| To become a vet, one needs more than a profound | | | | started a new veterinary school. Applications are |
| love of animals, although its importance cannot be | | | | made through the Universities & College Admissions |
| discounted. After all, a vet spends most of his career | | | | Service (UCAS). There are also a number of |
| caring for our four-legged (and some two-legged) | | | | overseas degrees from Australia, New Zealand and |
| friends. However, just affection won't help serve | | | | South Africa which are approved by RCVS. |
| animals when their health or lives are at stake. After all, | | | | Graduates from North American schools accredited |
| a vet is responsible for the prevention of disease and | | | | by the American Veterinary Medical Association can |
| for the medical and surgical treatment of animals, and it | | | | also apply for membership to the RCVS. Holders of |
| requires a lot of training and hard work to gain this | | | | many European degrees are also eligible to register |
| expertise. | | | | with RCVS if they are EU citizens. Seats at the |
| The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is | | | | veterinary degree courses are highly sought after and |
| the governing body of vets in the country. Under the | | | | have stringent requirements for admission. These |
| provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, | | | | include a strong academic record as represented by |
| with certain minor exceptions, only a registered | | | | the following: A Levels Biology must usually be offered |
| veterinary surgeon is permitted to diagnose and treat | | | | at A level. The requirement for other subjects varies a |
| injuries and ailments of animals. In order to be granted | | | | little from university to university, but either one or two |
| membership of the RCVS, an aspiring vet will have to | | | | subjects from Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics |
| go to university and take a veterinary degree. The UK | | | | should be offered. Some universities may accept a |
| universities offering veterinary degrees approved by | | | | third A level in a non-science subject, but it must be an |
| the RCVS are Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Cambridge, | | | | academically sound subject. The minimum grades |
| Edinburgh and London (the Royal Veterinary College). | | | | generally expected are two A's and a B, though some |
| The courses are usually five years in length (six years | | | | schools will require three grade A's. |
| at some schools). The Nottingham University has also | | | | |