Question on Applying to Veterinary School

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in Year 11 (UK system) and planning to apply for veterinary medicine in the future. I’m doing the IB Diploma Programme and scored 41/45 last year. I’m not sure which universities would be the best fit for me, and I’d really appreciate some advice from others.

I have a few questions:

Which veterinary school is recommended? I'm not planning to apply to Cambridge and RVC (too competitive), and the rest of the school all seems really nice (Bristol, Liverpool, etc.). Is there any specific one that is recommended?

How many hours (and what kind) of clinical or animal-related experience do vet schools usually expect?

Most universities list 36–38 points with 18 at HL as the minimum IB requirement, but what are the realistic grades that applicants usually have? (What's the grade that actually gets you in? )

Any general tips for the application would be appreciated :smile:

Thank you so much for your help

Reply 1

sadiec47

Original post

by jasperchen111

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in Year 11 (UK system) and planning to apply for veterinary medicine in the future. I’m doing the IB Diploma Programme and scored 41/45 last year. I’m not sure which universities would be the best fit for me, and I’d really appreciate some advice from others.
I have a few questions:
Which veterinary school is recommended? I'm not planning to apply to Cambridge and RVC (too competitive), and the rest of the school all seems really nice (Bristol, Liverpool, etc.). Is there any specific one that is recommended?
How many hours (and what kind) of clinical or animal-related experience do vet schools usually expect?
Most universities list 36–38 points with 18 at HL as the minimum IB requirement, but what are the realistic grades that applicants usually have? (What's the grade that actually gets you in? )
Any general tips for the application would be appreciated :smile:

Thank you so much for your help

Hi! If you check the admissions section on the university websites, they will have their work experience requirements as its different for each uni. I think it's useful to get at least 2 weeks clinical work experience and 2 weeks animal husbandry. I don't do IB, but I'm assuming (like with A-level), as long as you meet the minimum grade then you can get in. I recommend going to open days. I think Nottingham is really nice.
Hope this helps and good luck :smile:

Reply 2

Brucieboy

Original post

by jasperchen111

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in Year 11 (UK system) and planning to apply for veterinary medicine in the future. I’m doing the IB Diploma Programme and scored 41/45 last year. I’m not sure which universities would be the best fit for me, and I’d really appreciate some advice from others.
I have a few questions:
Which veterinary school is recommended? I'm not planning to apply to Cambridge and RVC (too competitive), and the rest of the school all seems really nice (Bristol, Liverpool, etc.). Is there any specific one that is recommended?
How many hours (and what kind) of clinical or animal-related experience do vet schools usually expect?
Most universities list 36–38 points with 18 at HL as the minimum IB requirement, but what are the realistic grades that applicants usually have? (What's the grade that actually gets you in? )
Any general tips for the application would be appreciated :smile:

Thank you so much for your help

This document is updated each year and might be a useful starting point: https://www.vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/VSC-course-guide-2026.pdf Read the admissions policy for each university too.

Reply 3

marti3x

Original post

by jasperchen111

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in Year 11 (UK system) and planning to apply for veterinary medicine in the future. I’m doing the IB Diploma Programme and scored 41/45 last year. I’m not sure which universities would be the best fit for me, and I’d really appreciate some advice from others.
I have a few questions:
Which veterinary school is recommended? I'm not planning to apply to Cambridge and RVC (too competitive), and the rest of the school all seems really nice (Bristol, Liverpool, etc.). Is there any specific one that is recommended?
How many hours (and what kind) of clinical or animal-related experience do vet schools usually expect?
Most universities list 36–38 points with 18 at HL as the minimum IB requirement, but what are the realistic grades that applicants usually have? (What's the grade that actually gets you in? )
Any general tips for the application would be appreciated :smile:

Thank you so much for your help

Hi! I am a current first year vet student at RVC and I applied to Nottingham, Liverpool and Surrey as well. I graduated this year from the IB program and got a 39 and 666 in my HLs, my offer from RVC was 666 in my HLs, the minimum grades listed on the course requirements page are the grades that get you in, higher grades don't really help score you above other applicants as they only look at grades to ensure you pass that threshold and then it depends completely on your pre-interview and interview assessments.

Are you an international or home student? If you're an international student you might find that a vet school like Nottingham could be more competitive than RVC as RVC gives more offers to international students than Nottingham does. However, when it comes to choosing vet schools you shouldn't focus on acceptance rates or how competitive different vet schools are as veterinary medicine is going to be a difficult degree to get into regardless. Focus on what vet schools fit you the best, campus, teaching, spend some time really digging in and doing the research as this will be the place you will study and live in for 5 years!

Generally, vet schools have reduced or eliminated their minimum work experience requirements, I would just recommend to do 70hrs non-clinical and 70hrs clinical as a minimum as this should be sufficient to apply to any uk vet school but keep in mind that work experience is always quality over quantity. Just try to make the most of all your work experience placements by getting involved as much as you can! Please double check work experience requirements for the vet schools you are interested in though as the requirements can change.
My favourite work experience placement was lambing as it was super hands on, learnt so so much and it really helped me during both the application process and now starting vet school as being even just a little bit familiar with some farm related things can be very useful. So if you have the opportunity to take on any kind of farm placement I would really recommend it as it is the best kind to really get hands on.