in more detail, start the clinical science course and complete a research project, allowing you to study an area of interest in much more detail.
You will begin learning and using clinical skills from day one, taking advantage of our dedicated facilities to practise the essential techniques required in every field of veterinary practice such as bandaging, injection technique, lab analysis, suturing and knot tying.
Our professional skills thread also starts in year one. You will learn how to communicate effectively with others, in both written and spoken form, and you will get to put this into practice with professional actors who act as your clients in simulated veterinary consultations. You will also learn about the importance of practice finance and how veterinary businesses operate.
In fourth year, you will move to Leahurst and complete a blended clinical theory course with preparatory rotations.
In fifth year, you will undertake clinical rotations spread fairly equally between production animal, equine and small animals with a dedicated rotation in exotics medicine. Over 95% of rotations take place on campus, with the majority being at the Leahurst Campus. Students additionally gain front-line experience in commercial practices during their 20 weeks of clinical extra-mural studies.
Following your clinical rotations, you will have the chance to choose a six-week elective subject to study in greater depth. You also have the opportunity to take a year out from the veterinary science programme to study in China or for an additional, intercalated degree. A wide variety of subjects are available, both at Liverpool and other universities in the UK and abroad.
International opportunities
During clinical rotations, you will have the opportunity to join up to a 3-month exchange programme with one of our partner vet schools in Europe and the USA:
- Belgium – Ghent University
- Finland – University of Helsinki
- France – National Veterinary School of Alfort
- Norway – Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
- Switzerland – University of Bern, Vetsuisse Faculty
- USA – Kansas State University.
Explore our Global Opportunities Search Tool for further information.
What you'll learn
- A core foundation in basic and clinical science which will support development of clinical reasoning and practical skills
- Animal handling and essential techniques required in every field of veterinary practice, such as physical examination, injection technique and lab analysis
- An understanding of the role of animals in human health
- The role of vets in the treatment and prevention of disease in individual animals and populations
- Development of professional skills to enable engagement with all aspects of veterinary science and clinical practice
- The knowledge, expertise and attitudes required for a 21st century career in clinical or academic veterinary practice, business or scientific research.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
The first two years focus on the normal animal.
The programme is built on a spiral curriculum. It starts with the normal animal, deducing how things might go wrong, and finishing with how to make the animal better again.
Animal husbandry focuses on basic husbandry principles, including handling, nutrition, housing and welfare.
Epidemiology and public health introduces core concepts in statistics and how populations are affected, including basic principles of food safety and biosecurity.
Infectious diseases explores the basic functioning of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Normal Structure and Function focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the normal template animal (dog).
Clinical skills starts from day one. You will develop competency in a range of clinical areas, including medicine and surgery.
In pharmacology, you will explore the basic pharmacological principles of common drug groups.
As this is a professional programme, you will develop core skills, such as communication, ethics, teamwork and career planning.
You will also be introduced to the basics of veterinary research and computational tools, including artificial intelligence.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Year two
Year two continues focusing on the normal animal, with a comparison to core domestic species, alongside an introduction to disease processes.
The focus in Animal Husbandry is the different animal industries, including genetics and breeding
In epidemiology and public health, you will start exploring more advanced concepts, including disease outbreak investigations and animal disease pertinent to human health.
Infectious diseases considers the impact of micro-organisms on animals and how this may impact on the human population.
Normal structure and function compares the normal anatomy and physiology in different species (small animal, equine and livestock).
Two new subjects of parasitology and pathology are commenced, exploring parasite identification and control, and how diseases alter the normal anatomy and physiology.
Pharmacology starts applying core principles from year one that are pertinent to different body systems.
You will continue to develop core professional and clinical skills in various contexts, and a more thorough evaluation of AI output.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Year three
Year three focuses on disease processes in the core domestic species and how these disease processes can be managed and/or treated. Year three also includes the capstone project.
Epidemiology and public health consider more complex data interpretation and application of that data to the capstone project. Public health topics regarding surveillance and disease control measures to monitor animal populations and prevention of disease spread are introduced.
Infectious diseases expands on year two with pathogenesis, including diagnosis and prevention in simulated cases.
Parasitology explores the epidemiology, diagnosis and prevention of major parasitic diseases, including public health implications.
In pathology, you will identify and record pathological lesions in organs/tissues, and how these relate to the clinical presentation of disease. These findings will be integrated with clinical data to identify further diagnostic tests to support differential diagnoses.
Core clinical concepts in management of disease in equine, livestock and small animals are introduced. These include aetiology, presenting signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common conditions, including emergencies.
A more holistic approach is taken with clinical skills to incorporate application of these skills in simulated cases, along with the development of clinical reasoning.
Professional skills development is continued with communication, ethics, teamwork, reflection, career planning and time management. A comparison of business strategies and models in the veterinary sector is undertaken, including financial considerations and sustainability.
The capstone project will be completed in year three, with application of computational tools and critical evaluation of data to draw valid conclusions in a topic of your choice.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Year four
Epidemiology and public health continue with the safe production of foods of animal origin, including appraisal of official controls and legislative requirements. Investigation and intervention in disease outbreaks is expanded upon.
In pathology, you will expand your diagnostic abilities with application of pathological diagnostic tests and their interpretation in simulated cases.
Management of disease in equine, livestock and small animal continues with further application of knowledge in investigating and treating common conditions in simulated cases.
Sustainability, legislation and commercial factors in business decision-making are continued in professional skills. Communication switches focus to communicating in challenging situations. Leadership, adaptability and reflection are undertaken in simulated situations, along with integration of AI tools in clinical workflows.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Year five
While the earlier years have had a focus on simulated cases, year five now involves real cases from our hospitals, ambulatory practices and farms.
Year five has a very heavy practical focus on the real-world job of a veterinary surgeon. Application of knowledge in investigating and treating common conditions in clinical cases of equine, livestock and small animal patients will be applied to live cases during clinical rotations.
These clinical rotations also incorporate epidemiology and public health, pathology and professional skills as applied to real-world situations and actual cases. These include evidence-based treatment and prevention plans, including food safety management, application of pathological diagnostic tests, and their interpretation and application of professional skills.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. This course has been updated for 2027 entry as part of a review of all our programmes. This review has considered refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. Please note, as at all times, the University reserves the right to make reasonable changes, including to content, entry requirements, or fees, or to discontinue programmes. Applicants will be informed of any significant change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
The BVSc learning and teaching strategy is built on the basis of research-connected teaching, active learning, inclusivity and authentic assessment. The curriculum follows a spiral model, integrating science into practice.
Curriculum design is based on core threads that are integrated within a spiral curriculum which promotes longitudinal development of competence from the classroom, through simulated environments, and ending in authentic workplace-based training.
The beginning of the programme lays the foundational knowledge and understanding, progressing to application of knowledge and later critical evaluation, professional judgement, clinical reasoning, decision making and collaboration. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and progress to independently setting their own goals using personal development plans and a Portfolio of Competence. Students will develop as independent learners, both within the programme and as a basis for continuing professional development in future practice.
Students will engage in multidisciplinary communities of enquiry across different species and disciplines under the remit of the veterinary profession. These include case-based learning, collaborative group work and workplace-based training. Clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice are interlinked with research-connected teaching and competency development.
Community is developed within the programme beginning with Welcome Week activities and collaborative tasks. Peer learning is an essential component of the programme from year one, allowing students to independently develop their learning approach while fostering connections with their peers.
Students are introduced to Digital and AI in year one, ahead of any assessment deadlines, including appropriate usage. Students will be supported in appropriate use of generative AI throughout the programme. Additional technologies introduced and utilised throughout the programme include the VLE, practice management software, digitised specimens and development of core software expertise.
How you're assessed
The adoption of a non-modular approach to the programme provides the opportunity to assess the ability of students to apply subject matter delivered in separate teaching blocks to solve real-life scenarios where cross-teaching-block knowledge is required.
A mix of formative and summative assessment methods appropriate to the teaching and learning methods and programme learning outcomes have been adopted. These assessments are designed to be authentic, reflecting real-world veterinary situations, ensuring students can apply knowledge and skills in contexts that mirror professional practice. In addition, the varied range of assessments provides multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning, accommodating different strengths, learning approaches, and experiences.
The methods of assessment can be categorised into coursework assignments, portfolio of competency, and examinations.
Coursework assignments are designed to assess a more in-depth integration of knowledge, understanding and skill a student has in a focused area of the curriculum to meet specific learning outcomes. Due to accreditor requirements, flexibility in certain assessments is limited.
The Portfolio of Competence is designed to assess a student’s ability to meet practical, clinical and professional requirements on a longitudinal pathway to a “minimally acceptable level of competence” for the level of study. Within the portfolio, students are also required to demonstrate a reflective practice approach.
Examinations are defined as written assessments held in person, with a fixed duration, that aim to assess the broad integrated knowledge and understanding a student has at the end of a defined part of the learning cycle against set learning outcomes.
Formative opportunities enable the students to receive feedback on their work, and use this to feed forward into improving their performance in the various assessments. This will include feedback on draft documents (coursework) and in-class tests to improve their examination technique and audit knowledge.
Liverpool Learning Framework
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching - learning informed by the latest ideas and discoveries
- Active learning - taking part, applying knowledge and learning by doing
- Authentic assessment - assessments designed around real-world tasks and challenges
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
Enjoy both city and rural lifestyles on our programme. We’re distinct in the UK in that we have two farms, alongside three first-opinion practices and two referral hospitals on campus meaning you can get real experience of all aspects of veterinary practice: equine, large animal, and small animal. You’ll also benefit from our close associations with Chester Zoo.
Explore where you'll study
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
An exciting place to study
- Ranked consistently amongst the top Veterinary Schools in the world
- Two on-site working farms, two referral hospitals, three first opinion practices
- Top ranked Veterinary School for research in REF2021
- Liverpool University Veterinary Society is the largest student society with a variety of special interest sub-societies
- Access to Virtual Learning Environment as well as residential schools and clinical placements.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Careers and employability
Studying this degree will prepare you for a wide range of careers in animal sciences and the vast majority of veterinary students find employment within six months of graduation.
Most newly qualified vets choose to work in private veterinary practices but many graduates find work in:
- Laboratories
- Animal charities
- The public health sector
- Research
- Higher degrees like PhDs, or further studies in particular veterinary specialities.
You can explore the following postgraduate opportunities here at Liverpool:
- Veterinary Science MSc
- Veterinary Science PhD/MPhil/DVSc
- Bovine Reproduction DBR
- RCVS/Certificate in Advance Veterinary Practice.