- Becoming a veterinarian takes 5-8 years, depending on the country you study in.
- To qualify, you’ll need a degree in Veterinary Medicine, covering topics like Anatomy and Biology, as well as clinical skills.
- Loving animals is necessary, but you’ll also need in-depth science knowledge, people skills, and patience to be successful.
Love animals and science? Chances are, you’ve considered becoming a veterinarian. In this super rewarding career, you get to heal animals, start your own clinic, or focus on research. But behind the scenes, there’s also lots of client communications, paperwork, and management involved.
Learn more about becoming a veterinarian, including the exact tasks, the length of study, and the key skills you’ll need.
What does a veterinarian do?
Veterinarians are doctors who specialise in animal health. Some of their tasks include:
- Checking animals’ health and taking medical histories
- Diagnosing illnesses
- Performing surgeries
- Giving vaccines
- Keeping a record of treatments
- Working closely with pet owners and healthcare staff, like veterinary nurses and healthcare assistants
A common career path for veterinarians is to open a clinic and care for pets. That said, there are many other places you can work in as a veterinarian, such as:
- Small clinics: Focusing on pets, routine care, and vaccinations
- Animal shelters and rescue centres: Caring for abandoned or injured animals
- Farms: Working with livestock, herd health, and farm management
- Wildlife or zoo facilities: Checking the health of various species and working on conservation
- Research labs: Studying specific topics like diseases carried by animals
Explore Veterinary Medicine degrees on Bachelorsportal to get a better idea of what you need to do to become a vet. If you’ve already completed your undergraduate degree, head to Mastersportal for more specialised Master’s degrees in Veterinary Medicine.
Is becoming a veterinarian the right path for you?
Loving animals is a great start, but being a veterinarian takes much more than that.
Here are some traits and skills that you’ll need as a veterinarian:
- Knowledge of animal anatomy and behaviour
- Patience and a strong sense of responsibility
- Excellent communication and people skills to work with pet owners
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to work well with your hands
- Emotional resilience to handle difficult moments, such as putting an animal to sleep
- Motivation to complete a long (but rewarding!) degree
What degree do you need to become a veterinarian?
You need a degree in Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science to become a veterinarian. The exact path depends on the country. Here are some examples:
US and Canada: You’ll need to complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programme, which usually lasts 4 years. Entry requirements for DVM programmes include a four-year Bachelor’s degree in a related field like Biology, Chemistry, and Zoology.
UK and most European countries: You can start a Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science degree directly after secondary school. These programmes last 5-6 years, but a relevant Bachelor’s degree may qualify you for graduate entry and finish sooner.
Australia: In Australia, you’ll find both Bachelor’s in Veterinary Medicine (direct entry after secondary school) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees (entry after completing a Bachelor’s degree).
Training and experience after graduation
After you finish your Veterinary Medicine degree, you can either continue studying to specialise or register with local authorities to start working.
What mandatory training or internships are there?
Veterinary Medicine degrees include clinical rotations, lab work, and internships, so you’ll graduate with relevant experience.
If you want to specialise, you’ll need extra qualifications (like a Master’s or a PhD in a specific area of Veterinary Medicine), internships, and residencies.
Exams and registration to become a veterinarian
All veterinarians need to register with local authorities to start working. This makes sure you meet professional standards and can safely treat animals. In some countries, there may be extra exams involved. Here are some examples from around the world:
Country | Exam | Licensing Body / Authority |
US | North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) | Individual State Veterinary Boards |
UK | No separate exams for UK graduates | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) |
Canada | North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) + provincial exams | Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) & Provincial Boards |
Australia | No separate exams for Australia graduates | Veterinary Boards in each state |
Germany | State Veterinary Examination (Tierärztliche Prüfung) | Local authorities |
How is becoming a veterinarian different around the world?
Let’s sum up what it takes to become a veterinarian in different countries:
Country | Education | Exams / Registration | Total time |
US | 4-year Bachelor’s degree + Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) | North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) + State veterinary board licensure | 8 years (longer if you do a specialisation after DVM) |
Canada | 4-year Bachelor’s degree + Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) | North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) + Provincial exams Licensure through Canadian Veterinary Medical Association | 8 years (longer if you do a specialisation after DVM) |
UK | Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science degree after secondary school | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons registration | 5 years (longer if you do a specialisation) |
Australia | 3-year Bachelor’s degree + Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Or 5-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science | State-specific veterinary exams + Registration with state boards | 5-7 years (longer if you do a specialisation) |
Germany | Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science degree after secondary school | State Veterinary Examination (Tierärztliche Prüfung) + State veterinary authority registration | 5-6 years (longer if you do a specialisation) |
Final tips to succeed in your veterinarian journey
Before you start studying, shadow different types of vets to get insights into the job. This way, you’ll see if being a vet is the right path for you and get an idea of the specialities you’re interested in.
A good way to learn more about specialities and job tasks? Start browsing Veterinary Medicine degrees on Bachelorsportal.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to become a veterinarian?
Becoming a veterinarian usually takes 5 to 8 years after secondary school. The exact timeline depends on where you study and whether you specialise in a specific area of veterinary. On our portals, you’ll find 5-year Bachelor's degrees in Veterinary Medicine, as well as 4-year Doctorate degrees.
2. How difficult is it to become a veterinarian?
Vet school has tough entry requirements and a busy schedule. It’s definitely challenging, but if you’re passionate about helping animals, it’s one of the most rewarding careers.
3. Is becoming a veterinarian a good career choice?
If you’re looking for a high-responsibility, hands-on role, becoming a veterinarian could be a great career choice. Veterinarians enjoy above-average salaries, different specialities and job opportunities to choose from, and the rewarding work of caring for animals.
