About the school
Founded on 12 December 1918, the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno (VETUNI Brno, formerly VFU) is the only university in the Czech Republic awarding the veterinary medicine degree. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVL) sits alongside the Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology; the Pharmaceutical Faculty was transferred to Masaryk University in 2020, and the university adopted its current name (dropping 'Pharmaceutical') in 2021.
Positioning in continental Europe
Brno competes in the same segment as the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, UVMP Kosice (Slovakia) and Warsaw's WULS/SGGW: a six-year English-taught MVDr programme designed for international applicants who want an EU-recognised veterinary degree at a fraction of UK or US costs. Tuition sits below Budapest (approx. EUR 18,900/yr) and Warsaw (approx. EUR 13,700/yr) and only slightly above Kosice.
Accreditation
- EAEVE 'Approved' status renewed in October 2023, valid through October 2030, with mid-cycle monitoring visits in October 2024, 2026 and 2028 (ECOVE final report, 11 December 2023).
- Not AVMA-accredited - Brno does not appear on the AVMA Council on Education list of accredited colleges. Graduates wishing to practise in the US or Canada must complete the ECFVG (US) or NEB (Canada) equivalency process.
- The MVDr diploma is automatically recognised across the EU/EEA under Directive 2005/36/EC.
Key facts
- Founded : 1918 (Veterinary College with rector Edward Babak)
- Degree : MVDr (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), 6 years
- Faculties : FVL (Veterinary Medicine) + FVHE (Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology)
- School farms : 3,176 ha in Nove Jicin + 179 ha near Brno for practical training
- Research : partner in the CEITEC Centre of Excellence
Verified 2026-09-22 · Sources: fvl.vetuni.cz, vetuni.cz, EAEVE ECOVE Report 11 Dec 2023, AVMA COE list, MSMT, Numbeo Brno. Sub-agent confirmations: founded 12 Dec 1918, tuition EUR 7,900/yr, EAEVE Oct 2023-2030, NOT AVMA, intake cap ~80, written exam only (no oral), IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 80.
Campus & Facilities
Brno is the second-largest city in the Czech Republic (approx. 404,000 inhabitants) and one of Central Europe's densest student hubs: six universities host roughly 75,000-80,000 students in term-time, giving the city a young, international feel comparable to Leuven or Ghent.
Campus
The VETUNI campus is grouped on Palackeho trida in the north-western district of Brno-Kralovo Pole, roughly 3 km from the historic centre and reachable by tram in about 15 minutes. It houses the teaching hospitals for small animals, birds and exotic species, horses, ruminants and pigs, plus lecture halls, anatomy pavilions and the Kaunicovy koleje dormitory. The Nove Mesto na Morave school farm and the Nove Jicin agricultural estate provide the large-animal rotation.
Dormitories
Kaunicovy studentske koleje, Kralova 45 - university-owned since 1999. Offers 1- and 2-bed rooms with private bathroom, kitchenette and internet; on-site laundry, study room, sauna, table-tennis and outdoor sports pitch. Priority is given to VETUNI students; monthly rates are typically in the EUR 150-280 range depending on room type, comparable to other Brno public dormitories.
Living in Brno
- Rent : shared flat EUR 300-500/month/room; studio EUR 550-750/month
- Groceries : approx. EUR 250-320/month
- Public transport (DPMB) : EUR 11/month with student ID
- Overall student budget : EUR 600-900/month all-in, distinctly cheaper than Prague or Vienna
The city is served by Brno-Turany airport (direct flights to London, Munich, Eindhoven) and is 90 minutes by train from Vienna and 2h30 from Prague.
Academic requirements
Entry to the six-year MVDr programme requires a completed secondary (high-school) education giving general university access in the country of issue.
Accepted diplomas
- EU/EEA : Baccalaureat (FR), Maturita (CZ/SK/IT), Bachillerato + EBAU (ES), Abitur (DE), Matura (PL/AT), IB Diploma - accepted without additional evaluation.
- Non-EU : High-school diplomas must be verified for equivalence (nostrifikace) by the relevant Czech regional authority before enrolment; VETUNI's Study Office guides applicants through the procedure.
- Applicants who have not yet graduated may apply conditionally and submit the final certificate before matriculation.
Subject requirements
No specific subject prerequisites are set at diploma level, but the entrance exam covers biology and chemistry to secondary-school syllabus depth. Applicants without a strong science stream in high school are strongly encouraged to prepare via a pre-med / foundation year.
English language proficiency
The English-taught programme requires a good command of English. Applicants whose first language is not English (and who did not complete secondary school in English) must document proficiency. Commonly accepted minima:
- IELTS : 6.0 overall
- TOEFL iBT : 80 (paper-based 550)
- Cambridge : FCE / B2 First
- Or an equivalent internationally recognised certificate; the Study Office may accept a school certificate confirming English-medium instruction.
Health : a completed medical certificate confirming fitness for veterinary studies (contact with animals, physical work) is compulsory at application stage.
Work experience
Prior veterinary work experience is NOT a formal admission requirement at VETUNI Brno. Unlike the UK RVC or Utrecht, Brno does not ask for a logbook of clinic hours, a farm placement or animal-handling references at application stage.
What is required
- The online application submitted through the e-application portal.
- A verified copy of the secondary-school leaving certificate (delivered in person or by post).
- One passport-format photograph.
- A completed medical certificate confirming fitness for veterinary study - this is where prior exposure to animals matters, as the certificate must confirm no relevant allergies or contraindications.
- Proof of English proficiency (see academic requirements).
Recommended even if not required
While not scored, work experience is strongly recommended for two practical reasons:
- Confirming vocation : a six-year commitment at EUR 7,900/year deserves a realistic picture of the profession. Shadowing a small-animal clinic, a large-animal practice and, if possible, a laboratory or shelter gives that picture.
- First-year workload : anatomy dissection, handling of livestock at the school farm and early clinical rotations are easier for students who have already touched an animal in a professional setting.
Brno does not run a formal interview, so there is no opportunity to 'defend' hours of experience in front of a jury - the applicant simply needs to be honest with themselves before signing up for six years.
Admission
Places 80
No oral interview. Selection is decided by the written entrance exam in Biology + Chemistry, held on the Brno campus. Candidates are ranked by their combined score and admitted up to the annual quota of 80 places (2025-26 English MVDr cap). A second round of admissions is opened only if the quota is not filled in the first round.
Because there is no interview, applicants do not need to travel to Brno twice - a single trip covers the exam. Results are typically communicated within a few weeks and enrolment is confirmed on payment of the first tuition instalment.
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Submit online e-application
Complete the online application form on the Faculty portal (fvl.vfu.cz/e-application) - single form for the English-taught MVDr programme.
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Post supporting documents
Send the printed application, high-school certificate, passport photo and medical certificate to the Study Office of FVL VETUNI in Brno before the March deadline.
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Pay the application fee
Transfer any application fee due for the 2026-27 cycle (waived in 2025-26; verify on the Faculty page).
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Receive exam invitation
The Study Office issues an official invitation with the date, time and room of the entrance examination on the Brno campus.
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Sit the entrance exam
Written test in Biology and Chemistry (secondary-school syllabus) - typically April-May of the year of entry. No oral component.
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Receive admission decision
Candidates are ranked by score and admitted up to the annual cap (80 in 2025-26). Decisions are usually published within a few weeks of the exam.
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Confirm your place
Return the acceptance form and pay the first tuition instalment before the deadline set in the admission letter.
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Arrange visa and accommodation
Non-EU students apply for a long-term study visa at the Czech embassy; all students can book Kaunicovy koleje via the university housing office.
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Enrol and begin studies
Matriculation on the Brno campus in September; the six-year MVDr programme starts with anatomy, biochemistry and general biology.
To apply for the English-taught MVDr programme at VETUNI Brno you must submit:
- Online e-application via the Faculty portal (fvl.vfu.cz/e-application).
- A certified copy of your secondary-school leaving certificate (or a signed declaration that it will be submitted before enrolment if you graduate in the same summer). Non-EU diplomas require Czech nostrification.
- One passport-format photograph.
- A completed medical certificate confirming fitness for veterinary study (contact with animals, physical work, no disqualifying allergies).
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 80 or equivalent) for non-native speakers.
- Copy of passport / national ID.
- Payment confirmation of the application fee if applicable for the 2026-27 cycle (the 2025-26 cycle waived the fee - to be confirmed for 2026-27).
All hard-copy documents must be delivered in person or by post to the Study Office of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Palackeho tr. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno.
Interview & exam format
VETUNI Brno selects candidates by a written entrance examination. There is no oral interview, no MMI and no motivation panel - selection is purely test-score-based, which makes Brno unusually predictable compared to UK or French entry routes.
Format
- Two subjects : Biology and Chemistry, based on the standard secondary-school syllabus.
- Written test, typically multiple-choice, administered on the Brno campus.
- Detailed topic lists ('okruhy') are published on the Faculty website and cover general biology (cell, genetics, human/animal physiology, ecology) and general + inorganic + organic chemistry.
Sessions - 2025-26 cycle (reference)
- Main round : exam window 1 April - 12 May 2025 (documentation deadline 31 March 2025).
- Second round (only if capacity remains) : 15 July - 2 August 2025 (documentation deadline 14 July 2025).
2026-27 sessions
Not yet published as of September 2026. Historically, VETUNI mirrors the same calendar year on year, so applicants for entry in September 2026 should plan for a March 2026 documentation deadline and April-May 2026 exam window - subject to formal confirmation on fvl.vetuni.cz.
What the exam does NOT test
- No physics, no mathematics, no essay.
- No English test on the day - proficiency is documented in advance.
- No animal-handling practical.
Preparation guides (Prague Education Center and similar) run intensive winter/spring courses in Biology + Chemistry to the Brno syllabus.
Tuition fees
| Student profile | Annual fees | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|
| 🌍 International English MVDr (per year) | €7.900 | €39.500 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech-language MVDr (per year) | €0 | €0 |
| 🌍 Application fee (2026-27) | €0 | €0 |
Scholarships & financial aid
Studying the MVDr programme in Czech is free of tuition for any student who passes the Czech-language entrance exam. Effective saving vs the English track: EUR 7,900/year (EUR 47,400 over six years). Requires strong Czech (B2+ / C1); many EU applicants dedicate a foundation year to reach the level.
Once enrolled, VETUNI students can spend 3-12 months at a partner faculty (Utrecht, Ghent, Vienna, Lyon, Zaragoza, Turin, etc.) and receive an EU grant of EUR 350-550/month for living costs.
The Czech Ministry of Education (MSMT) offers full or partial scholarships to nationals of selected developing countries for degree study conducted in Czech (including MVDr). Includes tuition waiver, monthly stipend and one return flight.
Short-term mobility grants for students from Central and Eastern Europe once enrolled, covering a monthly stipend and host-university contribution. Useful for exchange semesters or research placements.
VETUNI Brno itself does not offer merit scholarships to first-year international applicants on the English MVDr programme - the EUR 7,900/year fee is expected to be self-funded. Financial-aid options come from external programmes.
EU / EEA students
- Czech-language track is FREE : Czech public universities do not charge tuition for degree study conducted in Czech. EU citizens with a B2+ Czech certificate can apply to the free Czech MVDr programme and save EUR 47,400 across six years.
- Erasmus+ outgoing mobility : once enrolled, VETUNI students can spend 3-12 months at a partner faculty (Utrecht, Ghent, Vienna, Lyon, Zaragoza, Turin) with a EUR 350-550/month EU grant.
- Home-country loans and grants : French CROUS, Italian INPS, Spanish MEC grants and government student loans (UK, Ireland, Germany) apply on the usual conditions.
Non-EU students
- MSMT Government Scholarships : the Czech Ministry of Education offers scholarships to nationals of selected developing countries for degree study conducted in Czech.
- CEEPUS and Visegrad Fund : short-term mobility grants for students from Central and Eastern Europe once enrolled.
- Private foundations (Fulbright, DAAD, etc.) may cover living costs but rarely the veterinary tuition itself.
Working during studies
EU students may work in Czechia without restriction. Non-EU students on a long-term study visa can work part-time (up to a fixed weekly limit) but the intensive veterinary curriculum leaves little bandwidth beyond a summer job or on-campus student assistant role.
Cost of living
📊 What happens to graduates
Aggregate public data with sources cited, verified 23/09/2026.
Employment outcomes
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33.00 % of graduates KVL ČR estimate 🟡market absorption ratioKVL ČR: 'nadprodukce absolventů je přibližně trojnásobná' — overproduction ~3x. Only ~half of graduates find work in the profession per SVS/private-sector saturation.
Student composition
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225.00 new vet graduates/year (200-25 🟡annual grads CZ totalKVL ČR: 200-250 fresh vet grads enter profession/year in CR — VETUNI Brno is the sole vet school in Czechia so this = VETUNI Brno grads.🇬🇧 % 🇪🇺 % 🌍 %
⚠️ Pilot — 5 schools covered so far. Coverage varies by the official reports available (AlmaLaurea IT, HESA/RCVS UK, aggregate 4-ENV FR survey). Missing metrics will be enriched in future waves.
FAQ
How long is the programme and what degree do I get?
Six years full-time. Graduates receive the title MVDr (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), delivered by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at VETUNI Brno. The programme ends with state exams in clinical subjects.
Is the Brno MVDr recognised across the EU?
Yes. The MVDr is automatically recognised in all EU/EEA member states under Directive 2005/36/EC, and the Faculty holds EAEVE 'Approved' status (Oct 2023 - Oct 2030). Graduates can register with any EU veterinary council on the standard procedure.
Is Brno AVMA-accredited? Can I practise in the US?
No, VETUNI Brno is not AVMA-accredited. Only a handful of continental-EU schools are (Utrecht, Ghent, Copenhagen, etc.). To practise in the US, Brno graduates must complete the ECFVG equivalency programme (English test + BCSE + CPE clinical exam + NAVLE); for Canada, the NEB pathway. The MVDr itself is not sufficient for direct US licensure.
Is Brno cheaper than Budapest or Kosice?
Cheaper than Budapest, slightly more expensive than Kosice. For 2025-26, indicative English-programme tuition:
- Brno : EUR 7,900/year
- Kosice (UVMP) : approx. EUR 9,500/year
- Budapest (UVMB) : approx. EUR 18,900/year
- Warsaw (WULS) : approx. EUR 13,700/year
Brno's living costs are also lower than Budapest and comparable to Kosice - overall total spend is among the lowest in continental Europe.
Where will I live in Brno?
Kaunicovy studentske koleje is the university-owned dormitory at Kralova 45, 3 km from the historic centre. It offers 1- and 2-bed rooms with private bathroom, kitchenette, internet, laundry, study room and sports facilities. Monthly rates typically EUR 150-280/bed. Private flatshares in Kralovo Pole or Zabovresky districts cost EUR 300-500 per room; studios EUR 550-750.
What English level do I need?
Non-native speakers must document proficiency. Common minima:
- IELTS : 6.0 overall
- TOEFL iBT : 80 (paper-based 550)
- Cambridge : B2 First (FCE)
A school certificate confirming English-medium secondary education is normally accepted in lieu of a test. No English exam is administered on the entrance-exam day.
What does life in Brno actually cost?
A realistic student budget in Brno is EUR 600-900/month all-in (dormitory), or EUR 900-1,300 in a private studio. Public transport (DPMB student monthly pass EUR 11), canteen lunches at EUR 3 and cheap groceries make Brno one of the most affordable EU university cities - noticeably cheaper than Prague, Vienna or Budapest.
What are the 2026-2027 deadlines?
The 2026-27 calendar is not yet officially published as of September 2026. Based on the 2025-26 schedule, applicants should plan for:
- Documentation deadline : end of March 2026 (main round)
- Written exam : April-May 2026
- Optional second round : mid-July 2026 documentation, exam late July / early August 2026
Confirm dates on fvl.vetuni.cz once the 2026-27 admission notice is issued (usually late 2025 / early 2026).
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