Hi, Kenza,

If you live in the United Kingdom you will need a good selection of O levels with good grades, and A levels at A*, A, possibly B, in at leats Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

W

hi i am thinking of becoming a vet and im 15 in high school but i do not know which one to take i have two options either agriculture or science and science practical help me decide

Hi, Emma,

I gather from your e-mail address that you live in New Zealand. I know only of university veterinary school entry requirements in the UK. Your school careers master or mistress should be able to help you find out from a veterinary school in NZ or Australia what the requirements are there. If they are like the UK, they will be quite high and your success in school exams will probably determine your future career.

To try to help you make up your mind you should ask a veterinarian near you to let you see some of the work that he does, over a few weekends, maybe.

W

Hi
Im Jess
I live in Devon, England and I have always had my heart set on being a vet!
Im at the stage in my education where I need to think about the options I take for my A levels. I've decided on Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Pyscology. Will this help or act against me becoming a vet?
And I was also wondering, at Vet school what sort of course do you need to apply for to become a veterinary surgeon?
PLease help
Thank you
Jess xx

To both Laura and Jess,

I think you will have to include Physics in your group of A level subjects even to be considered for a place at a veterinary school.
The course takes five years full time, and includes a lot of vacation work. Some , but not all, univeristies offer exemption from first year if you have good A levels in Bilogy, Chemistry and Physics.
You must enquire from each of the University veterinary schools for more precise information. The universities in the UK with vet schools are: London, Liverpool, Cambridge, Bristol, Nottigham, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

W

You 100% need chemistry to become a vet. You also need biology and mathematics. You don't have to have physics as you can substitute maths as physics. These are the basic requirements.

Hi, Emma,

Thank you for that update.

W

Oh God, is Emma sure that you need Mathematics and not just the three sciences? To get into vet school?

Hi, sam,

I am pretty sure that it is Physics OR maths.

W

Well I'm 99.99% certain that for your first year of A-Levels you need:
-Chemistry
-Biology
-Maths OR Physics
-The 4th subject doesn't really matter, and it's a good idea not to do all 3 sciences & Maths, as you will find you've cut your career options so much - EVERYONE I've spoken to DOES NOT suggest taking 4 sciences!!

For the second year of A-Levels you need:
-Chemistry
-Biology
-Maths OR Physics

Hope this helps!
Sarah

I found a really good website that tells you what you need to become a vet and has a Exam results caculater and tests if you could be a vet.
As i do not know the whole adress, go to goole and type in bristol veterinary shcool it should be the first link or near it.

Good Luck


George

hi everyone,

if you want to be a vet according to the reserch ive done and through experience.

when you do ur collage options you need to do chemistry n then a choice of physics, biology and maths a-levels. all 4 would be an advntage but very hard!

dont go for a animal course as there useless uless you want to be a dog handler or groomer etc

if you get chance to have a work placement or want a year out go to a vets!! you need a years expereince of being an vet assistant befor you can become qualified. im not sure if you have to do this before uni or if you can do it during but if you was to do it during it would be very hard!

n then you want to go to a rcvs approved uni to study animal meds or animal science

and im not sure if you have to specialise in large or small

hope that helps,

If anyone else wishes to make a contribution to this thread, about entry into a University veterinary school, please state from which country you are calling, since the entry requirements do vary from country to country.

I assume that Tanya is in the UK, since she refers to the RCVS. However, she seems to be a bit confused about ' a year's experience of being a vet assistant'

All students have to spend 6 months 'seeing practice' during vacations in the leter years of the vet course. They do NOT have to have a year's experience of being a vet assistant before they become qualified. After passing the university final examination they then register with the RCVS as a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Then they can work as a veterinary surgeon right away.

W

Hi im charlotte,

i live in biggleswade and im in middle school im 11 and i really want to be a vet, ever since i was four i loved animals, i always watch horror movies and vet operations on television and therefore i am defently not screamish! I am very good a science infact my science tutor pulled me out of the class room and told me that i would become a very good scientist and i have improved in my grades, i am in 2nd from top science set and high in french,my mum said this is useful ,in 2nd from top english...but sadly i am not that great at maths,my mum and dad said that all of these lessons would help me become a vet and that i have to work hard which i am trying to do now, but what should i do to make my grades higher to become a vet.my mum said she would take me to a zoo so we could see the animals and how they work. should i maybe play some vet games and revise on bones,please help..!


love
from
charlotte
x x x

p.s help !

Hi, Charlotte,

If you go back through this site and read all the messages from vet students who are at university or are hoping to go, you will find most of the information you need.
Good 'O' levels in a wide range of subjects incluing all the sciences that your school will let you do are essential, maths is not if you have a good grounding in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Good luck!

W

what lesson options do i need to choose in year 9 to study for in year 10 to become a vet?
from Liam

Hi, Liam,

If you read through some of the earlier correspondence on this site you will find the information you require.

W

Hi i'm mel and i'm from sheffield.

I'm 14 and i'm choosing my options for year 10 in secondary school and i'm wondering what subjects to take, to become a veterinary nurse. PLEASE help!


from mel

Hi,

Look at veterinary nursing on the web site 'www.rcvs.org.uk' and then contact the VN department there. They are best place to give you up-to-date information and advice.

W

Hey im writeing a paper about how math applys to being a vet can someone help me?

Firstly you need to be able to spell the word veterinary!!!

I dont agree, when i went to an open day at the rvc there was one lady who was in her thirtys who wanted to do it and there have been people who are late 30's and doing the course. Contact the unis and ask them what you'd have to do to get a place. Also, Bristol has started a new 6 yr course for people who have just come out of non veterinary related career.

I really want to study Vet Science but didn't get great A levels (BBCD) at school so went on to study a degree in Genetics, after graduating I worked in various research labs, then went back to uni to do a second degree in Biomedical Science from which I graduate this year.

However, it is Vet Science that I really want to do, Ive been trying to put it out of my head for years now for many reasons (mainly to do with money as I will be applying as a graduate so will be liable for full fees). Im worried now that if I apply for Vet Science I will be seen as being unsure about my career as I have already done 2 degrees. Im currently working full time as a scientist but am hoping to get some work experience in at weekends which will hopefully so my commitment? (as I havent done any farm/vet/horse related work experience since school) Any advice on how to make my application stronger in greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Hayley

Hi guys my name is Laura and im 14 years old and im in year 9 and i really want to become a vet ever since i was 4 years old. I just wanted to know what lessons you have to be really good at in high school to become a vet??

Also how many years at uni do you need to be there for??

Please send back because i really wanna know thank you!! =)

Thanx so much Laura xox

Hi, Laura,

I guess from your e-mail address that you live in Australia, so if any Australian vet students are reading this they may be able to give you the information.

W

hi there.
well around great britian it's generally stadard what you need.
firstly, you need 3 scientific subjects. that doesnt just mean, chem, bio and physics!
one of the scientific subjects is preferably maths, and you definately need to take chemisrty. of the others, you could choose physics, biology, phycology etc. but make sure you check with any universities you want to apply to!
(i have taken maths, chem and biology, ad i also took art because i enjoy it and it shows universities that you have a wide range of talents, and are not only interested in sciences)
secondly, you need AAB to really stand a chance of being accepted. rarely ABB is allowed, but its always worth a try if you get those grades, and of couse, AAA is without a doubt acceptable.
thirdly, you need approx 6 weeks work experience, with different fields of animals.
Equine, Large animal (eg farm animals), small animals.
try and get into a variety of differentplaces too. veterinary practices, kennels, farms, zoos, aviaries. etc.
you may need to check again with specific universities about the length of time of total work experience.
and it may also be useful to do some volunteere work for the RSPCA or CatsProtection.

But most of all you really need a hell of a lot of enthusiasm and drive for the course. its incredibly hard! and requires alot of sweat and hard work. but so long as youve got a real passion for animals. then you should be absolutley fine.

that looks a bit long winded but i hope it helped!

Yes Walter is right speak with your Headmaster/Mistress and then see what they think would be best for you.
Laura

Hi ppl

i want to become a vet when i am older i still have a year before i have to choose my subjects. but i don't know what subjects to choose

can you help

Hi, Emma,

If you look back at some of the earlier message son this site you will see all the details you need - See especially Gemma's letter three before this

W

Hi i'm Hayley im 13 years old and about to choose my options. I really want to be a vet so i won't to know what colleges or vet schools i should go to. I live in Norfolk and want to be close to my family but i also want to go to a great college/vet school. Can you suggest some of the best so i can research them. Thanks Hayley