Veterinary Medicine and Surgery BVMBVS with BVMedSci

IB score: 32 points overall or 6,6,5 in three HL certificates IB requirements:

HL6 in biology, HL6 in chemistry

IELTS 7.5 (no less than 7.0 in any element)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country

A levels

A in biology (or human biology) and chemistry. B in a third subject

A pass in science practical tests will be required, where these are assessed separately.

GCSEs

Five GCSEs at grade 7 (A) including biology and chemistry (or double science or core science additional science, further additional science)** and either physics or maths. GCSE grade 6 (B) in maths and 4 ( C) in English Language.

Citizenship Studies, Critical Thinking, General Studies and Global Perspectives.

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Alternative qualifications

Scottish Advanced Highers

• Minimum of AA in Advanced Higher level, including biology and chemistry
• Minimum of AABBB in Higher level, including biology and chemistry. Grade A in Higher level in biology, chemistry, English language, maths physics can compensate for achieving grade B at National level 5
• Minimum of AAAAA in National level 5, including biology and chemistry (or double science). Either maths or physics must be passed to grade A. Minimum of grade B in maths and grade C in English language

Irish Leaving Certificate

• Minimum of AAABB in Higher level, including grade A in biology and chemistry. For Post-2017 grading you will need a minimum of 6 grade H2 at Higher level, including 85% in biology and chemistry
• Minimum of BBBBB in Junior Certificate or five Higher Merit grades in Junior Cycle, including biology and chemistry (or double science) and mathematics
• English language requirements: UK applicants will require Irish Leaving Certificate English O4 or H4. International applicants will require Irish Leaving Certificate English O2 or H3

Cambridge Pre-U

• Distinction (D3) in biology and chemistry and a Merit pass (M2) in a third subject. If biology or chemistry is not taken as a subject then separate A level passed at grade A will also be needed

Degree

• First undergraduate degree, or a postgraduate degree such as a Masters or PhD in a science-related subject
• GCSE grade 6 (B) in maths and 4 (C) in English language

Or

• 2:1 undergraduate degree in a science-related subject
• A level biology and chemistry grade B
• GCSE grade 6 (B) in maths and 4 (C) in English language

Or

• 2:2 undergraduate degree in a science-related subject
• A level biology and chemistry grade A and grade B in a third subject*
• GCSE grade 6 (B) in maths and grade 4 (C) in English language

See below for graduate entry from our BSc and MSci Animal Science degree courses.

Birkbeck College Certificate of Higher Education course in Subjects Allied to Medicine

• Pass with distinctions in chemistry and biology modules

BTEC

Unfortunately we are not able to accept BTEC qualifications for this course.

Entry requirements for Animal Science graduate entry

We now offer a graduate-entry route directly to Year 2 of the April Cohort for those who have studied the BSc or MSci Animal Science (Bioveterinary Science Option) at the University of Nottingham.

Applicants must have successfully completed their Nottingham Animal Science degree by the start date of the Veterinary Medicine course with a final honours degree classification of 2:2 or above.

All applicants must have minimum 6/B in GCSE Mathematics and 4/C in GCSE English Language.

Applicants with a 2:1 or 2:2 degree classification are also required to have studied A Level Chemistry. Applicants with a 2:1 degree must have achieved a B in A Level Chemistry, and applicants with a 2:2 degree must have achieved an A in A Level Chemistry.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

We will consider other qualifications taken by international students on an individual basis. These qualifications will need to be equivalent to our UK A level and GCSE requirements.

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Interview

You will need to attend an interview, lasting approximately 30 minutes. This will assess your:

• Motivation, insight into a veterinary career and interest in veterinary topics
• Academic ability, communication skills, animal orientation, personal attitudes and fitness to practice as a veterinary surgeon

Students with disabilities

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 requires that veterinary surgeons are able to give at least basic and emergency treatment to all common domestic species. Students with any disability should contact the school for advice before applying. Please read the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Fitness to Practice Guidelines.

Students with criminal convictions

All students are required during the admissions process to disclose any criminal convictions. We do not discriminate against conviction or other information revealed. Please read the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Fitness to Practice Guidelines.

Foundation progression options

You can progress to this course from:

• Veterinary Medicine and Surgery including a Preliminary Year
• Veterinary Medicine and Surgery including a Gateway Year

You'll need a minimum of 5 weeks work experience. Work experience can be done over varying hours and days and should include:

• A minimum of 3 weeks of animal handling
• Up to 2 weeks of either customer facing and/or teamwork experience
• Up to 1 week for the completion of the Virtual Work Experience and Exploring the Veterinary Profession free online course.

All experience needs to be completed within three years prior to application and by the 15 October application deadline. Work experience booked after this date will not be taken into consideration.

View the admissions process for our veterinary medicine courses

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.