Veterinary Medicine and Science BVMSci (Hons) - 2026/7
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
BVMSci (Hons) Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Veterinary Science |
| Ord | Veterinary Science |
| DipHE | Veterinary Science |
| CertHE | Veterinary Science |
Professional recognition
European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)
Accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
Accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary surgeon with that body.
Australian Veterinary Boards Council Inc. (AVBC)
On successful completion of this course, you¿re recognised for automatic registration by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)
South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
On successful completion of this course, you¿re recognised for automatic registration by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
Singaporean Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS)
On successful completion of this course, you're recognised for automatic registration by the Singaporean Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS)
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | UCE30001 | 600 credits and 300 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Veterinary science (Bachelor)
Other internal and / or external reference points
Please note, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes to EMS requirements both at a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) level and at an individual school level. Each current veterinary cohort now have their own requirements and these can be found on the Vet Placement page on Surrey Learn as they are individual to each year group. For incoming students, the EMS requirements posted above are subject to change in light of feedback received from students, the profession and new requirements imposed by the RCVS, our governing body. It should be noted that there is no longer a requirement to do a set amount of weeks in the UK. There is no limit on overseas EMS placements as long as these placements meet the conditions of the insurance and placement team.
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Veterinary Medicine
Programme Leader
BASU Christopher (Vet Med)
Date of production/revision of spec
15/05/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- To prepare students to graduate with the skills, knowledge and attributes required for Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons i.e. to achieve accreditation of the programme by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
- To provide students with the opportunity to learn the breadth of the subject with emphasis on clinical science, veterinary pathology and research.
- To provide a programme that is focused on the FAIR principles of education providing: Feedback, Active participation in learning, Individualisation and Relevance in a global cultural context.
- To provide students with a fully-integrated programme with hands-on practical experience early in the programme.
- Specific educational goals are to develop students into competent, confident, resourceful and resilient veterinarians with more than Day One competencies. Students will develop a competent understanding of evidence-based practice and the scientific process along with professional communication skills, technical competencies, and digital capabilities with a global perspective in sustainable veterinary practice.
- To provide students with the opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and research skills with a global perspective from our partner institutes, including the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Pirbright Institute and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
- To embed students in the appropriate environment to encourage the development of students' interests, resourcefulness, and resilience in veterinary medicine and science, and to help them acquire appropriate intellectual, scientific, digital, technical, and key transferable skills to promote self-directed, sustainable, and life-long learning.
- To provide students with opportunities for international placements with our global partners.
- To prepare students to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to learning that encompasses veterinary clinical sciences, clinical training, and comprehensive professional and business skills to contribute meaningfully to sustainable veterinary businesses throughout their careers as veterinarians.
- To provide students with state of the art research training and digital capability within world-leading veterinary research institutes and veterinary practices.
- To further students' knowledge of the fundamental principles of veterinary medicine and to develop a deeper knowledge of the close relationship between human and animal health.
- To provide students with a clinical education through a distributed model of teaching that provides training by specialist and general veterinary practitioners.
- To develop students' scientific resourcefulness and resilience with training in critical analytical skills in relation to identifying problems, formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, interpreting data, and drawing conclusions.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Act professionally, as informed by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Act in a way that shows understanding of ethical and legal responsibilities, appropriately balancing competing interests | KCPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate evidence, in support of practising evidence based veterinary medicine | KCPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Apply principles of clinical governance | KCT | BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Contribute as appropriate to the advancement of veterinary knowledge, in order to improve the quality of animal care and public health | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Apply the RCVS Ten Principles of Certification. | KC | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Prescribe and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly in accordance with legislation and latest guidance including published sheets | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Report suspected adverse reactions effectively | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Demonstrate situational awareness through navigating and responding to the economic and emotional context in which the veterinary surgeon operates | KCT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection |
| Demonstrate self-awareness of personal and professional limits, and know when to seek professional advice, assistance and support | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection |
| Demonstrate a commitment to learning and professional development, including recording and reflecting on professional experience and other learning aimed at improving performance and competence | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection |
| Engage with self-audit and peer-group review processes in order to improve performance | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection |
| Demonstrate ability to manage in situations where information is incomplete, deal with contingencies, and adapt to change | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Adaptability |
| Adapt knowledge and skills to varied scenarios and contexts | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Adaptability |
| Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the organisation, management and legislation related to a veterinary business | KCT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Professional Commitment - Business/Finance |
| Promote health and safety of patients, clients and colleagues in the veterinary setting, including applying the principles of risk management to practice | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Professional Commitment - Leadership/Management |
| Communicate effectively with clients, the public, professional colleagues and responsible authorities, using language appropriate to the audience concerned | KCT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication |
| Digital capabilities: Students will develop and will be able to demonstrate digital capabilities, including the appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence, relevant to the veterinary profession. | KCPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability |
| Global and cultural capabilities: Veterinary students will develop intercultural awareness and informed views on global, social and ethical issues related to their discipline. Veterinary students will develop competencies to engage effectively with people from different backgrounds in ways that respects the interests of cultural groups and individual rights. They will develop appreciation of a diversity of cultural experience and ways of relating to others without stereotyping during their professional activities. | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health |
| Employability: Each veterinary student will develop a set of individual, interpersonal, and professional skills, which are relevant to their veterinary profession, veterinary career ambitions, and employability. | KPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Personal Leadership - Professionalism |
| Sustainability: Veterinary students will develop the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes needed to work, live and lead in a way that meets current needs of the profession without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. | KPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health |
| Resourcefulness and resilience: Students will develop independence, agility, reflectiveness, self-awareness, proactivity and self-regulation appropriate for their veterinary professional life. | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication |
| Demonstrate inclusivity and cultural competence, and encourage diverse contributions within the workplace. | KCT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication |
| Work effectively as a member of a professional/inter-professional team, fully recognising the contribution of each professional, and demonstrate an understanding of cognitive diversity. | KCT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication |
| Prepare accurate professional records and case reports, in a form appropriate to relevant audiences. | KCT | BVMSci (Hons) | Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication |
| Communicate clearly and collaborate with referral, diagnostic and other professional services. | KCPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication |
| Obtain an accurate and relevant history of the individual animal or animal group, and its/their husbandry and environment. | KCT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning |
| Develop appropriate treatment plans and administer treatment in the interests of the patient and with regard to the resources available and appropriate public health and environmental considerations. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning |
| Synthesises and prioritises problems to arrive at differential diagnoses. | KCT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning |
| Prioritise situational urgency and allocate resources. | KCT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning |
| Act professionally in complex situations. | KCT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning |
| Handle and restrain animal patients safely and humanely, and instruct others in helping the veterinary surgeon perform these techniques. | KCPT | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Perform simple, elective surgeries in an aseptic fashion. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Perform a complete clinical examination relevant to presentation and context. | KCPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Attend all species in an emergency and perform first aid. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Collect, preserve and transport samples, select appropriate diagnostic tests, interpret and understand the limitations of the test results. | KCPT | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Use diagnostic techniques and use basic imaging equipment and carry out an examination effectively as appropriate to the case. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Safely perform sedation, and general and regional anaesthesia; implement chemical methods of restraint. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Assess and manage pain. | KCPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Recognise when euthanasia is appropriate and perform it humanely. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Perform a systematic gross post-mortem examination, record observations. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Individual Animal |
| Assess the physical condition, welfare and nutritional status of an animal or group of animals and advise the client on good practice of husbandry and feeding. | KCPT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management |
| Recognise suspicious signs of possible notifiable, reportable and zoonotic diseases and take appropriate action, including notifying the relevant authorities. | KCT | Ord, BSc (Hons), BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management |
| Apply population principles in compliance with legal regulations and economic realities. | KCT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management |
| Recommend and evaluate protocols for biosecurity, and apply principles of biosecurity correctly, including sterilisation of equipment and disinfection of clothing. | CT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management |
| Advise stakeholders on practices that promote animal welfare. | KCT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management |
| Perform ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food-chain, including paying attention to welfare aspects; correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of products of animal origin, to exclude those animals whose condition means their products are unsuitable for the food-chain. | KCPT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health |
| Advise on, and implement, preventative programmes appropriate to the species and in line with accepted animal health, welfare and public health and environmental standards. | KCT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health |
| Promote the health and safety of people and the environment. | KCT | BVMSci (Hons) | Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health |
| Understand the principles and practice of the application of veterinary science to ensure food safety standards throughout the production chain, including performance of post-mortem inspection of food producing animals. | KCP | BVMSci (Hons) | Veterinary science and Food Safety |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Bachelor of Veterinary and Medicine and Science Degree programme is studied full-time over five years, consisting of 600 credits studied at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and 7. All Modules are worth 15, 30, 45, 60 or 120 credits.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Parts of this programme may be studied outside of the standard University structure and may be subject to professional body requirements.
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMS1001 | ANIMALS IN SOCIETY 1 | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| VMS1002 | THE VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| VMS1009 | STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION A | Compulsory | 45 | 1 |
| VMS1010 | STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION B | Compulsory | 45 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
N/A
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
N/A
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMS3010 | VETERINARY MEDICINE 1 | Compulsory | 45 | 1 |
| VMS3011 | VETERINARY MEDICINE 2 | Compulsory | 45 | 2 |
| VMS3012 | VETERINARY RESEARCH 1: EVIDENCE-BASED VETERINARY MEDICINE | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| VMS3013 | VETERINARY RESEARCH 2: CRITICAL APPRAISAL, DATA INTERPRETATION AND STUDY DESIGN | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
N/A
Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMS4001 | FUNDAMENTALS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE III : ANAESTHESIA, SURGERY AND PATIENT CARE | Compulsory | 30 | Year-long |
| VMS4007 | ZOOLOGICAL MEDICINE | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| VMS4008 | VETERINARY MEDICINE 3 | Core | 60 | Year-long |
| VMS4009 | ONE HEALTH | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
N/A
Year 5 - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMS5001 | INTRAMURAL ROTATIONS | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 5 - FHEQ Level 7
N/A
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | N | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | Y | Students within the BVMSci may apply to undertake an undergraduate intercalated degree programme following the successful completion of the second year (Level 5) and before the start of the third year (Level 6). |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to inspire and educate veterinary professionals who will advance veterinary medicine to meet the needs of a changing world.
Our vision is to educate confident and compassionate veterinarians committed to animal welfare, who through clinical and scientific excellence, contribute significantly to society with professionalism and integrity. We will deliver world- leading, multi-disciplinary, translational research and innovative education through local and global partnerships to benefit veterinary and human medicine.
Our core values: Inclusion, Inspiration, Innovation, Integrity.
The Surrey Advantage
As well as being a Day One Competent veterinary surgeon, the Surrey graduate will also be competent across:
Global and Cultural capabilities. Engaging effectively with people from different backgrounds in ways that respect the interests of cultural groups and individual rights.
Digital capabilities. Students will develop as digital citizens, fully able to take advantage of and participate in society and professional life, within a digital, connected world including relevant Artificial Intelligence tools.
Employability. Students will be supported to develop a unique set of individual, interpersonal, and professional skills, which are relevant to their discipline and career ambitions through engagement with our country-wide network of practice partners.
Resourcefulness and resilience. Student are encouraged to embrace academic opportunities and challenges to develop their independence, learning agility, reflectiveness, self-awareness, proactivity, and self-regulation.
Sustainability. Students will develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attributes needed to work and live in a way that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.