Veterinary Science: A levels?

Hi,

I would like to do veterinary science/medicine when I go to university. However i’ve had issues with what A-levels to take.
Originally i wanted to take Biology Chemistry and Art but i’m a little worried i will not be able to get into universities with these.

I was wondering if anyone had advice like on if i should change art etc.

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

TheVirtualPhoton

Hey, taking art as your 3rd option shouldn't be an issue when you look at the entry requirements for each vet school:

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Aberystwyth (https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/vet-sci/bvsc-vet/#entry-requirements): AAA in biology + chemistry + 3rd subject of your choice

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Bristol (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/2023/vet-science/bvsc-veterinary-science/): AAA in chemistry + 2nd subject of science/maths + 3rd subject of your choice

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Cambridge (https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/veterinary-medicine): A*AA in chemistry + 2nd subject of science/maths + 3rd subject of your choice, though the website says "most applicants for Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge have at least three science/mathematics A Levels and some Colleges require this and/or particular subjects;" the website also has a PDF of typical offers by college (sometimes they specify which subjects need A*)

•

Edinburgh (https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees/index.php?action=view&code=D100): AAA in biology + chemistry + 3rd subject of your choice

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Glasgow (https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/veterinarymedicine/#tab=entry): AAA in biology + chemistry + 3rd subject of your choice

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Harper and Keele (https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduatecourses/veterinarymedicineandsurgery/#entry-reqs): A in biology + A in chemistry + B in 3rd subject of your choice

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Liverpool (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/courses/2023/veterinary-science-bvsc): AAA in biology + chemistry + 3rd subject of your choice

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Nottingham (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Veterinary-Medicine-and-Surgery-BVM-BVS-with-BVMedSci-BVMBVS-U6UVTMVS.html): A in biology + A in chemistry + B in 3rd subject of your choice

•

RVC (https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-veterinary-medicine#panel-a-levels): AAA in biology + chemistry + 3rd subject of your choice

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Surrey (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/veterinary-medicine-and-science#entry): AAA in biology + chemistry + 3rd subject of your choice

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UCLan (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/veterinary-medicine-and-science#entry): AAB in 2 science subjects or ABB in 3 science subjects/2 science with maths; again a little complicated so I would suggest looking at this link if you're considering applying here (but bio + chem + art meets the requirements)

So, taking bio + chem + art does meet the entry requirements for all of the vet schools (though just be careful about Cambridge). I can't say I know of anyone who did bio + chem + art, and most people I know did the generic bio + chem + maths/physics or some had e.g. geography/psychology/history as their 3rd; whether this is because people with art as their 3rd are less common or less successful who knows (apart from some application statistic overlord), but I'd suspect the former, that just less people do it. Hopefully someone else here on TSR is/knows an applicant with art A level :smile:

Getting an A in art because you're good at it and enjoyed yourself is certainly better than a C in maths because you dragged yourself through it because you thought you had to! (No idea if that applies to you, just an example!)

(edited 6 months ago)

Reply 2

louisvbird

Universities Forum Helper

As long as you meet the grades, Biology, Chemistry and Art will give you a fine chance at vet school. As far as we are told, there is no benefit to studying a third science A Level. :smile:

Reply 3

RambleAmple

Above have answered but if you wanted some reassurance I do know some people in my year who have come from more of an art background and even done a first degree in art and are now at vet school, so it is possible and not unheard of :smile:

As long as it something you feel you can securely get an A in at A Level then I would totally go for what you enjoy as your third subject, it doesn't make a difference to unis except Cambridge.

Reply 4

riekko

Hi, I'm actually taking maths chemistry biology and art as my a levels but I've spoken to many vets around me and you do not need maths to get in! Art is absolutely fine :smile: