Veterinary Science BVSc

Key information

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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. 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. Professional and clinical skills are introduced from day one, encouraging our students to engage with all aspects of veterinary science from the moment they begin the course. The curriculum provides opportunities to get involved with veterinary research, and to intercalate or study abroad. Completion of the course enables registration as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons upon graduation.

The Liverpool BVSc curriculum ensures that graduates:

  • Can fulfil the "Day One Competences" - a list of key skills set out by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
  • Have the knowledge, expertise and attitudes required for a career in clinical or academic veterinary practice, business or scientific research
  • Are equipped with the skills to become lifelong learners, committed to their own professional development
  • Are able to meet the needs of the profession as set out in the Vet Futures report.

  

Programme in detail

You will study the science of normal structure and function, the welfare and husbandry of animals and the mechanisms and treatment of disease. You will begin learning and using practical skills from day one, taking advantage of our dedicated facilities to develop animal handling skills and using the clinical skills lab to practice the essential techniques required in every field of veterinary practice such as bandaging, injection technique, lab analysis, suturing and knot tying. 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 continue to build on this knowledge in second year, adding further practical techniques and learning about veterinary research in our research skills course. In third year you will complete a research project, allowing you to study an area of interest in much more detail.

Our professional skills thread runs throughout the whole five years of the course and allows you to develop an awareness of the importance of practice finance and learn about how veterinary businesses operate, as well as developing your communication and consultation skills.

The fourth and final year are based at Leahurst where we have two large working farms, and first opinion and referral practices who see small animal, equine and farm species (small animal first opinion is in Liverpool). You will finish 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 dedicated rotations in ophthalmology and exotics medicine. Over 90% of rotations take place at the Leahurst Campus, alongside students gaining front line experience in commercial practices during their 26 weeks of extra-mural studies (EMS).

Following your clinical rotations, you will have the chance to choose an elective subject to study in greater depth. This three week block follows final exams and therefore allows you to effectively practice as a vet whilst still benefiting from the support and expertise of the staff at the teaching site.

During the BVSc degree at Liverpool, you have the opportunity to take a year out from the veterinary science programme to study 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.

Department Key Facts

Number of first year students

162 Year One undergraduates in 2018

UK league tables

3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and ranked in the Top 10 veterinary science degrees (QS World University Rankings 2018)

Graduate prospects

98% are employed or in further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2016/17)

Why this subject?

Enjoy an innovative and exciting programme of study

We’ve developed our curriculum with the advice of veterinary surgeons and subject experts, and introduce clinical skills and animal handling from the first term.

Gain early, practical experience in our farms, referral hospitals and first opinion practices

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.

Start your career with confidence

Your future prospects are strengthened through the Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) recognition your programme offers you.

Enjoy both city and rural lifestyles

Your first three years are spent at the city centre campus enjoying all Liverpool has to offer. This provides you with the opportunity to integrate with students doing other courses and to enjoy all the facilities available on the Liverpool campus, including sports facilities and social clubs, as well as our great city itself! Your final two clinical years are spent at the Leahurst campus, on the beautiful Wirral peninsula, which is close to Chester and North Wales while still only half an hour from Liverpool.

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to take a year out from the veterinary science programme to study 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. There is also the opportunity to undertake clinical rotations in one of six European Veterinary schools as part of our Erasmus Exchange programme or to spend a year studying in China.

Our plans for teaching 2021/22

Over the last year, we have delivered teaching to suit a range of circumstances, within UK Government guidelines. Take a look at our plans for delivering teaching from September.