Bachelor of Veterinary Science
The Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc or BVSC; Latin Baccalaureus Veterinariae Scientiae),"Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine" (BVetMed), or "Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery" ("BVM&S" or "BVMS") is a bachelor's degree for studies in veterinary science in the United Kingdom and some other countries. These degrees qualify one to practice as a veterinarian in the US if the degree is conferred from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited school and the candidate passes the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NAVLE) exam, just as any other US and Canada graduate. They are the UK's equivalent to DVM/VMD degrees; the main equalizer being licensure in the US.[1] They are not called "doctorate" degrees due to nomenclature differences among degree designations between the US and Canada and the UK. In the UK, a doctorate degree designation is reserved for advanced academic degrees resulting in a thesis publication and dissertation, as in a PhD. However, if a graduate with a BVSc (BVSC, BVMS, etc.) does practice in the US, they are entitled to use the title "Dr".[1]
It is generally a 5-year course. (Cambridge Veterinary School's course lasts 6 years and awards a BA after 3 years, followed by the VetMB after 6 years). Some universities will award the students a BSc after the first 3 years, and the BVSc after the final 2 years.
The degree is generally required for becoming a veterinarian in the countries where it is awarded.
Veterinary Medicine in the UK
In the United Kingdom, there are currently eight institutions where Veterinary medicine can be studied:
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Liverpool
- Royal Veterinary College (RVC), part of the University of London
- University of Nottingham
- University of Surrey—Not currently approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons[2]
The University of Nottingham started to run the course in 2006 and the graduates of 2011 are the first to have received the MRCVS acknowledgement required for employment as a vet from that institution. It has not yet been confirmed whether graduates from the University of Surrey will have met the RCVS requirements for practising as a veterinary surgeon.
Degree titles
Although institution choice in this specialised Bachelor's Degree makes no difference in becoming a practicing Vet, most of the universities have unique titles:
- Bristol - Bachelor of Veterinary Science BVSc
- Cambridge - Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine BA VetMB
- Edinburgh - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery BVM&S
- Glasgow - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery BVMS
- Liverpool - Bachelor of Veterinary Science BVSc
- Nottingham - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Veterinary Surgery with integrated Bachelor of Veterinary Medical Sciences BVM BVS BVMedSci
- RVC - Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine BVetMed
