Top 5 Vet Med Schools in Europe

Studying veterinary medicine at one of the Top 5 Vet Med Schools in Europe, and becoming an animal doctor is one of the most humane professions on the planet. The profession is vivid and dynamic and gives you the opportunity to perform a large variety of tasks and work with all kinds of domestic or wild animals. From the southern to the northern globe, from lions to penguins, you can be trained to heal all animals.

Even though being a vet is quite an interesting life choice, the challenges of becoming one and getting the appropriate degree are vast. More info about the educational requirements for veterinarians to study at one of the top 5 vet schools in Europe can be found by reading our article on Veterinary Doctor vs. Veterinary Technician. Not only during the studies, but many students find it hard to start their doctor profession right after graduation because to be realistic it’s not that easy working with animals.

The impact of how well you are going to be prepared after finishing certainly depends on where you spent most of your 20’s. This article is for all future veterinarians eager to get a certificate from one of the Top 5 Vet Med schools in Europe. Check our Top 5 Veterinary Colleges in the US or Australia lists!

The rankings are designed by the team of QS WUR (World University Rankings) by the methodology of employers’ opinion, as well as the university research impact and their academic reputation. You can read the full list here.

The Top 5 Vet Med Schools in Europe

1. Royal Veterinary College – University of London

Established in 1791, in the English-speaking world, the RVC is the oldest institution to teach veterinary medicine to students. This veterinary school is the only exclusive one in the world to hold accreditations by some elite associations and organizations (Royal Society of Biology, AVBC – Australian Veterinary Boards Council, EAVE – European Association of Establishments of Veterinary Education, RCVS – Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the AVMA – American Veterinary Medicine Association).

The college offers domestic and foreign students undergraduate courses in veterinary medicine, biological sciences, and veterinary nursing, along with postgraduate courses in clinical training, both taught and researched. The five-year undergraduate course grants the students with BVetMed (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine) degree.

The academic requirements are high grades in biology, chemistry and one more subject, proper certificate of English language and at least two weeks of work experience in the field.

This institution is also ranked 2nd in the World for its Veterinary Programme.

2. Utrecht University – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Utrecht University is the only institution in The Netherlands that teaches young people veterinary science. The classes are only taught in Dutch. Except for teaching students how to practice veterinary medicine, they are also training them to do well in management, policy and applied research further on in life.

There are two main programs at the faculty: Bachelor (3 years) and Master of Veterinary Medicine (Additional 3 years). The educational process in the Master program is led by competency, in means that the faculty prepares students by enhancing the most important characteristics of a person needed for a good veterinarian. These include veterinary practice, cooperation, entrepreneurship, communication, health and welfare, personal development and academic practice. The curriculum grants the student with the DVM degree.

The faculty accepts students considering their high school diplomas and achievements. Foreign students go through an evaluation process, as well as a Dutch language test.

3. The University of Edinburgh – The Royal School of Veterinary Studies

Again, situated in the UK and founded in 1823, The RSVS takes the bronze medal in the list of best Vet Med Schools in Europe. Their courses are accredited by the AVMA, AVBC, EAEVE and RCVS and the degree of BVM&S (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgeon) is equivalent to the North American DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine).

The school offers two main programs: The accelerated Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Degree, lasting four years, and Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Degree lasting five, with the latter being more acknowledged. A relatively new branch is the Agricultural Science Program giving BSc (Hons) degree. Master and post-graduate studies can be accomplished on-campus or by online distance learning. The main gain is developing techniques, knowledge, and specialization for previously generally taught subjects.

The applicants for each academic year are interviewed and evaluated considering academic and non-academic achievements and have high grades in the Resit examination. Both domestic and foreign students are welcomed, but the ones from the UK have an advantage in getting a spot.

4. University of Cambridge – Department of Veterinary Medicine

Founded in 1949, the Cambridge Veterinary School finds itself in the fourth place as a part of one of the oldest and largest universities in Britain. The school is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, but not by the American Veterinary Medical Association. With the degree, you can work in most countries across the world.

The course of the study in order to get the BVetMed degree is six years, with the last one being a full-time clinic practice. In the third year of studies, students are able to choose the Zoology Bachelor course for specializing in exotic animals. CVS offers postgraduate research and clinical training scholarships.

As stated by the school itself, they do not demand at large and if you have been good in math and science in high school, then this is the place for you. Of course, the English language is a must, as well as some work experience prior to the studies.

5. Vetsuisse Faculty Bern and Zurich

This new entrant to the top 5 vet schools in Europe list, was founded in 2006, and is the culmination of the veterinary institutions of Bern and Zurich. 

It aims to educate its students in the “necessary scientific fundamentals for the understanding of biological correlation, in compliance with the dignity of the animals” in addition to providing education of a high caliber.

The wellbeing and health of all animals are a top priority at the institution, and they pride themselves on providing innovational research to this field of medicine.

Other Top Vet Schools in Europe

The 2020 European portion of this list is completed with the University of Copenhagen coming in at #10 on the list and has seen Ghent University in Belgium, just missing out on making the top honors by coming in at #11.

Even if some of these institutions are far from your home or you do not have sufficient funds to support your studies at one of them, you can always consider the option of student exchange programs that each one offers.

That way, even for a moment you can have a better glimpse at why they were listed under the top 10 Elite Vet Med Schools in Europe.