Careers guide to becoming a veterinary surgeon

Thinking of a career as a vet?

• Are you a caring person who loves animals?
• Do you enjoy helping others and making a difference?
• Do you thrive on problem solving?
• Can you work well under pressure?

If the answer to the questions above is yes, a career as a veterinary surgeon could be for you!

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On this page:

• What is a veterinary surgeon?
• What can a vet do?
• Why become a vet?
• Important subjects and routes into veterinary medicine
• Work experience 
• Case Study: Reanne – veterinary medicine student at the University of Liverpool
• What makes a good vet?
• What is the salary of a veterinary surgeon?
• UK vet schools
• What does it mean to be a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS)?
• Websites that offer information about veterinary medicine

What is a veterinary surgeon?

A veterinary surgeon, or vet, is a person who treats diseased or injured animals, or prevents them from becoming sick. Vets play a vital role in protecting the health and welfare of animals, as well as the health of people.

Vets work worldwide in veterinary practice, academic settings, industry, government services, public health and military services. They are often supported in their work by other veterinary professionals.

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What can a vet do?

Vets can work in a number of different areas, including:

• General practice – in general practice, vets are responsible for caring for the health and welfare of animals, including household pets, farm animals and horses, alongside other veterinary colleagues.
• Veterinary research and teaching – veterinary researchers play a vital role in improving our understanding of veterinary medicine and diseases. Research also helps protect the public from diseases spread from animals in the food chain and other means. Vets may also choose to go into teaching, to pass their knowledge onto student vets and student vet nurses.
• Government service - government vets are involved in protecting the health of the general public. They work in a range of areas including the Food Standards Agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). Their work includes monitoring animal health and preventing the spread of diseases, for example, through checking that the animal products we eat are safe to consume, disease surveillance, and facilitating international trade of live animals and products of animal origin.
• Other areas – vets can also work for pharmaceutical companies and help to produce new medicine. They may also choose to work for animal welfare charities such as the Blue Cross, or in areas which help protect the future of animals, such as conservation work.

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Why become a vet?

Veterinary medicine is an exciting career with lots of benefits. Here are five great reasons to become a vet.

Make a difference

The role of a vet is extremely rewarding. You will play a vital role in protecting the health and welfare of animals as well as the health of the general public. You will also be supporting people to look after their animals.

Variety of opportunities

Once you have qualified as a vet, there are many exciting environments you can work in, including:

• General, specialist or emergency and critical care practices
• Zoos, conservation and research
• Charities (for example, the PDSA)
• Education and teaching
• Senior roles, including managing or owning your own veterinary practice
• Voluntary or paid roles abroad
• Government services
• Other roles, for example, within pharmaceutical companies and consultancies

While vets train to help all animals, you may want to specialise in a particular field following graduation, for example small animals, equine, exotic animals, large animals or wildlife.

Every day is different

No two days are the same for a vet. Your daily duties can differ depending on the types of patients you are caring for and the type of work you decide to go into. In general veterinary practice, for example, this could include:

• diagnosing and treating sick and injured animals
• performing operations
• analysing blood samples, X-rays and scans
• providing care for animals in veterinary hospitals
• carrying out regular health checks and giving vaccinations
• checking farm animals and advising on stopping the spread of diseases
• supervising veterinary nurses and support staff
• keeping records of treatments
• communicating with pet owners and insurers
• neutering animals to stop them reproducing
• putting severely injured or terminally ill animals to sleep
• Be in demand - The UK will always need veterinary surgeons to provide care for animals and protect the health of the public. With more people than ever owning pets, vets are in high demand!
• The number of universities offering veterinary medicine degrees in also on the rise, meaning that there are now more opportunities to get into vet school.
• Never stop learning - Every day is a new learning experience for veterinary surgeons. Once you have qualified, there’s always room to expand your knowledge through everyday learning and additional qualifications.

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Important subjects and routes into veterinary medicine

To become a veterinary surgeon, you will need good GCSE grades, specifically in Maths, English and the sciences. You will also need good A-level grades (or Scottish Highers or International Baccalaureate) in science-related subjects, usually including Biology and/or Chemistry.

Achieving good grades at A-level, or the equivalent, will be important in helping you to get a place to study veterinary medicine at university. Entry requirements for each veterinary medicine course will differ, so do check with the individual university.

Even if you don’t achieve the desired grades, there are other routes into university. For example, many vet schools are helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds become vets by lowering the grade requirements. This is called a contextual offer.

If you are from one or more of the groups listed below, you may qualify for a contextual offer. You could also be eligible for additional support such as bursaries.

• low income household
• some Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority students
• mature students
• students with disabilities
• care leavers
• carers
• people estranged from their families
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
• refugees
• children from military families

Different universities have different schemes available so make sure you reach out to them directly to find out how they can support you.

There are also foundation courses available which will help prepare you for a veterinary degree, as well as post-graduate entry. Foundation courses usually last around a year and will provide you with the base knowledge you need to undertake a veterinary medicine degree. Entry requirements for these are often lower than for full veterinary medicine degrees, so they can work as a brilliant stepping stone. There are also options to transfer onto a veterinary medicine degree after having already completed a related degree. This could be, for example, in veterinary nursing, or biomedical science.

In order to become a veterinary surgeon, you must study for a veterinary degree at university, but there are multiple routes into this.

For more information about admissions processes and entry requirements for UK vet schools, visit the Vet Schools Council website at vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk/applications/.

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Work experience

Before applying to veterinary school, you could consider gaining some work experience to make sure being a vet is what you really want to do, and to show the university that you are committed. It will also give you important skills and knowledge about what is involved in veterinary work. There are lots of different places you can apply for work experience, such as at your local vet practice, animal charities, riding stables and farms.

How to get work experience

• Search for local animal establishments online
• Write and email or visit in person to ask if they offer work experience
• Speak to your careers adviser at school who may also be able to help

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What makes a good vet?

An ideal vet is someone who is caring, passionate about animals, enjoys working with and helping people, is practical and analytical, a natural problem solver, constantly curious and has an interest in promoting animal health and welfare to make a difference within society.

Veterinary medicine is open to everyone and welcomes people from all backgrounds. No matter what your religion, ethnic background, socio-economic group, or sexual orientation, veterinary medicine is a viable career option for all.

Here are some of the key attributes you need to be a great vet:

Effective communication

Being able to communicate effectively is an important part of being a vet both in terms of working with team members and with the public. Vets must be able to communicate sensitively and clearly.

Dedication

Vet students must be committed to studying for their degree and maintaining their skills and knowledge once qualified. Veterinary work often involves long and unpredictable hours. Many practices provide 24/7 care 365 days a year. This tough schedule means vets need to be hugely committed and passionate about their work.

Practical and intellectual outlook

Vets should be practical and capable of problem-solving, decision-making, completing complex tasks, learning new things, and working under pressure.

Teamwork

Teamwork is essential in the veterinary profession, as veterinary teams need to work effectively together to provide the best care possible for the animals they look after. The veterinary profession can be physically, technically, and emotionally demanding, making teamwork and mutual support crucial.

Ethical values

Vets must consider the ethical aspects of working with animals and people. For example, whether what they are doing is in the best interests of both the animals they are looking after and the people their work could impact. They must show moral principles and abide by the professional standards of their regulator.

Hard work

Being a vet is rewarding but requires hard work. You will likely have to be willing to work irregular hours as well as work to make sure you keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career.

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What is the salary of a veterinary surgeon?

Starting salaries for newly-qualified vets are generally around £32,000 - £33,600 per year. With further training and experience, this can rise to £40,000 - £70,000. Highly experienced vets in top roles can earn in the region of £70,00 - £100,000.

Salary levels can vary depending on where you work, which area of veterinary medicine you decide to work in, and whether or not you have undertaken further training.

(Income data from the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) 2022/3 Salaries Survey and are intended as a guide only).

UK vet schools 

The below vet schools are either accredited by the RCVS or are in the process of becoming accredited:

Bristol
Veterinary Admissions Clerk
University of Bristol, Senate House
Bristol, BS8 1TH
Tel: 0117 928 9000 

Cambridge
The Department Secretary
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine
University of Cambridge, Madingley Road
Cambridge, CB2 0ES
Tel: 01223 337600 

The Cambridge Intercollegiate Applications Office
Kellet Lodge, Tennis Court Road
Cambridge, CB2 1QJ 
Tel: 01223 333308

University of Central Lancashire
School of Veterinary Medicine
Adelphi Building
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
Preston
PR1 2HE

Tel: 01772 892444 

Edinburgh
Admissions Officer
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies
University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre
Roslin, Midlothian
Edinburgh, EH25 9RG
Tel: 0131 651 7305

Glasgow 
Admissions Officer
University of Glasgow Veterinary School
464 Bearsden Road, Bearsden Road
Glasgow, G61 1QH 
Tel: 0141 330 5700

Harper-Keele
Harper and Keele Veterinary School
Harper Adams University
Newport
Shropshire
TF10 8NB
Tel: 01952 815 000

Liverpool 
The Admissions Sub-Dean
Faculty of Veterinary Science
University of Liverpool 
Liverpool, L69 7ZJ
Tel: 0151 794 2000 

Royal Veterinary College
The Head of Registry 
The Royal Veterinary College 
Royal College Street 
London, NW1 0TU 
Tel: 020 7468 5000 
Visit the RVC careers website

Nottingham
The School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
The University of Nottingham
Sutton Bonington Campus
Sutton Bonington
Leicestershire, LE12 5RD
Tel: 0115 951 6417

Surrey 
School of Veterinary Medicine
Duke of Kent Building
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7TE
Tel: 01483 689165

Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science 
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 3FL

Dublin
University College Dublin
Stillorgan Rd
Belfield
Dublin
Ireland

SRUC
Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)
Peter Wilson Building The King's Buildings
West Mains Road Edinburgh
EH9 3JG

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What does it mean to be a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS)?

After you have completed your veterinary studies and training, passed your exams and qualified as a vet, you need to apply to become a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) to be able to practise as a vet. As a veterinary surgeon, you are a regulated professional required to follow the professional standards set by the regulator (the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)).

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Do you want to be a vet?

So, what do you think? Does being a vet appeal to you? What are the next steps?

Websites that offer information about veterinary medicine:

• The Veterinary Schools Council – vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk
• The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons – rcvs.org.uk
• The British Veterinary Association – bva.co.uk

• If possible, carry out work experience in veterinary practices, rescue centres, kennels, stables or other animal-care facilities.
• Talk to vets – they are very passionate about their roles!
• Do plenty of research about the profession and find out as much as you can.

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