Bachelor of Veterinary Science

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc or BVSC) or "Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine" (BVetMed) is a bachelor's degree for studies in veterinary science in the United Kingdom and some other countries. In the US, these degrees are equivalent to DVM/VMD degrees. They are not called "doctorate" degrees due to nomenclature differences among degree designations between the US and Canada and the UK. In the UK, a doctorate degree designation is reserved for advanced academic degrees resulting in a thesis publication and dissertation, as in a PhD.

It is generally a 5-year course. (Cambridge Veterinary School's course lasts 6 years and the degree awarded is a VetMB). Some universities will award the students a BSc after the first 3 years, and the BVSc after the final 2 years.

The degree is generally required for becoming a veterinarian in the countries where it is awarded.

Veterinary Medicine in the UK

In the United Kingdom, there are currently seven institutions where Veterinary medicine can be studied:

• University of Bristol
• University of Cambridge
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• University of Liverpool
• Royal Veterinary College (RVC), part of the University of London
• University of Nottingham

The last of these Universities started to run the course in 2006 and the graduates of 2011 are the first to have received the MRCVS acknowledgement required for employment as a vet.

Degree titles

Although institution choice in this specialised Bachelor's Degree makes no difference in becoming a practicing Vet, most of the universities have unique titles:

• Bristol - Bachelor of Veterinary Science BVSc
• Cambridge - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine VetMB
• Edinburgh - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery BVM&S
• Glasgow - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery BVMS
• Liverpool - Bachelor of Veterinary Science BVSc
• Nottingham - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Veterinary Surgery BVM BVS
• RVC - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine BVetMed