Veterinary Medicine (5-year programme) BVM&S

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Veterinary Medicine

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

D100

Award

BVM&S

Duration of study

5 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Easter Bush campus

Start date

September 2026

School

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

College

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Accreditation

Available

Placement

Available

Open days and events

About the degree programme

This five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S) programme will prepare you for many aspects of the veterinary profession.

Graduating from this programme will make you eligible for registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), as well as international accrediting bodies. Subject to successful registration, you will be able to practice veterinary medicine in the UK and many countries overseas.

There is the opportunity at the end of your 2nd, 3rd or 4th year to temporarily pause your undergraduate studies for a year and pursue an intercalated BSc (Hons) Veterinary Science degree.

Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

The degree is taught over five years.

Years 1 to 2: Foundation

You will learn about the normal function of the animal body from the cell level to the entire organism.

Clinical and professional skills are taught from the first year of the programme.

Extra Mural Studies (EMS) are a key component of the degree, and you will be required to complete 10 weeks of Animal Husbandry placements by the end of the second year.

Years 3 to 5: Clinical

You will learn about disease and treatment, species-specific courses, pathology, pharmacology and veterinary public health. 

You will also be required to complete 20 weeks of clinical EMS placements by the end of final year.

The final year comprises clinical rotations in our on-site hospital facilities, giving you real-life exposure to the work you will be undertaking following graduation.

Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Degree (5 year) - The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Programme rankings

  • 1st in UK for agriculture, food and veterinary science research together with SRUC (REF 2021)
  • 1st in UK for veterinary science (Guardian League Tables 2025)
  • 1st in UK for veterinary science (Shanghai Rankings 2023)
  • 2nd in UK and 5th in the world for veterinary science (QS World Rankings 2025)

Programme benefits

  • Our purpose-built campus is home to one of the largest concentrations of animal science expertise in Europe, and students benefit from access to our three on-site veterinary hospitals.
  • Studying veterinary medicine at Edinburgh will give you transferable skills such as effective communication, team building and an understanding of business management.
  • Veterinary training also provides an outstanding background for those who wish to pursue a career in biomedical research, including both veterinary and human medicine.
  • Our long-standing combination of tradition and cutting-edge veterinary teaching benefits from a close-knit collegial community of students.
  • Our school prides itself on excellent teaching and continuing support for students. This is reflected in our continued success in the National Student Survey (NSS) results, where our most recent teaching satisfaction score is 97% (2023/24).

I knew that the programme was one of the best in the world and would set me up for a successful career. The facilities are world-class - that includes a beautiful teaching building and state-of-the-art hospitals.

Anna Mathers 5th Year BVM&S Veterinary Medicine

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BVMS Veterinary Medicine

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BVMS Veterinary Medicine.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

Additional costs include:

  • compulsory specialised equipment and protective clothing (approximately £150)
  • locker deposits (£15)
  • travel costs for getting to the Easter Bush Campus (around £560 a year on public transport from the city centre)
    • We subsidise these travel costs proportionally, in line with your year of study.
    • You will be eligible for free bus travel if you are aged under 22 and residing in Scotland.

While you are completing Extra Mural Study (EMS) placements totaling 30 weeks, you may incur additional accommodation and travel costs. You may be able to access the limited grant funding available from the University, but this is unlikely to cover the full costs of EMS.

International students may have to pay a healthcare surcharge of around £776 per person, per year of the visa as part of their immigration application. This fee may be subject to change.

Student Immigration Service - Immigration Health Surcharge

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

Featured funding

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies UK Graduate/International Scholarship

The School offers two scholarships for overseas students or UK graduates beginning their studies on the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S).

Value: £5,000 per year
School Prizes

During your studies, you will have the chance to be eligible for awards or prizes for academic excellence.

What you will study

Veterinary medicine is first and foremost a scientific discipline, but wherever possible the science will be presented in the context of its clinical relevance, so you have a clear understanding of where it all leads.

We offer an integrated programme of study where you will be taught about large animals, small companion animals, exotics and wildlife. This style of degree:

  • broadens your understanding of different species
  • diversifies your career prospects
  • provides you with a level of flexibility to specialise at a later stage if you wish

Our programme offers a wide range of stimulating teaching and learning methods designed to equip you with the confidence and skills for a fulfilling career in veterinary medicine. You will be taught by some of the UK’s most prominent veterinary scientists in an environment of cutting-edge veterinary research.

Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Degree (5 year) - The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Option of an intercalated degree

If you have a special interest, there is the opportunity at the end of your 2nd, 3rd or 4th year to temporarily pause your undergraduate studies for one year and pursue an intercalated BSc (Hons) Veterinary Science degree.

You can also take one year of advanced study in a subject such as:

  • biochemistry
  • infectious diseases
  • neuroscience
  • zoology

With permission, you may attend intercalated degree courses at other UK universities or veterinary colleges, or in other parts of the University of Edinburgh. You will then return to the veterinary medicine programme to complete your BVM&S.

Exceptional candidates may also have the opportunity to study a one-year research MSc or an intercalated three-year PhD.

After Year 3 of the BVM&S (or if you already hold a BSc), you can enrol on one of our prestigious, taught MSc programmes in:

  • The Animal Body 1 and 2
  • Animal Life and Food Safety 1
  • Professional and Clinical Skills
Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

  • The Animal Body 3 and 4
  • Animal Life and Food Safety 2
  • Professional and Clinical Skills 2
  • Student research component (foundation skills)
Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

  • Clinical Foundation Course
  • Integrated Clinical Course: Cat and Dog
  • Professional and Clinical Skills 3
  • Veterinary Pathology
Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

  • Integrated Clinical Courses in Farm Animal, Equine, and Exotics
  • Professional and Clinical Skills 4
  • Veterinary Public Health
Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

  • Final year rotations (selected and core)
  • Student research component
Find Year 5 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Placements

The Roslin Institute and the Moredun Institute offer placements to BVM&S students.

You will also have opportunities to complete short laboratory-based research placements, usually over the summer after Year 3.

Final year placements

Final year students complete a series of core and selected clinical rotations.

The school has a range of partners who offer clinical rotations to students that can be applied to as electives. These are available from within the Edinburgh area, across the UK and internationally and are taken during Semester 2 of final year. Each rotation has a set timescale of either two, three or four weeks and some have funding support available.

Close to campus, specific clinical rotations are available at:

  • St David Poultry Team in poultry health
  • the University’s Bioresearch and Veterinary Services exploring the health, welfare and treatment of animals within a research organisation

There are also opportunities available at Edinburgh Zoo.

Students can travel a little further afield with:

  • a clinical rotation in Wiltshire exploring pig health, welfare and management
  • a three-week rotation in Scotland with the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services Scheme

Internationally, there are clinical rotations available at:

  • Colorado State University
  • the American Fondouk Working Equid Clinic in Fes, Morocco
Extra Mural Studies (EMS)

In your Foundation and Clinical phases, you will gain practical experience by completing mandatory Extra Mural Studies (EMS). This is in addition to any placements you may take on.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • small-group teaching tutorials
  • practical work
  • case-based learning

Our virtual learning environments will support your studies. These include:

  • a virtual farm
  • a virtual post-mortem room
  • a virtual hospital
  • a virtual pharmacy

Assessment

You will be assessed by:

  • exams
  • coursework
  • practical and clinical work

An average day is a mix of lectures and practical classes.

  • Lectures cover all aspects of anatomy and often feature case examples to help understand how tissue and organ function is affected by disease or injury.
  • Practical classes follow on the same topic to put the learning into practice.

Live animals feature in classes from Year 1 with our teaching horses, cows, sheep and exotic animals living on-site and staff pets used in companion animal classes.

Support for your studies

As well as a strong commitment to teaching and learning, the school recognises the need to provide robust student support services.

We offer students:

  • student advisers – first point of contact for guidance, advice and support
  • professional mentors – an academic member of staff to follow you through the programme
  • student support advisory group – a group of academic staff with specific responsibilities relating to student support
  • academic skills development and support – support to adapt to university teaching methods

We also work closely with central support services to cater for lots of different support you may need.

Our academic staff

Our staff include some of the most distinguished veterinary professionals and academics in the world.

Clinical staff within our hospitals have a teaching responsibility so we can offer our students an exceptional learning experience that’s rooted in a real-world clinical context.

Where you will study

Study location

The Easter Bush Campus is a purpose-built home for veterinary teaching, research and practice. Set against the idyllic backdrop of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, the Campus lies seven miles south of the city centre. It is easily accessible by bus and has ample free car parking facilities.

The University of Edinburgh and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies are committed to sustainability, and we are proud to call Easter Bush a sustainable campus. We have:

  • electric car charging points
  • hedgehog tunnels
  • recycling initiatives
  • an apiary for bees
  • allotments
  • shower facilities for bike commuters and bike safety checks
  • a solar farm

Academic facilities

The Easter Bush Campus is home to:

  • state-of-the-art veterinary teaching facilities
  • Hospital for Small Animals, referral services and first opinion practice
  • equine hospital, referral services and ambulatory practice
  • farm animal hospital, referral services and ambulatory practice
  • Exotic Animals and Wildlife Service
  • sheep farm
  • The Roslin Institute
  • Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems
  • Jeanne Marchig International Centre of Animal Welfare Education

Nearby is Langhill, our school's 250-hectare livestock farm, where you will learn animal handling and farm animal medicine, and the campus is within easy reach of a pig unit.

We also have links with Edinburgh Zoo and African wildlife projects.

As a University of Edinburgh student, you will have access to facilities across all University sites, for example:

  • laboratories
  • libraries
  • study spaces (some study spaces are open 24 hours)
  • computing facilities

Virtual tour

Take a closer look at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and explore our facilities and campus.

Virtual Tours - The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by:

  • the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
  • the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
  • the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)
  • the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc (AVBC)
  • the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)

You will be entitled to practise as a veterinarian in the UK as soon as you have earned your BVM&S degree and registered as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The reciprocal arrangement between the RCVS and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc (AVBC) allows BVM&S graduates to register to practice in Australia and New Zealand without requiring any further qualifications.

We are also accredited by The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will recognise your degree as equivalent to those awarded by veterinary colleges in the United States following a successful pass in the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).

Local licensing requirements may vary, may incur additional costs and can be subject to change over the duration of your studies.

The BVM&S is the equivalent of the North American Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), with the same standing worldwide.

Career paths

Clinical careers

This programme will train and prepare you for a career as a veterinary practitioner, either in general practice or a specialised field of practice, such as:

  • small animal practice
  • mixed practice
  • equine practice
  • farm/production animal practice
  • exotic animal practice
  • wildlife disease prevention
  • wildlife conservation
  • endangered species conservation
  • military support
  • livestock husbandry education in the developing world
  • industry
  • research
  • government service
  • academia

Research careers

You can pursue a research career.

Our school incorporates the Roslin Institute. This, along with the Moredun Research Institute and Scotland's Rural College, makes up the Easter Bush Research Consortium - one of the world's highest concentrations of animal scientists in one place.

While many of our graduates enter the veterinary profession for life, many others find that their training at Edinburgh enables them to pursue a career in:

  • research
  • government
  • private enterprise
  • academia

You can find more information on career prospects at the vet school website:

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery career prospects

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete this degree programme, you may want to go on to further study at Edinburgh or a different university.

Graduate profiles

Andy Hopker

Andy graduated from BVM&S Veterinary Medicine in 2003. He has:

  • worked in mixed practice for ten years and in UK private practice
  • volunteered in India working with NGOs
  • worked as a clinician and lecturer at the R(D)SVS in Farm Animal Practice
  • run an education programme for small farmers in rural India
  • worked as an assessor for the RCVS Advanced Veterinary Practitioner Certificate in cattle

Mr Andy Hopker - The University of Edinburgh

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline, unless you are a North American graduate applicant.

Read our Admissions Policy

Read our 2026 Admissions Guide 

Guidance on applying through UCAS

North American graduate applicants

You are a graduate applicant if you already have a degree or you are about to graduate with one.

If you are a North American graduate applicant, you need to apply through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) on the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges website.

Guidance about applying through VMCAS

If you are a North American high school student, or a graduate applicant from another country, you must apply through UCAS.

Deferred entry

You cannot apply for deferred entry for this programme, unless you are doing National Service. In this case, we can consider a deferral of one year only. 

If you are already enrolled on a programme

You cannot apply for this programme if you have started another programme. 

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need: 

  • your academic qualifications 
  • your predicted grades (if relevant)
  • a personal statement 
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications) 
  • evidence of practical work experience
  • an academic reference

Guidelines for referees

Academic transcripts

If you are applying with a first degree or international qualifications, you must submit a copy of your transcript showing subjects and grades achieved to date.

You should submit your transcript by 22 October 2025.

English language tests

We require all applicants to demonstrate the level of English language competency required to succeed in their studies. 

If you are using an English language test that is not part of your school studies to meet our English language requirements, you must provide these results by 31 July 2025 for the 5-year BVM&S programme (September start).

Work Experience Summary form

You need to provide information about relevant practical experience in your UCAS application.

In our decision-making process, we can only consider practical experience you have completed. If you are due to do work experience, then we may give you a conditional offer.

You should submit a Work Experience Summary (WES) form to the Admissions Office by 22 October 2025. Applications without a WES will be considered incomplete and will not be considered further in the selection process.

Complete your Work Experience Summary form

How we select

There are usually 72 places for UK applicants and 35 for international and graduate applicants each year.

Competition for places is therefore extremely intense. The majority of applications are from candidates of high academic calibre. Unfortunately, meeting the academic entry requirements does not guarantee an offer.

Each application is considered individually. Academic qualifications play an important part in the selection process, but close attention is also given to non-academic factors, including work experience, motivation, interests and attainments.

An interview forms part of the selection procedure for all offered places.

Interviews

If you meet our entry requirements and present a competitive application, you will be selected to attend an interview between December and March. Interviews cover suitability for, and interest in, veterinary medicine and career exploration to date. 

We make offers on the basis of performance at interview.

We interview around 600 applicants for this programme each year.

BVM&S Interview information and dates

When to apply

UCAS deadline

  •  2026 entry UCAS deadline: 15 October 2025 (6:00pm GMT) 

VMCAS deadline

  • 2026 entry VMCAS deadline: 15 September 2025 (11:59pm EST)

This is the deadline for North American graduate applicants through the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS).

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Learn about fitness to practise and complete a health questionnaire

You need to show evidence that you are fit enough to participate in the practical applications and physical activities of this programme. 

All holders of Unconditional Firm offers are required to complete a health questionnaire prior to entry to the programme regardless of whether a disability or health condition was declared on application or not, and enrolment is subject to Health Clearance.

No health condition automatically precludes a student from studying veterinary medicine, and we consider any disability or health condition on an individual basis.

You will be asked to complete a Confidential Health Questionnaire form, which will be assessed by the University’s Occupational Health Unit. Your form will not be seen by the vet school.

Find out more about the health questionnaire

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS, unless you are a North American graduate applicant.

Find out more about applying through UCAS 

Pay a deposit if you are an international student

All international students who have been offered a place on this programme and who have made us their Firm choice via UCAS are required to pay a fee deposit equal to approximately 10% of the first year’s fees.

Visas and immigration

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme. 

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa

Agents 

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact. 

Find contact details for an education agent 

What our students say

Hear what our students say about life at the University of Edinburgh.

Read our student blog

Hear more from our students by reading our blogs.

Stories from Vet School

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Dick Vet Student Union (DVSU)

The vet school is host to a variety of clubs and societies, and has its own Students’ Union, the DVSU. The School hosts several events throughout the year where students and staff come together to celebrate.

These range from the annual Pre-Burns Night supper to the Halloween party. These events are just one example of the many ways the School includes all its students and makes them feel more like a family.

Dick Vet Student Union

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

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