Study Veterinary Medicine In Europe

Why Study Veterinary Medicine in Europe?

Choosing to study Veterinary Medicine abroad is a great way to get a place on a programme if you weren’t successful in the UK.

In addition, studying Veterinary Medicine in Europe offers a number of benefits:

• High-quality education standards. European universities are renowned for their rigorous academic programmes and high educational standards. Many veterinary schools in Europe are accredited by international organisations, ensuring that the education you receive is recognised globally. For example, University of Nicosia’s DVM programme is an EU-accredited degree and is listed in the EU directive for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications (2005/36/EC).
• Opportunities for practical experience. Studying in a European country gives you the advantage of being in close proximity to a large variety of ecosystems to gain practical experience in. For example, working with farm animals in rural settings, treating exotic species in urban clinics or working with wildlife reserves.
• Lower cost of living. Most European countries are cheaper to live in than the UK, meaning clinical training programmes come with less financial strain.
• Cultural benefits. Studying in Europe doesn’t just have academic benefits: it’s also a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture, build a global network of friends and even potentially learn a new language.

Popular Locations for Veterinary Studies in Europe

Some countries with universities offering excellent veterinary medicine courses include:

• Cyprus – The University of Nicosia
• Czechia – University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno
• France – National Veterinary School (École Nationale Vétérinaire) in Alfort, Lyon, Toulouse, and Nantes
• Germany – University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Free University of Berlin
• Hungary – University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest
• Italy – University of Bologna, University of Milan, University of Padua
• Netherlands – Utrecht University
• Spain – Complutense University of Madrid, University of Barcelona, University of Córdoba

Admission Requirements and Application Process

Admission requirements vary from school to school.

For example, the University of Nicosia requires A Levels with grades ABB, to include Chemistry and one of either Biology, Physics or Maths, and one more subject, although students with BBB in A Levels are also advised to apply. As long as you meet these requirements, you are guaranteed an interview.

In the interview, applicants need to demonstrate through volunteer experience that they have an understanding of the biological, psychological and social dimensions of veterinary medicine to support their application, thereby displaying their suitability for a career in veterinary medicine.

UK students will also need a visa to study in most European countries now, but the university’s student services team will often facilitate this process.

There is also a clearing process for veterinary medicine if you don’t achieve your offer.

Language Requirements and Support

It can be intimidating studying in a country where you don’t know the language. However, international universities are prepared for this and ready to help.

Many universities offer language prep courses, such as the University of Nicosia – which offers free Greek classes to all Veterinary Medical School students to help them learn the local language, even though English is widely spoken everywhere and they teach primarily in English.

Costs and Funding Opportunities

The tuition fees for European Universities can often be lower than their UK counterparts, with scholarships or financial aid readily available.

As an example, at the University of Nicosia, annual tuition is €20,000 for the 5 years of study. Living costs depend on your lifestyle but on average, staying in Nicosia for the whole year will cost a minimum of €12,000.

All students applying for entry in Autumn 2024 will also be awarded a 20% scholarship for the duration of their studies and may apply for a further 10% financial needs-based scholarship to cover up to 30% of tuition costs per year.

Is Studying Veterinary Medicine Abroad Right For You?

There are clearly many benefits to studying all areas of Medicine in Europe, including cultural and financial advantages.

However, this isn’t to say that it’s an easy option. You will be signing up to studying a challenging degree in another country for five years of your life, and you will also have to finance your studies and living costs with limited access to student finance.

To find out whether studying abroad is right for you, take our medicine-based quiz.