Cambridge Vet School 2026

Cambridge has a reputation that speaks for itself, as one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. The University is a confederation of Schools, Faculties, Departments and 31 Colleges. Each College is governed by their own unique statutes and regulations.

As well as being a member of the University and of an academic Faculty/Department, students also belong to a College community, an arrangement that offers pastoral and academic support for each individual. Your choice of college does not affect your chances of getting a place on the Cambridge vet course. The colleges each have a nominal ‘quota’ of applicants, but they often take more.

Also, colleges with larger quotas tend to get correspondingly more applicants, so you should not worry about quota sizes when picking your college. The year group size for the University of Cambridge Veterinary Medicine cohort is about 70 students. These students will all carry out work at Cambridge Vet School Hospital.

The Department of Veterinary Medicine has an international reputation as a centre of excellence, and is performing world class veterinary research. The Cambridge collegiate system really does make the experience quite unique as a student - the college often becomes your main social hub, and you will find that you spend time with students from a large variety of courses as a result.

At Cambridge you are very much treated as an individual, with year group sizes of approximately 70 students (the smallest of all the Veterinary Schools). You receive continual individualised support and advice, including Cambridge’s unique provision of weekly small-group (two-four students) teaching. This is an involving and rewarding opportunity to pursue your interests, and is also beneficial when it comes to clinical rotations as the small rotation group sizes ensure more experience and confidence by the time you qualify. This is especially true when spending time at the cambridge vet school hospital.

At Cambridge, you study the basic veterinary sciences first before learning to apply that knowledge to veterinary practice as a clinical student.

During your pre-clinical studies (Years 1-3), you are taught through lectures and practical classes (including 120 hours of dissection across the three years) in the central science departments, and College supervisions - you can typically expect 20-25 timetabled teaching hours each week.

The clinical studies teaching is a mixture of lectures (in Years 4 and 5), practicals, tutorials, supervisions and clinical classes, with a lecture-free final year. Students will spend time at the cambridge vet school hospital. In addition, you must complete a minimum of 12 weeks’ work experience (pre-clinical extramural study) during the University vacations in Years 1 and 2 to gain knowledge of animal husbandry.

During your clinical studies of the cambridge university veterinary medicine course, you must complete at least 26 weeks of clinical extramural study, some of which may be undertaken abroad. You are supported in the activities by your Vet School Clinical Supervisor. Your progress is continually reviewed by your supervisors and your Director of Studies.

Formal assessment, which determines your progression through the course, takes a variety of forms including written essays, short answer questions and practical examinations.

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There is no absolute requirement, but Cambridge recommends at least 2 weeks of vocational experience where possible. This can be clinical work experience (shadowing working vets) or take place in any commercial or charity animal setting, for example farms, pet shops or rescue shelters.

Although you may be asked about things you have written in your UCAS personal statement, your vet school statement will not usually be assessed, graded, ranked or used to decide whether you are interviewed or offered a place. This is because Cambridge is aware of the variation in the amount and quality of advice applicants receive in the preparation of their personal statements.

Not offered

Two 25-minute interviews with particular focus on aptitude in science and maths subjects being taken at school, but also discussion of reading and interests, as well as applicants’ work experience.

All applicants for Veterinary Medicine are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) at an authorised assessment centre. You must register in advance for this test.