Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

Please note: We are no longer accepting applications for April 2025 . Please select either September 2025 or April 2026 if you wish to study in the 2025/2026 academic cycle. For deferred entry to the 2026/2027 academic cycle, please select September 2026 and contact the University of Nottingham with details of your preferred start date (September or April).

Our veterinary course boasts a 99% student satisfaction rate (National Student Survey 2021). You will get hands-on with animals and can choose when you start - September 2025 or April 2026.

You'll learn theory and practical aspects of domestic, wild and exotic species, with clinical experience integrated throughout the course. Practicing with our Clinical Associates on your placement year ensures you learn a varied case-load of animals and treatments.

Teaching is delivered through body system-based modules in years one and two, which integrate traditional medical subjects, such as anatomy and physiology. Topics are then repeated within a clinical module in year three or four.

Uniquely, our courses have an integrated BVMedSci, saving you a year of study, tuition fees and living costs. This part of the course will help enhance your ability for continual learning and development in veterinary medicine through research.

You will graduate with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) and Bachelor of Veterinary Surgery (BVS) degree. Plus gain an additional award of BVMedSci, after completing an integrated research project in your third year.

Theory and practical learning are integrated through body-system based modules. Each covering all the common domestic, wildlife, and exotic species. These modules are covered twice – in year one and two as a veterinary subject, and again in year three and four as a clinical subject.

During your first two years, you will learn the basic science which underpins veterinary medicine. This will include circulatory, respiratory, neuromuscular, endocrine, gastrointestinal and urogenital systems, as well as animal health and welfare. Teaching will be practical to help develop your clinical skills.

You will also develop animal handling skills, and an understanding of animal husbandry, relevant industries, and the role of animals in society. Professional skills such as teamwork, communication, decision-making and the professional role of the veterinary surgeon will also be covered.

In your third year there is the opportunity to focus on a research project of your choice. You will further develop your understanding of scientific principles and enhance your skills learnt from years one and two, in preparation for the clinical phase. You will also gain insight into veterinary public health.

Year four equips you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required to work in small animal, farm animal and equine clinical veterinary practice.

The final year consists of a series of rotated placements and clinical teaching with our Clinical Associates. These placements happen in veterinary hospitals or practices, farms, zoos and labs. Teaching and assessment uses observation, discussion, and practical experience. At each placement you will be under the supervision of University academic staff who are placed at, and working within, the Clinical Associate.

Extra Mural Studies (EMS):

A total of 12 weeks of Animal Husbandry Extra Mural Studies (AHEMS) and 26 weeks of Clinical Extra Mural Studies (CEMS) are also undertaken throughout the course. EMS and CEMS follow recommendations defined by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). EMS exposes you to the practical, ethical, financial, managerial, and interpersonal aspects of professional practice. EMS placements take place during University holidays as well as during timetabled weeks in years one and two.