Updated at: 15-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Some may be surprised to learn that veterinary colleges are notoriously picky about who they let in.

The selective admissions process, however, makes sense when one considers the wide variety of animals that require a veterinarian’s attention.

Even though veterinary medicine requires a level of scientific training and education not dissimilar to that of human medical practice, the number of accredited veterinary schools is tiny in comparison to that of human medical schools, at least in the United States.

Many would-be veterinarians have to contend with strict admissions requirements, which is in part due to the relative scarcity of educational opportunities available to them.

Veterinarians are in high demand because of the large number of animals that are kept as both livestock and pets around the world.

The competitive admissions climate is driven not only by the economic requirements of industrial animal husbandry, but also by the love that pet owners have for their animals and the passion that aspiring veterinarians have for animal welfare.

Under the current admissions climate, aspiring veterinarians need to be aware of their top choices for veterinary schools.

Best Veterinary Schools In The World

Best veterinary schools in the world

University of California, Davis

The University of California includes the University of California at Davis. The University has a long tradition of academic excellence and serves the public as a research institution.

The University’s Veterinary College is also ranked first in the world by QS World University.

The graduate clinical residency program, the graduate academic Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs, and the professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program are just a few of the options available to students at this university.

Utrecht University

Utrecht University

Utrecht University, established in 1663 in Utrecht, Netherlands, is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest educational institutions. The Utrecht University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is primarily concerned with the teaching, study, and treatment of animals.

There are eight different departments and an inter-faculty institute responsible for carrying out these duties. The Central Laboratory Animal Research Facility is also part of the faculty.

The University also provides a wide range of academic programs across the sciences, humanities, law, engineering, etc. As of the year 2023, the veterinary program at Utrecht University is among the best in the entire world.

University of Pennsylvania

According to the QS World University Rankings for 2023, the Vet School at the University of Pennsylvania is among the best in the world. Ivy League research university and private institution.

PennVet believes that veterinarians play a crucial role in protecting public health and food safety on a global scale through the identification and management of exotic and newly emerging diseases of livestock and poultry, including those that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Given the high volume of applications the University receives each year, acceptance into any degree program is a fiercely contested battleground.

University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is the sixth-oldest institution of higher education in the English-speaking world.

Edinburgh University, established in 1582, is home to one of the world’s leading veterinary science programs.

When it comes to veterinary medicine, education, and research, no institution compares to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. One of the world’s first veterinary colleges, it was established by William Dick in 1823.

When it comes to veterinary medicine, no other institution compares to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

University of Bern

The six-semester Bachelor of Veterinary Science program at the University of Bern provides students with the foundational knowledge they need to pursue advanced degrees in the field.

In the first year of study, students are introduced to the fundamentals of veterinary medicine, including anatomy and physiology, genetics, and pathology.

This foundational knowledge is then expanded upon and animal organ systems are covered in depth in years two and three of the undergraduate curriculum.

The University of Bern’s Master of Veterinary Medicine program requires five semesters of study from aspiring veterinarians.

Graduate students in veterinary medicine have the option of focusing their studies on either clinical or nonclinical areas, and the curriculum for both options is comprehensive.

The veterinary medicine program has a competitive admissions process and primarily uses German as the language of instruction.

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

Multiple veterinary medicine degree options are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at Vienna, Austria’s University of Veterinary Medicine. The university also provides advanced degrees at the doctoral and PhD levels.

Both a Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine and Biotechnology and a Bachelor of Science in Equine Sciences are available to undergraduates.

Courses leading to a Master of Science degree can be found in fields like evolutionary systems biology, precision animal health, and comparative biomedicine.

After three years of study, graduates of the school’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program are prepared for careers in applied research in veterinary medicine.

The doctoral program at this institution also lasts three years and is designed to train future veterinarians and scientists.

Royal Veterinary College

The Royal Veterinary College in London awards a variety of bachelor’s degrees in veterinary medicine and science as well as veterinary nursing.

The first two years of the college’s Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine program focus on providing students with the foundational knowledge needed by veterinarians, while the third through fifth years teach students the skills and knowledge required for working with others and engaging in clinical practice.

The Royal Veterinary College, in conjunction with Aberystwyth University, provides a Bachelor of Veterinary Science program that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases.

The four-year B.S. in Veterinary Nursing program prepares students to provide routine medical care, diagnostics, and treatment to a wide range of animals.

Opportunities for advanced study, clinical practice, and research are abundant for graduates of this institution.

Ghent University (Ghent, BE)

Ghent University in Belgium is the best veterinary school in the world, in our opinion. The university accommodates students at any stage of their academic careers by providing undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate veterinary medicine programs.

The first two years of the bachelor’s program are dedicated to learning the foundations of veterinary science, covering topics like biology, chemistry, and zoology.

Before earning their Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine degree, students spend the second and third years of the program studying both healthy animals and potential diseases.

It takes another three years after undergraduate study for students to earn the Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine at this institution. Lectures, laboratory work, and clinical rotations all make up the curriculum for the graduate school.

In the final year of the master’s program, students must complete a thesis and focus on one of five areas of concentration.

Cornell University

Cornell is a private university in Ithaca, New York, and one of the eight charter members of the Ivy League. When it comes to veterinary medical education, animal medicine, biomedical research, and public health, no institution compares to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. They provide basic education in the form of doctoral, master’s, and dual degree programs, as well as a variety of electives and workshops for professionals already in the field.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University

In 2021, Ohio State University’s veterinary school is ranked among the best in the country. The acceptance rate at the University, a public research institution, is about par for the course.

Wageningen University & Research

The University of Wageningen in the Netherlands is a public research institution. Students interested in Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Science often choose to attend the University.

University of Melbourne – Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences

A veterinary degree from the University of Melbourne prepares you for a wide variety of careers in the veterinary field, including those working with small and large animals, as agricultural animal welfare supervisors, as equine health professionals, as government veterinarians monitoring wildlife health, and as veterinarians in zoos. Currently, it is home to one of the most prestigious veterinary schools anywhere.

University of Liverpool

Liverpool University is a public research institution with a rich tradition of academic achievement in veterinary medicine and other fields. Liverpool’s Institute of Veterinary Science is an international powerhouse in veterinary education. In addition, the campus is home to two functional farms and two medical facilities that serve as referral centers. There are also three first opinion practices where students can gain practical experience in equine, large animal, and small animal veterinary medicine.

UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine – USA

The education and degree awarded by the Davis School of Veterinary Medicine are also well-known for their high quality, as they are universally acknowledged as a guarantee of competence in the field of veterinary medicine. The veterinary program at Davis is one of the most extensive and attractive of its kind.

For the fifth year in a row, the Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has been named the top veterinary school in the United States.

University of Guelph

University of Guelph

The veterinary school at this Canadian institution is ranked highly by QS. The accomplishments of this institution since its inception in 1964 are sufficient to warrant this honor.

The post-secondary institution in Guelph, Ontario, is renowned for its excellent educational programs and cutting-edge research facilities.

Separate laboratories have been set up for each department as part of the administration’s efforts to make the learning environment as pleasant as possible.

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 after Pope Alexander VI issued an edict mandating the creation of a center of higher learning in Scotland. Comparing it to other English-speaking countries, it has the fourth-oldest universities.

The United Kingdom is home to a number of excellent universities that offer veterinary medicine courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

FAQs

Is being a vet worth it?

Vets can make anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000 a year. There will always be a need for veterinarians so long as there are animals. Animal medicine offers a wide range of intellectual and emotional benefits.

Can I get into Vet school with 3.2 GPA?

A 3.2 GPA is acceptable for entry into veterinary school.

Is Vet School harder than Med School?

The competition to get into veterinary school has increased in recent years, making it slightly more difficult to enter medical school. The common belief, especially among veterinarians, is that it is more difficult to gain admission to veterinary school than medical school.

How hard is it to be a vet?

Apparently there is more to becoming a veterinarian than spending time with cute small animals. Long hours and unexpected cases make for a challenging work environment. However, the right person can earn a lot of money in the veterinary medicine field.

Are vets in high demand?

Faster-than-average job growth for veterinarians is predicted to reach 17% by 2030. There will be an average of 4,400 new positions in the field of veterinary medicine created each year over the next decade.

Conclusion

In addition to the aforementioned institutions, some of the world’s best veterinary schools can be found at the University of Sydney, the University of Liverpool, the University of Copenhagen, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

However, if you want to succeed academically in veterinary school, it’s important to read ahead of your teachers, avoid cramming, and create a study routine that works for you.

Get enough sleep, join a support group, and participate in the events organized by your professional organization.

Fantastic; I do hope your query was addressed by this article.