Application Process
Key information about applying to one of our undergraduate programmes.
The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVM&S) degree is widely and internationally accredited, allowing graduates to practise all over the world once qualified.
We offer a 5 year degree for students with high school qualifications, and a 4 year Graduate Entry Programme for students with a relevant degree in biological or animal sciences. Both pathways lead to a BVM&S.
Firstly, we assess your application on the basis of academic and non-academic suitability to the programme. Selected candidates are then invited to attend an interview and offers are made on basis of performance at interview. We do not offer deferred entry so you will need to apply by the September/October of year prior to your intended year of entry.
Admissions policy, available places, and the selection process
Additional Resources
The Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) is the representative body for veterinary schools in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands and they have produced an Admissions Guide with information on all UK Vet Schools. You can access this via their website.
Veterinary Schools Council - Admissions processes and entry requirements for UK veterinary schools
Future Vets Scotland is an independent resource that provides information and advice to prospective veterinary students in Scotland. You can access their materials via their website.
Future Vets Scotland (external link)
The Admissions Process at Edinburgh
We offer two routes leading to a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S).
5 Year Programme: High School Qualifications
Grades must be achieved at the first attempt and in one sitting. Mature applicants are not necessarily expected to gain the grades in one sitting but you would have to attain them at the first attempt.
We accept a wide range of qualifications and we look for high grades in Chemistry and Biology.
We believe everyone deserves an equal opportunity to study at Edinburgh, but we know that not everyone gets the same chance to show their academic potential at school or college. If you have experienced certain barriers that might make it more challenging for you to achieve our standard entry requirements, we want to take this into consideration and you may be eligible to apply based on our minimum entry requirements.
In addition to appropriate academic ability, we also look for work experience.
4 Year Programme: University Qualifications
We look for a 2.1 Hons degree or 3.4/4 cGPA in an appropriate BSc as well as high grades in our pre-requisite subjects.
Understanding which fee category applies to you is an important step in deciding if the course is right for you.
5 Year Programme
UK and Irish nationals applying for Veterinary Medicine from high school will receive funding to cover their tuition fees.
International students, including students from the EU (with the exception of the Republic of Ireland), are considered at the full fee rate. Students with a prior degree are also considered at the full fee rate regardless of nationality or domicile (including students from the UK and the Republic of Ireland). Full fee tuition is fixed for the duration of the programme according to the year of entry fee.
4 Year Programme
Anyone applying for the 4 Year Graduate Entry Programme is considered at the full fee rate, regardless of nationality of domicile.
Applications to Veterinary Medicine need to be submitted earlier compared to other undergraduate courses in the UK.
Application step by step guide
For 2024 entry, UCAS applications need to be submitted by 16th October 2023. You will also need to submit a Work Experience Summary Form by 22nd October 2023 to complete your application to the University of Edinburgh.
You can choose up to four Veterinary Medicine degrees as part of your application, but we strongly recommend using your fifth choice as well, although this must be for a non-veterinary programme.
For 2024 entry, VMCAS applications (open only to North American university students) must be submitted by 18th September 2023. No supplemental application is required, and we do not require GRE scores.
If you meet our entry requirements and present a competitive application, you will be selected to attend a BVM&S Interview between December and March. Offers are then made on the basis of performance at interview.
We aim to made decisions on offer by 31st March. You can decide whether to accept or decline your offer regardless of whether this is Conditional or Unconditional. Once you have accepted your offer, you can also start applying for University accommodation.
UCAS APPLICANTS
If you hear back from all institutions applied to by late May, you have until early June to respond via UCAS Track (note these dates are subject to change year on year). International and graduate applicants will also need to pay a £1,500.00 deposit towards their first year’s tuition fee.
VMCAS AND PARTNERSHIP APPLICANTS
Candidates will need to respond to their offer via email and pay a £1,500.00 deposit by 10th May.
If your offer is Conditional, you will need to send us electronic copies of official documents to show you have met the conditions we have set (i.e. final exam grades, additional work experience, degree awards, etc). Once we have reviewed your documents, we will make your offer Unconditional. Once your offer is Unconditional Firm, your accommodation will also be confirmed.
If you are an international student, you can start applying for your visa to study in the UK when you hold an Unconditional Firm offer.
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. You are required to complete the form prior to entry to the programme regardless of whether a disability or health condition was declared in your application, and enrolment is subject to Health Clearance.
You will receive further instructions on the enrolment process. Please note that the 4 Year Graduate Entry Programme starts in early August, whereas the 5 Year Programme starts in mid-September.