Introduction
Getting into a UK vet school, is not only challenging but also requires lots of additional extra curricular work in order to maximise chances of a successful application. In this blog I will discuss the average university acceptance rates, including some tips and tricks to implement in order to maximise your chances of getting into a UK Vet school.
How Hard is it to Get into Vet School?
Acceptance rates for UK Vet schools currently sit at around 50%, which have significantly increased in recent years. Multiple factors have contributed to this increased acceptance, including a recent shortage in UK Vets during the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in an increased number of Universities providing a Veterinary Medicine Course. Three of the most recent Universities include Harper and Keele Veterinary School, The Aberystwyth School of Veterinary Science (in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College) and University of Central Lancashire.
This should come as great news to prospective Veterinary students as your aspiration of becoming a Veterinary surgeon, although still challenging, appears to be more attainable than ever before.
It should also be noted that different universities accept a different cohort size each year, therefore each have different prospective student acceptance rates. Below I have listed the current acceptance rates for each university, as this may influence your decision when deciding what school to apply to.
| University | Yearly cohort size | Number UK applicants per place | Number non-UK applicants per place | % applicants receiving an interview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Bristol | 180 | 9 | 11 | n/a |
| University of Cambridge | 75 | 5.5 | 9.5 | 80% |
| University of Edinburgh | 110 | 13 | 8 | 40% |
| University of Glasgow | 137 | 9 | 7.6 | n/a |
| University of Surrey | 150 | 7 | 44 | 100% students passing threshold interviewed |
| Harper & Keele Vet School | 90 | 8 | n/a | 52% |
| University of Liverpool | 165 | 6 | 18 | 80% |
| Royal Veterinary Collage | 175 | 9 | 4 | 40% |
| University of Nottingham | 300 | 10 | 14 | 100% students interviewed |
Challenges of the UK Vet School Application Process?
There are numerous barriers a prospective student must surpass for a successful application into Vet school in the UK. Below I have listed some of the main challenges each prospective student will face, as being aware of these challenges will place students in a better position to deal and surpass them.
- Work Experience Requirements
- A level Grade Requirements – (grade requirements and required subjects vary on specific university basis, although vital subjects include Biology (grade A) and Chemistry (grade A)
- Personal Statement
- Tests and Questionnaires prior to interview
- Successful Interview Process – (around 50-80% of successful applicants will be interviewed, which consists of a MMI style interview process).
For more information and detaisl regarding these challenges and how to optimise your chances of getting into vet school, please see my other blog posts.
How Can I Maximise Chances of Vet School Acceptance?
If you would like more information or support with your Veterinary School application, please feel free to contact me. I am a fully qualified and experienced Veterinary Surgeon with over 7 years of teaching and mentoring prospective vet students. I offer personalised tutoring, interview preparation, and personal statement advice to help aspiring students become future Veterinary Surgeons. My guidance provides you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to maximise your chances of gaining a place at vet school in the UK.
