Zoology VS Veterinary medicine

I've wanted to be a vet since I was six and have been aiming for that most of my life. However, I am in year 12 now and have discovered zoology as another degree I could do. I love animals and care about conserving/saving them, however I have searched about careers I could go in if I choose zoology instead of veterinary medicine. A lot of people have said there really aren't many job options or that it is difficult to get a job after graduation (as I would expect, but the emphasis on lack of jobs has scared me).

In short, does anyone with experience of zoology or veterinary medicine have any advice?

I am not sure if I am fully aware of the differences - I know zoology is about studying the world using scientific methods, and veterinary medicine is similar but involves working closer with animals instead of a lab?

I am interested in the Internal workings of all animals and know that lab work is mandotary, however I would like to be able to interact with animals and directly help them.

I am torn between what to choose... Any advice?

The two degrees are really very different, as are their job prospects. The only way to know which you want to do is lots of work experience (you'll need to have done that anyway if you decide to apply to vet med) and that should help you decide if you want to go down the long hard route that is a vet med degree with pretty much a guaranteed job working with animals at the end of it, or the much easier zoology route which may not lead to a job. What ever you do, don't do zoology thinking it is an easy route into vet med, because the post grad route is never easy (or cheap).

I've wanted to be a vet since I was six and have been aiming for that most of my life. However, I am in year 12 now and have discovered zoology as another degree I could do. I love animals and care about conserving/saving them, however I have searched about careers I could go in if I choose zoology instead of veterinary medicine. A lot of people have said there really aren't many job options or that it is difficult to get a job after graduation (as I would expect, but the emphasis on lack of jobs has scared me).

In short, does anyone with experience of zoology or veterinary medicine have any advice?

I am not sure if I am fully aware of the differences - I know zoology is about studying the world using scientific methods, and veterinary medicine is similar but involves working closer with animals instead of a lab?

I am interested in the Internal workings of all animals and know that lab work is mandotary, however I would like to be able to interact with animals and directly help them.

I am torn between what to choose... Any advice?

The two degrees are really very different, as are their job prospects. The only way to know which you want to do is lots of work experience (you'll need to have done that anyway if you decide to apply to vet med) and that should help you decide if you want to go down the long hard route that is a vet med degree with pretty much a guaranteed job working with animals at the end of it, or the much easier zoology route which may not lead to a job. What ever you do, don't do zoology thinking it is an easy route into vet med, because the post grad route is never easy (or cheap).

The problem with Zoology is the lack of well paying jobs or even jobs at all at the end of the course. It all is highly dependant on getting your foot in the door at a zoo and who you know. It involves highly competitive unpaid internships before you have a chance of a position.Vets on the other hand are in short supply but surgery's have become increasingly corporate so at the moment it may not be the way it was in the past when you could open up your own surgery after a few years. However the shortage may change this situation back in the individuals favour.

In veterinary medicine can you specialise in certain groups of animals for example household pets, fan animals etc. Because I want to be a vet and I'm unsure about this.

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely be bearing this in mind for the future.I agree Vet med is very competitive, but i believe I can do it i just meed to put in the hours.
Even if vet med fails, like you said I've still got plan B which is zoological research
Thank you for helping

I am in the same boat, I am in the middle of my GCSE'S at the moment and know now that I want to do veterinary medicine. I've wanted to be a vet since learning about careers in year 8 but I am worried that I won't get the grades to get onto a good university course. The biggest worry I have is my A levels because I can only get a C/5 in maths GCSE so my sixth form hasn't allowed me to do Biology or Chemistry, instead I have to do applied sciences. I have thought about Zoology instead as the grades seem more lenient but the careers after uni are limited.

Have you considered changing schools Some will let you do biology and chemistry with a 5 in maths. You could look at being a veterinary nurse as an alternative.

I am a zoology graduate and now in my final year of veterinary. As others have said they are very different, there is actually very little overlap in the two degrees except maybe in preclinical stuff you do in first or second year and even then the emphasis is very different. Most of my class in zoology that have stayed in zoology have gone into academia. As for the others, lots left the field completely, some went into science education, two including myself into veterinary, some into non science fields. I would say unless you want to go into academia, or leave the country and go somewhere where there are more jobs in zoology, there is very little job opportunities. I absolutely loved doing zoology however I knew I always wanted to do veterinary in the end. If cost wasn’t an object I wouldn’t have changed what I did, but it was and it’s a significant cost to do it as a grad so if you feel vet is what you want go for it now.

Thank you so much this really gave me perspective and insight on what to choose