Veterinary Medicine, VetMB
About this course
The VetMB in Veterinary Medicine, a veterinary medicine & surgery degree centred on scientific foundations and clinical practice, is structured as a six-year full-time programme. Successful completion of the initial three years leads to a BA (Hons) degree, while finishing the full six-year course awards both a BA and the VetMB qualification. Students are required to complete extramural studies during vacations, and graduates are eligible to seek membership with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The course begins with pre-clinical study, incorporating subjects such as year 3 Natural Sciences subject and year 3 Biological and Biomedical Sciences subject in Natural Sciences, in subjects such as Pathology, Physiology, Zoology, History and Ethics of Medicine, alongside supplementary topics like a subject less related to Veterinary Medicine, such as Anthropology or Management Studies. The later clinical phase shifts focus toward applied practice through modules including Small Animal First Opinion Practice (both general practice and charity practice), Small Animal Surgery (soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery), and Small Animal Medicine (including oncology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, and dermatology). Further clinical training is delivered via Pathology (both anatomic and clinical pathology), Equine Studies (including our first-opinion practice), Farm Animal Studies (first opinion practice, herd health and veterinary aspects of public health), and Anaesthesia. The final stages of the curriculum conclude with specialized areas covering Out-of-hours and Emergency Care and Diagnostic Imaging.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: A*AA IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level . You can't apply to this course if you: will not be 18 years old on 1 March of year 1. This is for safety and insurance reasons have failed or been excluded from another veterinary school To apply to any of our Colleges for Veterinary Medicine, you will need A levels/IB Higher Levels (or the equivalent) in: Chemistry At least one of Biology, Mathematics, or Physics. Most applicants for Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge have at least three science/mathematics A levels. If you’re studying Mathematics at IB Higher Level, we recommend Analysis and Approaches for the most competitive application, however Applications and Interpretations will also be considered. If you’re taking Further Maths, you should contact the admissions office of your shortlisted Colleges to see how it might contribute to your application.
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What students say
Based on about 26 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 96%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 77%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 90%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started
- Continued on course: 97%
- Left higher education: 3%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 70 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 7%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 9%
- East of England: 24%
- London: 15%
- South East: 21%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 6%
- Northern Ireland: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 65 students who started
- A levels: 91%
- Baccalaureate: 4%
- A degree: 4%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).
- Accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary surgeon with that body.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- year 3 Natural Sciences subject
- year 3 Biological and Biomedical Sciences subject in Natural Sciences, in subjects such as Pathology, Physiology, Zoology, History and Ethics of Medicine
- a subject less related to Veterinary Medicine, such as Anthropology or Management Studies
- Small Animal First Opinion Practice (both general practice and charity practice)
- Small Animal Surgery (soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery)
- Small Animal Medicine (including oncology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, and dermatology)
- Pathology (both anatomic and clinical pathology)
- Equine Studies (including our first-opinion practice)
- Farm Animal Studies (first opinion practice, herd health and veterinary aspects of public health)
- Anaesthesia
- Out-of-hours and Emergency Care
- Diagnostic Imaging
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Veterinary Medicine, VetMB at University of Cambridge earn?
The median salary is £36,000 after 3 years, £40,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,500 and £44,500. The £40,000 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Veterinary medicine and dentistry.
Are students happy with the teaching on Veterinary Medicine, VetMB at University of Cambridge?
96% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Veterinary Medicine, VetMB at University of Cambridge?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level, or 41 points in the IB. The average entrant had 200 UCAS points.
Is Veterinary Medicine, VetMB at University of Cambridge accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE). Accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary surgeon with that body.
How many students continue on Veterinary Medicine, VetMB at University of Cambridge?
97% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.