What do I have to do to become an equine vet is a question that we are asked regularly. If this is your chosen career path it is a very competitive one and so it is important to start preparing as early as secondary school.
The first real chance you get to start preparing is choosing your options for GCSEs. We would recommend that you choose to take separate sciences where possible along with Maths and English and choose other academic subjects rather than arts or drama.
The next thing is your organised work experience with school. Try and get in early and get a slot with the local equine vets, if places are likely to be fought over it may be worth planning this way ahead so that you get the first slot.
This one week of work experience will not be enough to secure you a place at veterinary school. In addition to this you should try and get as much experience as possible over summers and other holidays whilst still studying for GCSEs and A Levels. This should include not just within veterinary practices but also on farms, working yards, even at a Zoo if possible. The more experience you can get the more likely you will be to show the selectors that you are serious.
Once you have your GCSEs you will need to move on to your A-levels. At A level the minimum requirement is 2 A's and 1 B however some universities will only consider 3 A's. The subjects you will need include Biology and either one or two subjects from Maths, Chemistry and Physics depending on the university. If your third subject is a non-scientific subject it must be considered an academic subject, again drama, arts and 'soft subjects' will not be considered.
Your school or college will advise you when you need to start looking at your university options and it is worth noting that the applications for vet school often close before applications to other courses so your UCAS application needs to be in promptly to be considered.
There are seven approved veterinary schools in the UK. These are: Liverpool (which has a fantastic equine unit and should be considered as a primary choice for those wanting to specialise in equine down the line), Glasgow, Cambridge, Bristol, Edinburgh, Nottingham and the Royal Veterinary College London.
Once you get in to university you will find that your student life is very different to those studying other courses. You will be expected to attend lectures from 9 till 5 everyday where as your peers might not do that many hours in a whole week. You will also find that you are unable to use your holidays to earn extra money as you will be out on placement and will not have time to hold down a job.
You do not specialise as an Equine Vet while at uni you still need to study the main stream veterinary course and register with the RCVS. Once graduated you may wish to join a specialist practice as a junior to gain more specialised experience with horses however you may also need to consider that depending on availability of work when you graduate you may have to spend some time in general practice.
To get further information on this or similar topics please visit Equine Professional Articles. We provide a range of articles full of useful information for those who work or are considering a career as an Equine Professional
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