Veterinary Medicine

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

All examination grades must be obtained at the first attempt of each subject.

If you are applying with resit qualifications, you will not be entered into the selection system except in very exceptional circumstances, for which you must have provided verified evidence prior to UCAS application.

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.

No special concessions are made for mature, non-graduate applicants. There is high competition for places, which means all applicants must have achieved the same academic requirements as school-leaving applicants within the three-year period prior to the date of application.

Graduate applicants: You may be considered for entry with a UK 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate science subject. If you have a degree in a non-science subject, you can still apply for the five-year programme, but you must have gained high grades in school-level science qualifications in Chemistry and Biology. If you have a science degree but you do not have enough key core science subjects covered and achieved at a high enough standard for the 4-year Graduate Entry Programme, you will be considered for the 5-year programme only. If you already have a degree and you are accepted on to this programme, you will have to pay fees on a full-cost basis.

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.

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 2026 for the 5-year BVM&S programme (September start).

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.
https://www.aavmc.org/

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

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.

You can find out more about the application process and requirements for veterinary medicine in the BVM&S application guide booklet.
https://vet.ed.ac.uk/education/undergraduate/multimedia

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply.

You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference. Applications with these details missing will not be considered.

Health checks

The University has a responsibility to ensure that students studying on a degree that involves practical training in a clinical environment, and that leads to a professional registerable qualification, are fit to practise. This is assessed according to the requirements and standards of the profession the student wishes to enter. You will be provided with further information on admission. Veterinary medicine is a practical subject and students must be able to handle and examine all animals safely and humanely. 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. If you have a disability, health condition or allergy that may impact your ability to perform practical procedures, then we recommend you discuss this with the Undergraduate Admissions Office before you apply. https://medicine-vet-medicine.ed.ac.uk/about/contacts

Interview

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. https://vet.ed.ac.uk/education/undergraduate/how-to-apply/interviews

Other

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. https://vet.ed.ac.uk/education/undergraduate/how-to-apply/wes-form

The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.