Veterinarian
Veterinarians diagnose, treat and prevent disease and injury in animals, from pets and farm animals to horses and wildlife, and help protect people from diseases that spread from animals.
What can you do with a veterinary science degree?
Also called: Veterinary medicine · Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) · Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A veterinary science degree trains you to diagnose, treat and prevent disease in animals, from pets and farm animals to horses and wildlife. It is a long professional degree that combines animal biology with extensive clinical training. Most graduates become veterinarians after registering with a regulator, while others work in research, public health, food safety and agriculture.
Careers with a veterinary science degree
Most veterinary science graduates work as veterinarians in practices that treat pets, farm animals, horses or a mix of these. Others work in animal hospitals, zoos, wildlife conservation or animal charities. Veterinarians also play an important role in public health, working for governments on disease control, meat inspection and food safety. Some graduates move into research as biologists, or work in agriculture and food production alongside agronomists and farmers. The pharmaceutical and animal health industries also employ vets.
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Biologist
Biologists study living things, from molecules and cells to plants, animals and whole ecosystems, and apply what they learn in health, farming, conservation and industry.
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Agronomist
Agronomists are scientists who help farmers grow crops more productively and sustainably.
Other roles graduates go into: Veterinary pathologist · Veterinary public health officer · Food safety inspector · Animal welfare adviser · Animal health researcher
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Animal anatomy and physiology
- Animal husbandry, welfare and behaviour
- Pathology, microbiology and parasitology
- Pharmacology and anaesthesia
- Medicine and surgery of companion, farm and exotic animals
- Veterinary public health and food safety
- Diagnostic imaging and laboratory techniques
- Clinical rotations and practical placements
Skills you gain
- Examining and diagnosing animals that cannot describe their symptoms
- Surgical and practical clinical skills
- Communicating with owners and farmers, including giving bad news
- Making decisions about animal welfare and ethics
- Working calmly in emergencies
- Applying science to animal and public health
How the degree differs around the world
In the UK, most of Europe, Australia and many other countries, veterinary science is a first degree that you can start after school, and it usually takes five to six years. In the United States and Canada, you normally complete at least two to three years of university, and often a full bachelor's degree, before a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programme. Some countries also offer graduate-entry courses. After graduating, vets must register with the national or state regulator, and in some countries they must also pass a licensing exam. Places are limited and entry is highly competitive in most countries.
How do veterinary science graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 103 (2023) | 88.1% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Norway | 100 (2023) | 85.8% (2024) | 89.3% |
| South Korea | 100 (2023) | — | — |
| Romania | 98 (2023) | 88.7% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Chile | 98 (2023) | 85.5% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Finland | 96 (2022) | 90.9% (2024) | 88.8% |
| Slovenia | 95 (2020) | 92.4% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Luxembourg | 93 (2023) | — | 85.7% |
| Latvia | 92 (2023) | 90.8% (2024) | 87.7% |
| Mexico | 92 (2023) | 83.0% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Portugal | 91 (2020) | 93.2% (2024) | 90.7% |
| Sweden | 91 (2023) | 88.5% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Austria | 90 (2023) | 88.2% (2024) | 86.4% |
| United States | 85 (2023) | 85.6% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Estonia | 83 (2023) | 86.3% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Australia | 82 (2020) | 96.2% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Germany | 81 (2020) | 89.3% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Costa Rica | 80 (2023) | 79.8% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Canada | 79 (2020) | 83.6% (2021) | 80.4% |
| United Kingdom | 74 (2020) | 88.6% (2021) | 84.6% |
| Switzerland | 70 (2023) | 94.6% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Iceland | — | 96.0% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Ireland | — | 93.8% (2021) | 86.9% |
| Poland | — | 92.9% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Lithuania | — | 91.3% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Belgium | — | 89.4% (2024) | 88.5% |
| France | — | 88.7% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Netherlands | — | 87.9% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Italy | — | 87.5% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Slovakia | — | 86.9% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Czechia | — | 86.1% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Spain | — | 86.1% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Croatia | — | 85.0% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Greece | — | 83.6% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Peru | — | 83.6% (2024) | 81.7% |
| Türkiye | — | 77.4% (2016) | 72.9% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Veterinary medicine and dentistry” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £34,400 | £31,800 | £37,700 | 95.3% |
| After 3 years | £39,500 | £34,400 | £45,000 | 94.2% |
| After 5 years | £45,400 | £37,000 | £52,700 | 95.4% |
| After 10 years | £46,500 | £29,300 | £62,200 | 92.2% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment.
Is a veterinary science degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You are strongly interested in animals and in biology, chemistry and medicine.
- You are practical and comfortable handling animals of all sizes.
- You are ready for a long, demanding degree and a career of continuous learning.
Think twice if
- You love animals but find blood, surgery or euthanasia very hard to face.
- You want regular hours, as many vets work evenings and weekends and are on call for emergencies.
- You would rather not deal with people, since much of the job involves talking to owners who may be upset or worried about costs.
Further study
Many vets take postgraduate certificates to develop skills in areas such as surgery, cardiology or farm animal health. Becoming a recognised specialist usually requires a residency of several years and exams set by specialist colleges. Others take a master's or PhD in areas such as epidemiology, public health or animal science to work in research, government or industry. Registered vets must also keep up their professional development throughout their careers.
Questions about studying veterinary science
What jobs can you get with a veterinary science degree?
Most graduates become veterinarians in practices treating pets, farm animals, horses or exotic animals. Others work in government services on disease control and food safety, in research, zoos and wildlife conservation, animal welfare charities, the armed forces, or the pharmaceutical and animal health industries. Some move into biology, agriculture or university teaching.
How long does it take to become a vet?
In the UK, Europe, Australia and many other countries, the degree usually takes five to six years straight after school. In the United States and Canada, you usually need several years of university study first and then a four-year DVM programme, so the full route often takes around eight years. Becoming a specialist takes several more years of training.
Is veterinary science hard to get into?
Yes. In most countries there are few veterinary schools and many applicants, so entry is highly competitive. Universities usually ask for top grades in chemistry and biology, and many expect practical experience with animals, such as work in a veterinary practice or on a farm. Some also use interviews or admissions tests.
Can vets work in other countries?
Often, yes, but you must register with the veterinary regulator in the country where you want to work. Some countries recognise each other's degrees, for example within the European Union, while others require an exam or extra assessment. Degrees with international accreditation can make moving easier, so check the rules before you choose where to study.
Related subjects
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Biology
A biology degree teaches how living things work, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems.
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Agriculture
An agriculture degree teaches the science and business of producing food and other products from crops and animals, from soil and plant science to farm management and sustainability.
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Biomedical science
A biomedical science degree teaches the biology of human health and disease, and how laboratory tests help doctors diagnose and treat patients.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH05-01-01 — Veterinary medicine and dentistry
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0841
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a veterinary science degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/veterinary-science/ (accessed September 26, 2026)