What A-levels do you need to become a vet?
Passionate about helping animals? Find out what A-level subjects you could take to start a career as a vet.
If you want to study veterinary science or medicine, it’s crucial to choose the right A-levels. Chemistry is usually a must-have subject wherever you plan to study, but there are other essentials depending on the particular university you want to go to.
Take a look at individual veterinary science courses on The Uni Guide to find out the most popular subjects vet students studied before arriving at university. You can compare these with what universities ask for in their entry requirements.
Veterinary medicine at The Royal Veterinary College, University of London: AAA – including biology, chemistry anda third subject of your choice. Offers of ABB (with an A in biology or chemistry) could be made to widening participation applicants.
Veterinary medicine and surgery at the University of Nottingham: AAB – with grade A in biology (or human biology) and chemistry and grade B in a third subject. A pass in science practical tests will be required, where these are assessed separately.
Veterinary science at the University of Liverpool: AAA – including biology, one other academic science related subject and any other subject excluding general studies, critical thinking and ccitizenship studies. If chemistry is not offered at A level, grade B at AS-level is required.
Are you taking the right A-levels for the path you want to go down? Find out with our A-level explorer tool.
A-level subjects for veterinary medicine
What A-level subjects are needed or essential for veterinary degrees?
Combining chemistry, biology and either maths or physics (or taking both) is the best way to keep all veterinary courses open to you.Take a look at individual veterinary science courses on The Uni Guide to find out the most popular subjects vet students studied before arriving at university. You can compare these with what universities ask for in their entry requirements.
- Read more: what are university entry requirements?
Examples of veterinary science degree requirements
Below is a range of veterinary courses offered by different universities and the A-level entry requirements they ask for (as of 4 December 2023):Veterinary medicine at The Royal Veterinary College, University of London: AAA – including biology, chemistry anda third subject of your choice. Offers of ABB (with an A in biology or chemistry) could be made to widening participation applicants.
Veterinary medicine and surgery at the University of Nottingham: AAB – with grade A in biology (or human biology) and chemistry and grade B in a third subject. A pass in science practical tests will be required, where these are assessed separately.
Veterinary science at the University of Liverpool: AAA – including biology, one other academic science related subject and any other subject excluding general studies, critical thinking and ccitizenship studies. If chemistry is not offered at A level, grade B at AS-level is required.
Are you taking the right A-levels for the path you want to go down? Find out with our A-level explorer tool.
