6 Important Steps to Become a Veterinarian

Becoming a veterinarian is a rewarding and fulfilling career that involves caring for animals and making a positive impact on their lives. 

If you're interested in pursuing a veterinary medicine course at a UK university, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of being accepted.

1. Choose the Right A-levels

To get onto a veterinary medicine course at a UK university, you will typically need to have studied specific subjects at A-level. 

These usually include biology and chemistry, and many universities also require physics and/or maths. Depending on how your AS levels go, you may have options.

Some universities may also consider other science subjects like psychology, environmental science, or geology. Be sure to check the specific requirements for the universities you're interested in applying to.

If you're struggling with the A-Level subjects that you need to pick, it may be worth finding an A-Level Chemistry tutor or an A-Level Biology tutor to get the grade you need to be accepted onto the course.

2. Apply Early

All UK universities have early application deadlines (15th October) for veterinary medicine courses, so it's important to plan ahead and submit your application as early as possible. 

Your teacher or a private tutor that has completed the process before can help you prepare for the steps needed.

3. Obtain Relevant Work Experience

Many UK universities require applicants to have relevant work experience, which can be gained through volunteering for charities, shadowing, or working in a veterinary practice. 

This experience can provide valuable insight into the profession and demonstrate your commitment to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. It can also help you develop skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

If you are not sure where to start, plenty students have been in the same boat. Consider asking student forums how they got their opportunity.

4. Write a Strong Personal Statement

A strong veterinary medicine personal statement should showcase your passion for the field and demonstrate your suitability for the course. 

Start by outlining why you're interested in veterinary medicine and what qualities you have that would make you a good vet. This could include your love for animals, your desire to help them, or your interest in science and medicine. 

Be specific about your experiences, such as any relevant work experience, extracurricular activities, or research projects you've undertaken. Use these experiences to demonstrate the skills and qualities you've developed, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and attention to detail. 

Finally, explain why you want to attend the specific university and what you hope to achieve from the course. Be sure to proofread your personal statement carefully and ask others to review it for feedback.

By following these steps, you can write a strong veterinary medicine personal statement that showcases your strengths and sets you apart from other applicants.

Some tutors offer specific help with writing personal statements. You can even search for 'Personal Statements' and a specific subject on Sherpa to find tutors who studied your dream degree at university, and can give specific advice on writing a personal statement for Veterinary Medicine. Click here to find a tutor to help with writing a personal statement.

5. Prepare for More Tests!

Some universities require additional tests such as SJTs (Situational Judgement Tests) and personal value assessments. A veterinary situational judgement test assesses your ability to make ethical and professional decisions in situations that you might encounter in your career as a veterinarian. 

To pass a veterinary situational judgement test, it's important to have a good understanding of the values and principles that guide the veterinary profession. Start by researching the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' Code of Professional Conduct and other ethical guidelines for veterinarians. Practise answering situational judgement questions that might be similar to those on the test, focusing on using the guidelines to help you make decisions. 

Be sure to read the questions carefully and consider all the options before selecting the best one. Remember, the goal of the test is to assess your ethical decision-making skills, so be honest, thoughtful, and consistent in your responses. 

By following these steps, you can increase your chances of passing a veterinary situational judgement test and demonstrating your professionalism and ethical standards.

6. Prepare for an Interview!

Preparing for a veterinary medicine university interview can be nerve-wracking, but there are several steps you can take to help ensure that you do well. 

Firstly, research the university and the course thoroughly so that you're familiar with their values, goals, and expectations. This will help you demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm during the interview. 

Secondly, practice answering common interview questions, such as why you want to study veterinary medicine and what qualities you have that would make you a good vet. This will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview. 

Finally, be sure to dress professionally and arrive on time, and demonstrate good body language and communication skills throughout the interview. By following these steps, you can show the interviewers that you're passionate, knowledgeable, and committed to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

In summary, veterinary medicine is an extremely hard course to even receive offers for, let alone gain a place. In the most recent cohort, only 18% of first-time applicants received an offer.

In short; don't give up! I myself decided to take 2 years off after college to gain work experience, as well as working full time as a tutor. At the time of writing this I have received 2 unconditional offers and made it through to the final stage of admissions for my remaining 2. 

My biggest piece of advice would be don’t rush into anything, if veterinary is your dream; follow it! Universities look very favourably upon a slightly older student.

If you’d like any help with maths, science or personal statements then please reach out through my profile linked below and book an initial consultation for free. Best of luck for the future!