Study Veterinary Medicine in Europe: Popular Universities, Admission Criteria, and Process
Veterinary is a noble career and thus has become a popular choice among international students who are fond of animals. Many of these students prefer to study veterinary in Europe rather than in the US and Canada. There are many reasons for this choice:
- Tuition fees for veterinary courses in Europe are cost-effective
- European countries are affordable to live in
- Veterinary universities in Europe are accredited and recognized
- A veterinary degree from European universities is accepted worldwide
- Veterinary license from EU countries is accepted throughout the EU
These are some good reasons to consider European veterinary universities. But many students are under the impression that European universities do not teach in English. So, here we have compiled some names of the popular European countries where you can pursue a veterinary degree in English:
- UK
- Cyprus
- Ireland
- Poland
- Hungary
An overview of Veterinary universities in Europe
| Popular European countries for veterinary courses | UK, Cyprus, Ireland, Poland, Hungary |
| Degree offered | DVM, BVM, BSc, MVB |
| Duration of degree | 5 to 6 years |
| Degree type | Undergraduate degree, long-cycle master’s degree, graduate-entry programs |
| Minimum admission requirement | Higher secondary (10+2 in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics) |
| English language proficiency tests accepted | IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge |
Best Veterinary universities in Europe
UK
Although the UK is not as cheap as the EU countries to study veterinary, it still has some of the best veterinary universities. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in the UK lasts for 5 years. Here is a list of popular universities in the UK where you can study veterinary medicine programs.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (Pounds/year) | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| University of Edinburgh | BVM&S | 5 years | 34,200 | 41,080 |
| University of Cambridge | VetMB | 6 years | 60,942 | 73,418 |
| Royal Veterinary College | BVetMed | 5 years | 38,600 | 46,502 |
| University of Glasgow | BVMS | 5 years | 32,500 | 39,153 |
In addition to a general entry, some UK universities also offer graduate entry programs to students with a bachelor’s degree. The duration of a graduate-entry program is 4 years. Here are some entry requirements to consider before applying for a DVM degree in the UK:
- High school diploma with AAA in biology, chemistry, and physics/mathematics
- English language proficiency (IELTS 7.0, TOEFL-iBT 100 or Cambridge English 110)
- Personal interview
- Work experience
According to a university news source, Queen’s University Belfast is preparing to launch a degree-level veterinary program in Northern Ireland (UK). It will be the first institution in Northern Ireland to provide a veterinary degree program.
Cyprus
There are two veterinary schools where students can pursue a veterinary degree in Cyprus. Both are private universities and offer English language-taught programs. Their DVM degree is of 5 years duration.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (Euros/year) | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| The University of Nicosia | DVM | 5 years | 20,000 | 20,265 |
| Near East University | DVM | 5 years | 8,600 | 8,714 |
Here are some general admission requirements for a DVM degree in Cyprus:
- High school certificate (chemistry and either biology or physics)
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English Language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79)
- Valid passport
- Personal interview
- Health certificate
- Funds to pay tuition fees
Poland
Veterinary universities in Poland offer their degrees as a long-cycle master’s degree in veterinary medicine. The duration of these degrees is 5.5 years including an internship of 12 weeks.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (PLN*/year) | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn | MSc Veterinary | 5.5 years | 30,000 | 6,421 |
| Jagiellonian University University of Agriculture in Krakow (Joint venture) | MSc Veterinary | 5.5 years | – | – |
These universities accept applications in the fall. Students can apply to veterinary medicine in Poland with the following documents:
- Upper secondary school certificate (biology and chemistry)
- Letter of recommendation
- Motivation letter
- Resume
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS score 5.5, or TOEFL 70)
- Health certificate
- Proof of financial stability
Students should keep in mind that the entrance test or personal interview is a part of admission process of these universities.
Ireland
There is just one university in Ireland that offers a 5-year veterinary program in English. It came into existence in 1946 as the very first veterinary school in Ireland. As per the QS rankings, it ranks 33 worldwide for veterinary medicine. A degree from the faculty of veterinary is recognized by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association). This makes it easier for students to apply for an American license if they wish to work as a veterinarian in the US.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (Euro*/year) | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| University College Dublin | MVB | 5 years | 32,570 | 33,002 |
Here are some admission requirements to study veterinary medicine at the University College Dublin:
- A high school diploma from a recognized board (chemistry and mathematics)
- 60 hours practical experience handling animals
- An entrance test
- English language proficiency tests like IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90
It also offers a 4-year graduate entry program in veterinary: MVB (Hons) Graduate Entry. You need an honors degree in biomedical/animal science with a GPA of 3.2 and above and two references.
Hungary
The only veterinary university in Hungary is the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest. Established in 1762, it is one of the oldest veterinary universities in the world. Since the start of its international program in 1989, 2,500 foreign students have enrolled in its DVM program. The university offers a One-Year Pre-Medical (veterinary) Program for students who do not fulfill the subject requirements. It also accepts transfer candidates from other countries.
| University Name | Degree Offered | Duration | Tuition Fees (Euro*/year) | Tuition Fees (USD*/year) |
| University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest | DMV (BSc+MSc) | 5.5 years | 12,480 | 12,749 |
You will need the following things to apply to the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest:
- High school leaving certificate (biology and chemistry)
- Resume
- Medical report
- Copy of passport
- Letters of recommendation (optional)
- Motivational letter
- English language proficiency test scores like TOEFL and IELTS
- University written and oral entrance exam (English, biology, and chemistry)
Admission process
For admission to the UK veterinary colleges the process is relatively efficient. Students can submit multiple applications using the UCAS standard application service, which is available in the UK. The first application is 22 pounds, the second is 26.5 pounds, and so on. The deadline for all the applications is October 15 of each year. Students should apply at least 6 months before to avoid missing out on the deadline. Please follow these instructions to apply through UCAS:
- Register with UCAS to create an account
- Log in to fill out the application form
- Write a captivating motivational letter
- Add references from mentors
- Submit the filled application form and pay the application fee
Admission to UK universities is quite a laborious process. We, at Gyanberry, offer guidance and counseling services to help students achieve their dream of studying abroad. EU countries like Cyprus, Ireland, Poland, and Hungary do not have a standard application service like that of the UK. Students have to apply separately by visiting each university’s website. Gyanberry can help you apply to multiple veterinary universities in Europe at a time. We have been in this industry for a decade now and we have helped thousands of students to go abroad, especially to Europe. You can book a free video appointment to know more about our services. Once accepted to the university of your choice, you can start your visa application process. We offer visa services to over 22 countries worldwide.
A veterinary degree in Europe takes 5 to 6 years to complete whereas the same degree takes 4 years to complete in the US. You might be wondering why there is such a difference between the two. A US veterinary degree requires an applicant to have a bachelor’s degree. On the other hand, a European DVM degree does not require a bachelor’s degree. Graduates can save up to two years of their educational time and utilize it to pursue specializations.
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.