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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Millions of readers hold a romantic notion of life as a UK veterinarian thanks to the writing of one famous Yorkshire vet who wrote under the pen name James Herriot. The truth is, becoming a veterinarian takes hard work, and getting through school is just the beginning!
It takes a minimum of 5 years to become a vet in the UK. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a veterinarian in the UK, look no further because we have the facts and statistics you need right here including:
The 12 Statistics on Becoming a Vet in the UK
- It takes a minimum of 5 years to complete a veterinary degree program.
- There are about 29,300 veterinarians in the UK.
- UK students can apply to vet school starting at age 17.
- There are currently 11 universities offering veterinary degrees in the UK.
- There are approximately twice as many applicants per year as there are available spots in the programs.
- Almost half (46%) of UK veterinary students also have a part-time job to make ends meet.
- The average first-year veterinarian makes about £33,500 per year in their total salary package.
- There is a 15% gender pay gap among UK veterinarians.
- The total enrollment of students in vet schools in the UK fell by 10.9% compared to 2021.
- The majority of UK veterinarians are employed in small animal practice.
- Recent graduates take an average of 1.87 months to find their first job after vet school.
- 48% of all surveyed UK veterinarians would still choose to go into the profession if they had to start their careers over.
Getting Started With A Veterinary Degree In The UK
1. It takes a minimum of 5 years to complete a veterinary degree program.
(University of Central Lancashire)
The basic veterinary coursework degree typically takes 5 years to work through. Some veterinarians opt for a 6-year course of study that allows them to earn a bachelor’s degree as well. Some universities also offer the chance to do an extra year of foundation work before starting the veterinary degree for those who didn’t quite meet the academic requirements of admission.
2. There are about 29,300 veterinarians in the UK.
(Statista)
Both self-employed and employed veterinarians are included in this number. UK veterinarians may work in research, clinical practice, or government jobs.
3. UK students can apply to vet school starting at age 17.
(Journal of Young Investigators)
Unlike in the US, where students usually must complete a full four-year bachelor’s degree before vet school, UK students can apply starting at age 17. If accepted, they may start vet school the following fall after high school graduation.
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All About Vet Schools In The UK
4. There are currently 11 universities offering veterinary degrees in the UK.
(BVA)
Each veterinary school has its own specific requirements for admission. Generally, this is a combination of academic requirements and work requirements. Vet schools usually require high academic achievement for admission, often three A’s at A level.
For work experience, students are required to spend a certain number of hours working somewhere in the veterinary industry. This allows students to get an idea of what their daily life will look like once they graduate and helps them determine if they think they’d enjoy being a veterinarian.
5. There are approximately twice as many applicants to vet schools per year as there are available spots in the programs.
(Vet Schools Council)
Each year, about 2,400 applications are received for 1,200 available admission spots. Applicants have a 50% chance of being accepted when they apply. Compare that with the US, where the acceptance rate is only 10%-15%!
6. Almost half (46%) of UK veterinary students also have a part-time job to make ends meet.
(BVA)
Adding to the stress of vet school, 46% of veterinary students report that they don’t make enough money to cover their living expenses. Students report being short an average of £2,000 a year, leading to 50% holding down part-time jobs while trying to work through their coursework. It’s no wonder that 68% also report being overwhelmed!
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Life After Graduation For UK Veterinarians
7. The average first-year veterinarian makes about £33,500 per year in their total salary package.
(VetTimes)
Most veterinarians go directly into work once they graduate from school, either as locums or fully employed veterinarians.
8. There is a 15% gender pay gap among UK veterinarians.
(VetTimes)
This number shrinks among more recently qualified veterinarians. Among vets who have qualified in the past 15 years, the gender pay gap ranges from 3%-6%.
9. The total enrollment of students in vet schools in the UK fell by 10.9% compared to 2021.
(VetTimes)
The 2022 academic year saw a total enrollment of 2,370 students enrolled in veterinary science degree programmes. This number is 290 less (10.9%) compared to the 2021 academic year.
10. The majority of UK veterinarians are employed in small animal practice.
(RCVS)
52.6% of UK veterinarians work in small animal or exotic animal practices. 11.7% work in mixed practice and 6.4% work in veterinary referral practices, rounding out the top three.
11. Recent graduates take an average of 1.87 months to find their first job after vet school.
(RCVS)
With 71% of new veterinarians going straight into practice, the time it takes to find their first position has decreased. In 2014, it took new vets an average of 3 months to land their first position.
12. 48% of all surveyed UK veterinarians would still choose to go into the profession if they had to start their careers over.
(RCVS)
Despite all the stress, lack of money, and long hours, 48% of UK veterinarians wouldn’t do it differently if given the chance. Another 29% were undecided while only 23% said they would go back and pick another career. Working with animals, job satisfaction, and the challenge of the work are the top 3 reasons UK veterinarians love their work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Veterinarian In The UK
How did Brexit impact veterinarians in the UK?
One of the reasons cited for the UK veterinary shortage is complications resulting from Brexit. EU and other foreign veterinarians left the UK or chose not to apply to vet school there due to the new complications with obtaining visas. The British Veterinary Association successfully lobbied for veterinarians to be added to the Shortage Occupations List, making it easier to hire non-UK veterinarians. (VIN)
How did COVID-19 impact veterinarians in the UK?
Veterinarians and veterinary practices in the UK have dealt with various issues related to the pandemic and resulting stay-at-home orders.
The number of consultations performed decreased during lockdowns. The number of preventative vaccinations given decreased by 60% in the UK. 23% of UK veterinarians reported losing their job or being furloughed due to the pandemic.
Veterinary practices are also dealing with supply shortages, technician shortages, and higher prices for medications. Despite these challenges, UK vets also reported a 50% increase in total client numbers, perhaps as a result of the increase in pet ownership that also occurred during the pandemic. (VetRecord)
What mental issues do UK veterinarians struggle with?
In the US, suicide rates among veterinarians are high compared to the general population. Unfortunately, UK veterinarians are also plagued by mental health struggles and burnout at high rates. Stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are all common among UK veterinarians.
Some factors that lead to mental health concerns include long working hours, lack of work-life balance, performance anxiety at work–especially for new veterinarians, and feeling undervalued. Difficult interactions with clients can also play a role. (VetLife)
Do UK veterinarians have to perform continuing education?
To maintain their licensing, all UK veterinarians must perform a minimum of 35 hours of continuing professional development each year. CPD hours can be completed in several ways, including taking courses, research, mentorship or shadowing, and participating in learning clubs. (RCVS CPD)
Do UK veterinarians ever become specialists?
After completing their veterinary coursework, some UK veterinarians choose to undertake even more extensive training to become veterinary specialists. This means they choose a particular field of study–such as cardiology or emergency medicine and train specifically in that field. Specialists are typically employed at veterinary referral hospitals or veterinary schools. (RCVS Specialists)
Conclusion
Many animal-loving children dream of becoming veterinarians and some of them grow up and make their dreams come true. Becoming a veterinarian in the UK requires dedication to academics both in high school and through at least 5 years of veterinary school. After school, UK veterinarians embark on a difficult and deeply rewarding career. If you’re interested in becoming a veterinarian, get started by researching the requirements of the various vet schools in the UK and see about finding a job with your local veterinarian to check things out and gain some experience.
