Veterinary courses?

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myfatpony

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now i know it might be a bit early to be thinking bout this as im only in my gcse year but i really would love to be an equestrian vet or large animals. anyway i was just wondering what grades you need and subjects at gcse/a level and what universities do veterinary courses? i live in the north east so any up here?
 
All A's and A*s at GCSEs (they say a minimum of As or Bs in Maths and English but realisitically you need all As and A*s as its very competitive) and then a minimum of 3 As at A levels but most want 4 As at A level in Chemistry, Biology, then either Maths or Physics and one other subject. You also need a lot of work experience first!

Start doing the work experience in the summer hols this year to see if thats what you want to do as well as its very hard but if your determined its well worth it! When you qualify you would need to specialise in equine/large animals as well after a few years working in a mixed practice :).
 
I can't help you with what grades you need etc but suggest that you apply early for a work experiance place as these are very hard to come by and very popular, this would give you a good insight into this world and help you with your education grades.

I have a very good friend that is in his second year at London and it's omne long hard slog - be prepared for seven years of hard study. But wow if you make it what a job !! Good luck with your dreams.
 
Science subjects, and definitely not too early! You need to start doing work experience now, some courses are particularly hard regards work experience. If you google getting into veterinary etc. you will get lots of info.
Your best bet is now to go to the university websites and start making sure you are fulfilling their requirements.
Generally, all a's at gcsea and 2 A's and a (MINIMUM) at A leve, science and maths subjects generally.
The universities are:
Liverpool
Nottingham
Edinburgh
glasgow
London(RVC)
Cambridge
Bristol
dublin (not UK but close enough(need 4 A levels for it though)
 
6 years at Cambridge as the intercalated BA is compulsory... You can do pretty well anything from Zoology to Neuroscience, and end up with an MA a couple of years after you graduate from vet school..
 
Its never too early!!!
How about asking for a Saturday job in your local practice? (Yes, you will be mucking out and washing up for a while) - Dont forget GCSE's have 2 weeks work experience to fill.
But if you impress them they may let you watch or help in other work - and its this experience that will let you see the job - its NOT like it is on TV!!
It might be no pay, or it might be min wage (still it adds up at your age!)

Good Luck! What a job, what a life!!!
 
thanks for all the info, unfortunatly i tried work experience at a couple of local vets but you at to be over 16 and doing a vet collage course. but instead im gonna try and see if i can get into a racing yard so hopefully fingers crossed. and i was plannning on going to the cat and dog shelter this summer so hopefully all this will count. & id better get working and revising hard!
 
build your cv. a few weeks lambing, a few weeks calving and milking, some pheasant work, some vet practise work. farm work, horse yard work.(livery/breeding/racing), kennel work. cattery work. the broader your cv the better. have you done DOE? teeam sports etc. your application has to stand out.
 
what exam board are you currently studying within science - I assume you are doing GCSE sciences (combined or single/triple sciences?) rather than applied science or Btec.

You need Biology (most imp) then Chemistry, perhaps Physics and/or Maths, Try taking a couple extra A levels to broaden your horizons and extend your overall view of the world. The GCSE's will need to be a minimum of A ideally A* (again exam board info with help me) to get you into a FANTASTIC college or 6th form. Please choose the College VERY carefully. Try taking on some work experience at a local vets practice alongside.

The obv the University choice!
 
I'm trying my hardest to get a place on a vet med course atm! Im on a gap year having been unsuccessful last year. I have unfortunatly had 2 rejections this year, still waiting for another 2 to reply.

fatlad101 said:
unfortunatly i tried work experience at a couple of local vets but you at to be over 16 and doing a vet collage course. but instead im gonna try and see if i can get into a racing yard so hopefully fingers crossed. and i was plannning on going to the cat and dog shelter this summer so hopefully all this will count. & id better get working and revising hard!
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Book in with them for when you turn 16! They are hard to get experience with as they have to take vet students who book way in advance.

Work experience is VITAL!!! they wont even look at you unless you have tonnes!! Also try and make it as varied as possible.


Dancing Queen said:
You need Biology (most imp) then Chemistry, perhaps Physics and/or Maths, Try taking a couple extra A levels to broaden your horizons and extend your overall view of the world.
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Actually Chemistry is considered most important, its the one most the unis demand and A in. (although you need at least all As anyway)

I wouldnt suggest doing more A-levels. 3 science A-levels are more than enough work to cope with!! Especially when your trying to get work experience aswell!!

Hope that helps a bit!

If you need anymore help feel free to PM me anytime. I have been/am going through the whole process so hopefully I amof some use!

Emily
 
check with the relevant course providers, but you will need Biology as the most important - changes to a heavy content of Biochemistry later as you progress through the course.
The better qualified you can be and the more work experience you can achieve the better the chance of securing a good course.
 
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