BVMBVS Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Surgery Degree at the University of Nottingham
BVMBVS Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Surgery at University of Nottingham. Five years at Sutton Bonington puts you alongside live animals and working clinical environments from the outset, rather than leaving practical exposure until the later years of the course.
About this course
This five-year degree gives you early and continuous experience with live animals, real clinical environments and a broad mix of small animal, farm animal and equine practice. From the provider’s course page.
BVMBVS Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Surgery is a Degree (Degree) at the University of Nottingham, based in Sutton Bonington Campus. It runs 5 years, studied full-time.
For Veterinary medicine and dentistry graduates from this provider, 96% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 96% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £35,500. (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.
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)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 96% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 96% (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 one 4 modules
- Animal Health and WelfareCore
Module details
This module considers: animal health and husbandry animal handling housing and animal environments animal industries and/or the role of the different species in society legislation and regulatory bodies. Throughout the module the following species will be considered: dogs and cats small mammals exotic animals zoo and captive wildlife indoor and wild birds horses cattle sheep and goats
- Circulatory and Respiratory SystemsCore
Module details
This module considers: Structure and function of the cardiovascular, respiratory and lymphoreticular systems Basic introduction to Microbiology Basic introduction to haematology and immunology Development of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems Regulation and adaptation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems Methods for clinical evaluation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- Veterinary Neuromuscular SystemCore
Module details
This module considers: structure and function of the neuromuscular system in common and domestic animals, and other selected species development of the neuromuscular system adaptation of the neuromuscular system in different species examination and diagnostic techniques used in evaluation of the neuromuscular system an introduction to clinical neurology and the study of animal behaviour
- Veterinary Personal and Professional Skills 1Core
Module details
This module considers: Principles of veterinary science Methods of learning, study and assessment Computer literacy Use of learning resources Problem solving skills Professional conduct Communication skills Time and stress management Understanding the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 'Guide to Professional Conduct'
Year two 4 modules
- Veterinary Endocrine Integument Systems 1Core
Module details
This module considers: the basic anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the endocrine and integument systems an introduction to clinical dermatology histology, gross anatomy and function of the non-reproductive endocrine system including the pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands endocrine pancreas, and ectoparasitology, microbiology and cytology
- Veterinary Gastrointestinal System 1Core
Module details
This module considers: structure and function of the gastrointestinal system and body wall development of the gastrointestinal system regulation and adaptation of the gastrointestinal system digestion and metabolism pharmacology of the gastrointestinal system microbiology and parasitology of the gastrointestinal system methods for clinical evaluation of the gastrointestinal system nutrient utilisation animal nutrition
- Veterinary Personal and Professional Skills 2Core
Module details
In this module you will gain an understanding of the basic principles of veterinary science, including: diagnostic imaging basic communication skills such history taking an understanding and application of methods of learning, study and assessment an understanding of the principles and methods of critical appraisal of scientific literature an understanding of the ethical decision making skills required of veterinary surgeons. This module considers: Methods of learning, study and assessment Aware
- Veterinary Urogenital SystemCore
Module details
This module considers: Development of the urogenital system Structure and function of the male and female reproductive system Structure and function of the urinary system Spermatogenesis, oogenesis and embryo development The reproductive cycle and its hormones Manipulation of the reproductive system in different animals Pregnancy and placental function in different animals The mammary gland and lactation Genetics of reproduction Regulation and adaptation of the urinary system Methods for clinica
Year three 4 modules
- Veterinary Professional Skills 3Core
Module details
The aims of the module are to provide you with: An understanding of, and skills to practice, resilience, self-care, and awareness of mental health principles. An understanding of veterinary team working relationships. Skills for communication, consultation, and develop understanding and empathy with other members of veterinary teams, and clients, especially under challenging circumstance. An understanding of principles of management, marketing, business entrepreneurship and finance. An understan
- Fundamentals of Clinical PracticeCore
Module details
The aims of the module are to provide you with: Fundamental knowledge of core areas required for clinical practice; Ability to apply that knowledge to a wide range of clinical scenarios involving all species evaluated in practice; The ability to use different learning resources; Development of skills involved in problem solving and decision making in clinical situations; Strategies to manage time and develop independent learning; An ability to reflect on their own ability and plan methods to add
- Veterinary Public HealthCore
Module details
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to veterinary public and animal health standards, processes and issues including animal foodstuffs, and transmittable, notifiable, zoonotic, reportable, and transboundary diseases and animal welfare.
- Veterinary Research ProjectCore
Module details
This module enables you to investigate contemporary research methods by requiring you to design a research proposal aimed at solving a specific veterinary biomedical problem. You will, read and collate previous information and results relevant to your problem, and generate a clear and concise proposal for future research. You will complete different mentored research rotations from a range of research options, and gain insight into a variety of research methods relevant to veterinary medicine, i
Year four 3 modules
- Veterinary Clinical Science: Small AnimalCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required to work in small animal clinical veterinary practice.
- Veterinary Clinical Science: Farm AnimalCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required to work in farm animal clinical veterinary practice.
- Veterinary Clinical Science: EquineCore
Module details
The aim of this module is to equip you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required to work in equine clinical veterinary practice.
Year five 4 modules
- Veterinary Clinical Practice Professional Skills 5Core
Module details
The final year is lecture free. You will undertake 26 weeks of rotations at the School's Clinical Associates and at the School. The rotations cover a range of professional practice including small animal, equine, farm animal, veterinary public health and exotic practice. At all placements, students will be expected to demonstrate and develop professional knowledge and behaviours including: Communication and collaboration in veterinary practice Awareness of ethical and legal issues in practice En
- Veterinary Clinical Practice: EquineCore
Module details
The final year is lecture free. You will undertake 26 weeks of rotations at the School's Clinical Associates and at the School. Each placement has specific targeted learning objectives. Our current rotation sites include: Oakham Equine/Defence Animal Training Regiment/ Pool House Equine Clinic (2 weeks core, students placed at one of these sites Equine Skills (SVMS) (2 weeks core all students) Oakham Equine Hospital/Defence Animal Training Regiment/Pool House Equine Clinic/Rainbow Equine Hospita
- Veterinary Clinical Practice: Farm Animal and Veterinary Public HealthCore
Module details
The final year is lecture free. You will undertake 26 weeks of rotations at the School's Clinical Associates and at the School. Each rotation has specific targeted learning outcomes. The current rotations included in this module are: Farm animal practice (core) – delivered at Scarsdale Veterinary Group, Lambert Leonard and May Derbyshire and Wright and Morten Veterinary Surgeons Farm health skills (core) – delivered at SVMS Pathology (core) – delivered through SVMS pathology service One health:
- Veterinary Clinical Practice: Small AnimalCore
Module details
The final year is lecture free. You will undertake 26 weeks of rotations at the School's Clinical Associates and at the School. Each placement has specific targeted learning objectives. Our current core rotation sites include: Pride Veterinary Centre Referrals (2 weeks) Small Animal Practice (2 weeks) PDSA Small Animal practice/RSPCA Radcliffe (2 weeks) SVMS Pathology (pathology) (2 weeks) Pride Veterinary centre (Out of Hours rotation) Elective rotations (6 weeks in 2 week blocks at one or more
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 organised around core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project and professional skills, and these strands are woven together rather than taught in isolation. Core theory covers the anatomy, physiology and disease processes that underpin veterinary science, while applied practice puts that knowledge to use in real clinical settings from small animal, farm and equine practice. Research and methods teaches you to interpret evidence and data critically, skills that feed into an independent project where you investigate a question of your own choosing in depth. Specialist options let you explore areas such as particular species groups or clinical interests as you move through the degree, while professional skills modules build the communication, ethical reasoning and practical competencies expected of a working veterinary surgeon. Because these elements run concurrently across all five years, you're rarely working with theory alone for long before you're asked to apply it.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely comfortable around animals in working conditions, not just fond of pets, you'll be handling livestock, horses and companion animals in clinical and farm settings from early on, often in unpredictable and physically demanding circumstances. If you're the sort of person who wants to understand why an animal is unwell rather than simply that it is, and who finds satisfaction in problem-solving under pressure, the clinical reasoning at the heart of this degree will suit you. Because the course runs continuously across five years with theory and practice intertwined throughout, it favours students who are resilient, well-organised and willing to commit to a demanding, structured programme rather than one with long gaps between study and practical work. An interest in more than one species type, small animal, farm and equine, will serve you well, since the course deliberately avoids narrowing your experience too soon. Expect a working rhythm that blends lectures, laboratory work and clinical exposure, so a practical, hands-on temperament matters as much as academic ability.
Careers & job market
Graduates of the BVMBVS are eligible for registration as veterinary surgeons with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), and the degree is also accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), which broadens where the qualification is recognised. Looking at national data across Medicine & Dentistry courses generally, 89% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of those working are in highly skilled roles or further study, figures drawn from the national Graduate Outcomes survey rather than specific to any one university or profession. National earnings data (LEO) across this broader field show typical starting salaries of £27,000–£32,000 at 15 months, £24,650–£34,800 after three years, and £29,325–£41,400 after five years; these are national medians for the field, not projections tied to this particular course or a guarantee of what any individual will earn. Nationally, 90% of students on comparable courses continue past their first year, still enrolled or having completed their studies.
University & format
The University of Nottingham is a public, research-intensive institution and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1881. It holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and was. The BVMBVS is taught full-time over five years at the Sutton Bonington campus, a site dedicated to veterinary and agricultural sciences. Most entrants arrive with A-levels or equivalent, around 87% of accepted students in recent years, typically holding UCAS tariff scores in the 144–159 range, though this reflects what successful applicants have held rather than a fixed requirement.
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.
- 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.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
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 | 87% |
| a previous degree | 8% |
| another higher-education qualification | 2% |
| a Baccalaureate | 2% |
| Other | 2% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
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.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
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.
- 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.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Nottingham →For students who normally live in England
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.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Bursary: Eligible medical and dental students can receive NHS support in the later years of study. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
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 | £35,500 | £34,000 – £38,000 | 70 |
| 3 years after | £33,000 | £30,500 – £36,500 | 290 |
| 5 years after | £40,500 | £36,000 – £47,000 | 230 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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
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.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 70; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. 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.
Compared with 804 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- VeterinariansDiscover Uni category · 96% of published destinations
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 150; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Medicine & Dentistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How 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 MedicalIs 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
96% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £35,500. 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 9.5 out of 10: NSS 92.6% · in work or study 96% · continued 96%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Nottingham
Medicine and dentistry across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Sutton Bonington Campus
20 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
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 Nottingham from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £35,556 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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 Nottingham’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 Nottingham and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Nottingham
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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