How to Become a Vet in the UK
Vets, known in the UK as veterinary surgeons, diagnose and treat sick and injured animals, carry out operations, vaccinate, advise owners and farmers on keeping animals healthy, and make difficult decisions about when treatment should stop. Most work in general practice with pets, but vets also work with farm animals and horses, in referral hospitals, zoos and wildlife centres, government animal health and food safety, research and the pharmaceutical industry.
In some countries the job is called a veterinary doctor. In the UK you become one by completing a veterinary degree accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and joining the RCVS register, which lets you use the title veterinary surgeon and the letters MRCVS. Places at vet school are among the most competitive of any degree, so this guide covers what vet schools look for, the routes in, how long it takes and what vets earn.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £32,000 - £40,000
- Mid-career salary
- £45,000 - £65,000
- Senior salary
- £70,000 - £120,000+ (specialist/owner)
- Work environment
- Clinic, farm, or zoo - emotionally demanding
- Time to entry
- 5 - 6 years (BVetMed/BVMS)
- Degree required
- Required
- Category
- Healthcare and Care
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What a Vet does
Diagnose and treat animals - companion, farm, or exotic.
- Equine Vet - Specialise in horses - racing, sport, and stud work.
- Veterinary Surgeon (Surgery) - Specialise in advanced surgical procedures.
How to become a vet in the UK
The standard route is a five-year veterinary degree, such as a BVSc, BVetMed or BVMS, at a UK university whose degree is accredited by the RCVS (the RCVS publishes the current list). Cambridge's course takes six years. Vet schools usually ask for top A level grades including chemistry and biology, and they want evidence of real work experience with animals: in a vet practice, on a farm (lambing and dairy work are common) and in other settings such as kennels, stables or rescue centres. Applications go through UCAS by the mid-October deadline, a year before you start, with a personal statement about your experience, and you can apply to up to four veterinary courses. Most schools then interview, often in a multiple mini interview format.
Some universities run a gateway or foundation year for applicants from widening participation backgrounds who have the potential but not the usual grades, which adds a year. Graduates with a related science degree can apply for an accelerated graduate-entry programme of about four years at some schools, but funding rules for a second degree are different, so check them before you apply.
During the degree you complete extra-mural studies placements in practices and on farms in your holidays. When you graduate you register with the RCVS, and in your first job you follow the Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP) with a trained adviser in your practice.
- Take chemistry and biology at A level (most vet schools also want a third science or maths) and aim for top grades, as places are very competitive.
- Build varied work experience before you apply: a vet practice, farm animal work such as lambing or dairy, and other animal settings like kennels or stables.
- Apply through UCAS by the mid-October deadline to vet schools whose degrees are accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
- Complete the veterinary degree, usually five years, including extra-mural studies placements in practice during the holidays.
- Register with the RCVS so you can practise as a veterinary surgeon in the UK.
- Start your first job on the RCVS Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP), with support from a trained adviser in your practice.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-year veterinary degree | 5 years | Tuition fee loan | School leavers with strong science A levels |
| Gateway or foundation year, then the degree | 6 years | Tuition fee loan | Applicants from widening participation backgrounds |
| Graduate entry veterinary programme | About 4 years | Often self-funded; check funding rules | Graduates with a related science degree |
How long it takes
Five years on a standard veterinary degree (six at Cambridge or with a gateway year), or about four years on a graduate-entry programme if you already have a related degree. Once you graduate and join the RCVS register, you can start work as a vet straight away, with support through VetGDP in your first job.
Vet salary in the UK
In TonyKnows career data, newly qualified vets start on around £32,000 to £40,000, experienced vets earn around £45,000 to £65,000, and specialists, senior clinicians and practice owners earn around £70,000 to £120,000 or more. Out-of-hours work, farm and equine practice, and RCVS-recognised specialist status can all add to pay.
Is vet a good career?
Being a vet is a strong career for people who genuinely love animals, can handle rigorous clinical and surgical work, and can sustain emotional resilience. Job security is excellent, the qualification is portable, and the work is varied. Trade-offs are well-documented and serious: significant student debt (£60,000-£90,000+ for the degree), the well-known mental health pressures in the profession (vets have one of the highest occupational suicide rates in the UK - real and important), and the emotional load of euthanasia and difficult client conversations.
Key skills
- Empathy
- Decision making
- Stamina
- Communication with owners
How to retrain as a vet
Vets need a veterinary degree accredited by the RCVS, five or six years, or a four-year graduate-entry course at some universities. Entry is very competitive and needs significant animal experience.
Routes for adults
- Graduate-entry veterinary medicine - Four years at some vet schools, usually for graduates in a relevant science.
- Standard veterinary degree - Five or six years.
Paying for it
Funding for a second degree is limited and fees are high, so check each university and Student Finance England carefully.
Retraining at 40 or 50
Possible, but long and expensive. Veterinary nursing is a shorter route into animal care.
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Vet FAQs
How do I become a vet in the UK?
Complete a veterinary degree accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, usually five years, then register with the RCVS. Vet schools want top A level grades including chemistry and biology, plus varied work experience with animals in practice and on farms.
How long does it take to become a vet (veterinary doctor)?
Usually five years at vet school, or six at Cambridge or with a gateway year. Graduates with a related science degree can take a graduate-entry programme of about four years at some universities. After that you register with the RCVS and start work.
What A levels do you need to be a vet?
Chemistry and biology are expected by almost every UK vet school, usually with a third science or maths, and the grades asked for are among the highest of any degree. Gateway or foundation year courses accept lower grades for eligible widening participation applicants.
How much work experience do you need for vet school?
Each vet school sets its own requirements, so check them early. Most want experience in a vet practice and with farm animals, plus other animal settings such as kennels, stables or rescue centres, and they care about what you learned as much as the number of weeks.
How much do vets earn in the UK?
TonyKnows career data puts newly qualified vets at around £32,000 to £40,000, experienced vets at £45,000 to £65,000, and specialists, senior clinicians and practice owners at £70,000 to £120,000 or more.
Is Vet right for you?
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