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Veterinary Science

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Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2024 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students was 16 October 2023.

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Bachelor of Veterinary Science

Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate programme in veterinary science.

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Course overview

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

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 4 and 5 are based at our Leahurst site, on the stunning Wirral, with North Wales on your doorstep.

Liverpool vet school 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.

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. 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. You will complete a lecture based clinical theory course by the February of fourth year and then complete 36 weeks of clinical rotations spread equally between production animal, equine and small animals with  a dedicated rotation in exotics medicine. Over 90% of rotations take place at the Leahurst Campus, with students additionally gaining front line experience in commercial practices during their 26 weeks of extra-mural studies (EMS).

During clinical rotations, you will have the opportunity to join a 3-month exchange programme with one of our seven partner vet schools in Europe and the USA

Following your clinical rotations, you will have the chance to choose an 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, and examples range from basic sciences to our world-renowned BSc in Veterinary Conservation Medicine.

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.

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

  • Animal husbandry and welfare
  • Infectious diseases
  • Normal structure and function
  • Professional, clinical and study skills
  • Public health and epidemiology
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Our curriculum

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

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.

What's available on this course?

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

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

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

Read more about studying a language

Intercalation available

Earn an additional undergraduate or master's degree by adding a year of intercalated study. Once you've completed your intercalation year - usually following your third year - you'll finish the rest of your programme.

  • Pursue in-depth study in a subject that interests you
  • Complete an additional degree in only one year
  • Available to students from any UK university
  • Pay the standard full-time fee for one academic year.

Learn more about intercalation

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.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

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.

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.

100% of veterinary science students find their main activity after graduation meaningful.

Graduate Outcomes, 2018-19.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £42,700
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Information for prospective applicants

Please refer to the Veterinary Science Prospective Applicants page for important guidance notes and detailed information for BVSc (D100) applicants.

Applicants to Veterinary Science should be aware that students will be required as part of the registration process at the start of their studies to undergo an occupational health assessment.

Please note that admission to our foundation year is limited to mature students who have typically been out of formal education for some time, or who have taken non-traditional qualifications.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

A levels

AAA including Biology, one other academic science related subject and any other subject excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies. If Chemistry is not offered at A level, grade B at AS level is required.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme.

If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course.

Available foundation years:

T levels

T levels are not currently accepted.

GCSE At least five GCSEs at grade 7 (A) including two science GCSEs (either as separate subjects or e.g. dual award science). With at least a grade 6 (B) in English (literature or language) and Mathematics.
Subject requirements

For applicants from England: Where a science has been taken at A level (Chemistry, Biology or Physics), a pass in the Science practical of each subject will be required.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

We no longer accept BTEC qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

36 points overall to include, Grade 6 at Higher Level Biology, Grade 6 at Higher Level Chemistry, Grade 6 at Higher Level in any other subject.

Irish Leaving Certificate The recognised A level equivalent qualification is the Irish Higher Leaving Certificate. H1, H1, H2, H2, H2, H2 (new grading system) OR A1, A1, A1, A1 (old grading system). Biology: (H1); Chemistry: (H1); English: (O3 at Ordinary Level or H6 at Higher Level); Maths: (O3 at Ordinary Level/Standard Level or H6 at Higher Level).
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

Not accepted without Advanced Highers. Grade B in Biology at Advanced Higher, Grade B in Chemistry at Advance Higher, Grade AA in Biology and Chemistry and Grades AAB in 3 other subjects at Higher Level.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Accepted in place of a third A level
Access Kitemarked level 3 Access to Medicine at pre-approved colleges is required with a minimum of 15 credits in Biology and a minimum of 15 credits in Chemistry. Approval MUST be obtained prior to application. Please contact the Admissions Office for further information.
Work Experience Requirements

Candidates should have work experience in both animal husbandry and clinical (veterinary practice) setting. For more information, please see the Veterinary Science Prospective Applicants page.

International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

English language qualification Requirements
TOEFL iBT 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 24, writing 24, reading 24 and speaking 26
Pearson PTE Academic 69 overall, with no component below 69
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 Grade 6 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.  
International Baccalaureate Grade 6 at Standard Level or Grade 5 at Higher Level

Contextual offers: reduced grade requirements

Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new UCAS cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

Changes to Veterinary Science BVSc

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.

9 December 2022: Day 1 competences

Link updated in overview section ‘Day 1 competences’