Typical offers and requirements
A Level: A*AA
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other qualifications: See Entrance requirements and International qualifications.
‘Science/mathematics subjects’ refers to Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. It does not include Psychology.
Veterinary Medicine: Subject Requirements and Typical Offer by College
All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges. Please contact the relevant College admissions office if you have any queries about College-specific requirements.
See Entrance requirements and The Subject Matters for additional advice about general requirements for entry, qualifications and offers.
You may enter up to four veterinary medicine/science courses in your UCAS application. Your remaining choice can be used for an alternative course without prejudice to your commitment to veterinary medicine.
A Levels
- A Levels in Chemistry and one of Biology, Physics, Mathematics.
- Most applicants have at least three science/mathematics A Levels and some Colleges require this and/or particular subjects. See individual College websites for details.
International Baccalaureate
- A Level subject requirements (see above) also apply to the IB – Higher Level subjects satisfy A Level subject requirements.
- IB applicants are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches' for any course where Mathematics is a requirement. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
Other examination systems
We expect applicants taking other recognised examinations to demonstrate a level of understanding in science and mathematics roughly equivalent to those applying with A Levels. Refer to the Entrance requirements page for details of other qualifications and please consult any College Admissions Tutor for further advice.
Graduate entry
Graduates wanting to study Veterinary Medicine may apply as an affiliate student to one of Lucy Cavendish, St Edmund’s or Wolfson Colleges with:
- a good Honours degree (2.1 or above, science subjects are desirable)
- passes at A Levels (or equivalent), as above
Work experience
Work experience is not a requirement for applicants but some experience is useful to understand the profession and what is required of its members. We recommend applicants acquire two weeks of work experience, if possible.
For students applying for 2022 Entry, we’re mindful that the COVID-19 crisis may prevent prospective applicants from completing work experience. Not having completed work experience will not disadvantage your application to Cambridge. Further advice and guidance can be found on the Veterinary School’s website.
Admission assessment
For 2022 entry, all applicants for Veterinary Medicine (including applicants to mature Colleges) are required to take a pre-interview written assessment in early November 2021, at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college).
Please see the Cambridge Admissions Testing website for information about registration deadlines, and check admission assessments for further details.
Assessment format
See Natural Sciences pre-interview written assessment for more information about the assessment format, and to download past papers.
Please note that your performance in the pre-interview assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.
Submitted work
Applicants are not typically asked to submit examples of written work. Some may be asked by their College to do some reading in advance of their interview, but if this is required the College will provide full details in the letter inviting the student to interview.
Selection requirements
We are looking for students who are committed to the veterinary profession, and who are really interested in the scientific principles that underlie both the health and disease of animals.
Applications from students who have failed at or been excluded from other veterinary schools will not be accepted at Cambridge
Professional expectations
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has certain expectations regarding the attitudes, behaviour and performance of veterinary students. Trainee veterinary surgeons at Cambridge must satisfy the RCVS fitness to practise requirements, both when applying and throughout the course. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety of patients and patients' owners.
Disclosure and Barring Service check
If you are offered a place to study Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge, you're required to undergo a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or equivalent overseas check.
Applicants who have lived in the UK for the whole of the last 5 years will need to complete a DBS check which will be arranged through the University.
Applicants who have lived outside of the UK for 6 months or more in the last 5 years will still need to complete a satisfactory enhanced DBS check but will also have to provide relevant overseas checks to cover these periods of time and complete a self-declaration form.
Applicants who have not lived in the UK at all in the last 5 years will have to provide relevant overseas checks to cover these periods of time and complete a self-declaration form.
Overseas checks need to be obtained by the applicant, the University will not apply for overseas checks on the Students’ behalf.
Further guidance on overseas checks can be found on the Government website.
Applicants will be responsible for paying the costs of DBS and/or criminal record checks.
Students are required to undergo a standard DBS check on entry to the Veterinary surgeon profession. The University will send further instructions on registering with the DBS as part of the admissions process.
Minor misdemeanours will not necessarily prevent you from entering the veterinary profession but you should declare these in your UCAS application and you will be sent the relevant forms to complete if you are offered a place.
More details can be found on the University's Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) webpage.
Your health
Veterinary surgeons, even as students and trainees, have a responsibility to be honest and open about their own health and all successful applicants are required to complete a confidential occupational health assessment. A questionnaire will be included with your offer letter and, once completed, should be returned to the University’s Occupational Health Service.
The assessment is also to identify any long-term health conditions or disabilities that you have which require specific support, so that this can be in place before you start the course.
Health surveillance
All veterinary students will be assessed by Occupational Health at the start of the course for allergy screening and to commence health surveillance due to the work with animals that will be undertaken.
Disability, specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) and long-term health conditions
A disability, SpLD or long-term health condition needn't prevent you from becoming a veterinary surgeon if you can satisfy the professional fitness to practise requirements.
In these circumstances please contact a College Admissions Tutor, or the Director of Teaching at the Department of Veterinary Medicine as early as possible to discuss your needs and the course requirements. Such disclosures are considered independently of academic qualifications and the interview process.
The University's Disability Resource Centre (DRC) can provide general advice and guidance to prospective and current disabled students including those with a SpLD or long-term health condition.
