University of Cambridge · Undergraduate
Vet.M.B (Hons) Veterinary Medicine Degree at the University of Cambridge
Vet.M.B (Hons) Veterinary Medicine at University of Cambridge is built around a clear progression: you gain the scientific knowledge first, then move into clinical settings to apply what you've learned.
Degree
Award
6
Years
Full-time
Study mode
100%
continuation
About this course
Take your first step to a career in veterinary medicine. You'll gain the scientific knowledge, then apply your skills in clinical settings. From the provider’s course page.
Vet.M.B (Hons) Veterinary Medicine is a Degree (Degree) at the University of Cambridge. It runs 6 years, studied full-time.
For Veterinary medicine and dentistry graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £35,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Medicine & Dentistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
9.3
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent86
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional100
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1-2 11 modules
- Principles of Animal Management
Module details
Study animal husbandry and management, including comprehensive animal handling training
- Preparing for the Veterinary Profession
Module details
Introduces you to the professional, ethical, financial, legal and social dimensions of your chosen career
- Homeostasis
Module details
Covering the physiological systems which underpin the animal body's regulation of its internal environment and responses to external threats
- Molecules in Medical Science
Module details
Looks at the chemical and molecular basis of how cells and organisms work, as well as the genetic foundations of animal populations
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
Module details
Learn about the functional anatomy of organs and tissues of domestic animals. You will also dissect eight different animal species and learn about diagnostic imaging and topographic anatomy
- Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice
Module details
Covering epidemiology and how it's applied in veterinary medicine
- Biology of Disease
Module details
Deals with the nature and mechanisms of disease processes, and the mechanisms by which animals detect, resist and destroy agents of disease
- Mechanisms of Drug Action
Module details
Providing a clinically-focused understanding of how drugs enter, affect and are removed from animals' bodies
- Neurobiology and Animal Behaviour
Module details
Covers the structure and function of the sense organs and central nervous system, and introductions to neurological examinations of live animals
- Veterinary Reproductive Biology
Module details
Look at the physiology of fertility, pregnancy, development, birth and the neonate in domestic animals
- Comparative Vertebrate Biology
Module details
Introduction to the biology of fish, reptiles, birds, rodents and 'exotic' mammals. You also have practical classes in the handling and husbandry of these species
Year 4-5 9 modules
- Principles of clinical practice
Module details
Surgery, anaesthesia, radiography and radiology, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, oncology, clinical pathology, integrated animal management
- Principles of infectious diseases
- Farm Animal Studies: Cattle
Module details
Covering medicine, surgery, reproduction/infertility/obstetrics and management in an integrated fashion
- Farm Animal Studies: Small Ruminants
Module details
Covering medicine, surgery, reproduction/infertility/obstetrics and management in an integrated fashion
- Farm Animal Studies: Pigs
Module details
Covering medicine, surgery, reproduction/infertility/obstetrics and management in an integrated fashion
- Farm Animal Studies: Poultry
Module details
Covering medicine, surgery, reproduction/infertility/obstetrics and management in an integrated fashion
- Equine Studies
- Small Animal Studies
Module details
Includes a range of companion animal species, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and birds
- Veterinary Public Health
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is structured to take you from theory into practice. You'll begin with core theory, building the scientific foundations that underpin veterinary medicine, before moving into research & methods, where you develop the skills to investigate and interpret evidence critically. Applied practice forms a central part of the course, giving you the chance to work with clinical material and real cases as you progress. As you advance, you'll be able to explore specialist options, such as areas of veterinary science that interest you most, alongside an independent project that allows you to pursue a topic in depth. Professional skills are woven throughout, preparing you for the practical and ethical demands of working as a veterinary surgeon. The six-year length reflects the depth required to move confidently from classroom science to clinical responsibility.
Who it's for
This course suits people who are genuinely curious about animal biology and health, and who don't mind the long haul of combining rigorous science with hands-on clinical learning. You'll likely enjoy problem-solving, have a steady, methodical approach to learning detailed material, and be comfortable with the idea that much of your early study will be intensive scientific groundwork before you get deeper into clinical work. A calm temperament and genuine care for animal welfare will serve you well, as will resilience, veterinary training is demanding and sustained over several years. If you're the sort of person who wants to understand the reasoning behind a diagnosis rather than just follow a checklist, and who is drawn to a career that mixes science, practical skill and working with both animals and their owners, this is likely to feel like the right fit. Most accepted students arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically within the 192–207 UCAS tariff band, though this reflects what past entrants held rather than a fixed requirement.
Careers & job market
Graduating from this course, accredited by RCVS, means you're eligible to register as a veterinary surgeon and begin practising. Nationally, across Medicine & Dentistry courses, 89% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study, figures that reflect the field generally rather than this course specifically. National graduate earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO) show starting salaries (15 months after graduating) ranging from £27,000 to £32,000, rising to between £24,650 and £34,800 after three years, and between £29,325 and £41,400 after five years. These figures are national averages across the sector and aren't a guarantee of what any individual will earn. Nationally, 90% of students continue past their first year of study, either still enrolled or having completed their course.
University & format
The University of Cambridge is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1209 and home to 18,977 students. It holds a Gold award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, and was. This Vet.M.B (Hons) course (UCAS code D100) runs full-time over six years, taught in English at the University of Cambridge campus.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryEarly equal-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent86% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 192 - 207 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary surgeon with that body
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Cambridge's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 86% |
| a previous degree | 13% |
| a Baccalaureate | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by15 October 2026, 18:00 UK timeearlier deadline for this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*+A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeD100quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code D100). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Sit any admissions test & interview
Courses with the October deadline often need an admissions test (e.g. UCAT, BMAT or a subject test) and interviews, register early and prepare.
- 5Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 6Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Cambridge whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Cambridge →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 6 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All University of Cambridge funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Bursary: Eligible medical and dental students can receive NHS support in the later years of study. Official guidance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Medicine & Dentistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £35,000 | £33,000 – £37,500 | 1035 |
| 3 years after | £36,000 | £30,000 – £40,000 | 70 |
| 5 years after | £40,000 | £30,500 – £44,500 | 70 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,035. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
100%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in medicine & dentistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Medicine & Dentistry nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£35,000
£27,000 – £32,000After 3 years LEO
£36,000
£24,650 – £34,800After 5 years LEO
£40,000
£29,325 – £41,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £23,000 – £43,000
National figures for Medicine & Dentistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
100 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,035. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Medicine & Dentistry courses at the same study level.
This course £40,000Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £31,500–£38,500
80th percentile
Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
89%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Medicine & Dentistry courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Medicine & Dentistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- The NHS
- Private practice
- Research & academia
- Public health
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Medicine & Dentistry graduates.
Medicine-Focused Veterinary Surgeon | Patient Care LeaderMedivet & PartnersMedicine Service Delivery Manager - Operations ImprovementNHSMedicine Occupational Therapist - StaffordshirePulse HealthcarePart-Time Palliative Medicine Consultant | 1-in-5 On-CallEvora Hospice (formerly Southern Area Hospice Services)Consultant Medicine - ElderlyPertemps Medical ProfessionalsSpecialty Doctor in Acute MedicineTriple West MedicalLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £35,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.3 out of 10: NSS 86.3% · continued 100%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Cambridge
All students22,565
International32.2%
Aged 25+25.1%
Medicine and dentistry across the UK
Students85,345
Aged 25+28.8%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of Cambridge
1,779 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 453Shoplifting 372Anti Social Behaviour 253Bicycle Theft 147Other Theft 114
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Medicine & Dentistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Cambridge from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Cambridge; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Cambridge’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Cambridge and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Cambridge
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 192 - 207 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by the University of Cambridge. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Veterinary medicine and dentistry graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £35,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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