Veterinarians care for sick and injured animals, making it a highly respected and rewarding profession. Many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland and the UK, are facing a shortage of qualified vets.
Becoming a vet requires time, skill and dedication. You will need strong scientific knowledge, problem-solving skills and a compassionate nature.
This article explores some of the most common pathways to becoming a vet in top study destinations.
Table of contents:
- How to become a vet: the basics
- How to become a vet in the UK
- How to become a vet in Canada
- How to become a vet in Australia
- How to become a vet in Ireland
- How long does it take to become a vet?
- Global career prospects for vets
How to become a vet: the basics
To become a vet, you will need a veterinary degree, which typically takes five to eight years. Veterinary programmes often combine science-based coursework with hands-on clinical training.
Admission is highly competitive, requiring strong grades, especially in science subjects. Most universities also expect applicants to have substantial experience working with animals, such as in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter or welfare organisation. The more experience you have, the stronger your application will be.
Veterinarians often work long hours and face unique challenges, making problem-solving skills and resilience essential. While working with animals is a key part of the job, vets also collaborate with medical professionals and pet owners, so empathy, strong communication and people skills are just as important.
Most countries require vets to register with a local veterinary authority to obtain a licence to practise, which may involve additional exams. Registration usually involves an initial fee, followed by annual renewal fees. Ongoing professional development and staying up to date with industry advancements are also essential throughout your career.
How to become a vet in the UK
To become a vet in the UK, you must gain a degree in veterinary medicine from a vet school registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). All vet schools require students to have prior work experience.
An undergraduate veterinary programme in the UK typically takes five years. However, some universities offer a four-year postgraduate programme to students with a science degree.
There are currently 11 RCVS-accredited vet schools:
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London
- University of Cambridge
- University of Liverpool
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Bristol
- University of Nottingham
- University of Surrey
- Harper and Keele Veterinary School
- The Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science
- University of Central Lancashire
After completing your veterinary degree, you must register with the RCVS to obtain your licence to practise as a vet.
Graduates of veterinary programmes outside the UK may need to take the RCVS statutory membership exam to acquire a licence to practise in the UK. They may also be required to prove their English language proficiency.
How to become a vet in Canada
To become a vet in Canada, you must complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at a vet school. Most students enrol on a DVM after completing a four-year undergraduate degree in a closely related area, but some universities offer other pathway options.
The DVM programme is highly competitive and each school has its own prerequisites. Generally, these include a background in science, strong academic performance and a minimum amount of relevant work experience.
To facilitate the process of obtaining a veterinary licence in Canada, we recommend pursuing fully accredited veterinary programmes.
You must obtain a Certificate of Qualification (CQ) after completing your DVM in order to practise in Canada. If you have completed an accredited veterinary degree, you can receive your CQ upon passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).
Graduates from unaccredited veterinary programmes (including overseas qualifications), and those who fail the NAVLE more than once, must pass the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination and the Clinical Proficiency Examination in addition to the NAVLE before they can obtain their CQ.
Vets must also register in the province in which they practise. Requirements vary between provinces.
How to become a vet in Australia
There are two pathways to becoming a vet in Australia. At the undergraduate level, students can enrol on a five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science programme. For those who already hold a Bachelor of Science or a closely related undergraduate degree, there is a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme available at the postgraduate level.
Different universities offer different courses, but it is important to ensure your chosen programme is accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) if you wish to practise in Australia.
The following veterinary schools in Australia are accredited by the AVBC:
- Charles Sturt University
- James Cook University
- Murdoch University
- University of Adelaide
- University of Melbourne
- University of Queensland
- University of Sydney
After graduating, you must register with the veterinary board of the state or territory where you plan to practise. If you hold a veterinary degree from overseas, you may still be eligible to work in Australia, but you must first pass the Australasian Veterinary Examination. You may also need to demonstrate your English language proficiency.
How to become a vet in Ireland
To become a vet in Ireland, you must earn a recognised degree in veterinary medicine. Currently, the only university offering a veterinary medicine programme in Ireland is University College Dublin (UCD).
UCD’s Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine is a highly competitive and internationally recognised five-year undergraduate course. Typically entry requirements include:
- Three A-Levels at Grade A*, an International Baccalaureate score of 40 or equivalent qualifications
- GCSE Maths at a minimum Grade C (or equivalent)
- A-Level Chemistry at a minimum Grade C (or equivalent)
- IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no band lower than 6.0 (or equivalent)
After graduating from a recognised programme, you must register with the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) before you can practise.
The VCI recognises several international qualifications in addition to UCD’s veterinary degree. However, if you studied outside an English-speaking country, you will need to prove your English language proficiency.
How long does it take to become a vet?
The time required to become a vet varies by country. Factors influencing the duration include entry requirements, the length of the veterinary degree, licensing exams and internships.
| Average time to become a vet in major study destinations | ||
| Country | Duration | Typical pathway |
| Australia | 5-7 years | Offers both undergraduate and graduate-entry veterinary programmes. |
| Canada | 6-8 years | Requires a bachelor's degree followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). |
| Ireland | 5-6 years | Direct-entry veterinary programme available. |
| UK | 5-6 years | Entry via direct-entry veterinary schools. |
Global career prospects for vets
With a growing demand for veterinarians worldwide, this profession offers strong international career potential. Many countries provide visa options to attract qualified vets. In the UK, vets are eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, while Australia offers multiple visa pathways, including the Skills Shortage visa.
Where can vets work?
Aside from traditional roles in animal clinics, hospitals and surgeries, veterinarians can explore careers in:
- Public health
- Pharmaceuticals
- Research
Veterinary specialisations
Many vets choose to specialise in particular fields. Common areas include:
Animal specialisations:
- Laboratory animals
- Large animals
- Livestock
- Equine (horses)
- Exotic animals
- Small animals
Care specialisations:
- Anaesthesia
- Animal welfare
- Behaviour
- Cardiology
- Dentistry
- Emergency care
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Radiology
- Surgery
Vet salaries around the world
Veterinary salaries vary based on location, experience and specialisation. According to the Vet Service’s Global Salary Report (2025), average annual salaries are:
| Country | Salary range |
| Australia | AUD 85,000 – AUD 180,000 |
| Canada | CAD 90,000 – CAD 200,000 |
| Ireland | EUR 40,000 – EUR 90,000 |
| UK | GBP 32,000 – GBP 75,000 |
Vets working out-of-hours or overtime may receive higher pay rates.
Final thoughts
Studying abroad to become a vet requires meeting strict entry requirements, completing a lengthy degree programme and obtaining a licence to practise.
While the journey is demanding, the rewards are well worth the effort. Veterinary medicine is a challenging yet fulfilling career with excellent opportunities to work internationally.
Explore veterinary medicine courses in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA using our course search tool below.
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