🇬🇧 Public University · Cambridge, England

Veterinary Medicine (VetMB) at the University of Cambridge

Cambridge offers a science-intensive, collegiate 6-year route: three pre-clinical years leading to a BA, then three clinical years leading to the VetMB. It was ranked #1 in the UK for Veterinary Medicine in the Complete University Guide 2025.

🎯 Prepare admission 📋 How to apply
#1 UK Vet Medicine · CUG 2025
6 yrs BA + VetMB duration
A*AA A-levels + Chemistry
~67 Places per year
ESAT Admissions test required

About the school

Cambridge's Veterinary Medicine course is unusually science-led and runs over six years. The first three years cover the scientific foundations of veterinary medicine (graduating with a BA Hons); the final three are clinical, ending with the VetMB qualification.

Important accreditation note: the course has been operating with conditional RCVS accreditation, with full accreditation pending an inspection. The University has stated that students joining under conditional accreditation would still be able to register with the RCVS on graduation. Because this status is time-sensitive, verify the current accreditation position on vet.cam.ac.uk before applying.

Verified at undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk (VetMB course page, 2026-27 tuition-fees PDF, international fees page) and vet.cam.ac.uk (How to apply, FAQ), June 2026. Accreditation status and fees subject to change — re-check official pages before applying.

Campus & Facilities

Teaching combines University departments, the Department of Veterinary Medicine's clinical facilities (small-animal surgery, ambulatory farm/equine teams, MRI imaging, post-mortem facilities, a Clinical Skills Centre) and the nearby University Farm for lambing and dairy work. You also belong to a College, where you live and receive small-group "supervisions" — a hallmark of the Cambridge teaching method.

Academic requirements

  • A-level: A*AA, with Chemistry required plus at least one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics. Most successful applicants take three science/maths subjects.
  • IB: 41–42 points with 776 at Higher Level.
  • ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) is required — register in advance at an authorised centre before the published autumn deadline.
  • Individual Colleges may set higher conditions or specify an A* in a particular subject.

Work experience

Work experience is not a formal requirement, but Cambridge recommends about two weeks (a cumulative ~10–12 working days) of either "seeing practice" with vets or time in a farm, animal-charity or pet-shop setting. It need not be completed in one block.

Admission

Places 67

Academic, College-run interviews focused on scientific aptitude — not an MMI. Typically two interviews per College.
  1. UCAS application

    Apply via UCAS by the 15 October deadline (UCAS code D100); choose a College or make an open application.

  2. My Cambridge Application (SAQ)

    Complete Cambridge's additional online questionnaire after submitting your UCAS form.

  3. ESAT

    Register for and sit the Engineering and Science Admissions Test at an authorised centre before the published autumn deadline.

  4. College interview

    Attend academic interview(s) at your College in December — focused on scientific reasoning and aptitude, not MMI format.

  5. Offer decision

    College decisions arrive in late January. Conditional offers typically require A*AA including Chemistry. Verify exact dates at undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk.

A*AA including Chemistry (+ Bio/Maths/Physics), the ESAT admissions test, a SAQ/My Cambridge Application, and strong College interviews; ~2 weeks work experience recommended but not required.

Interview & exam format

Cambridge interviews are run by the Colleges and are typically academic in nature, often consisting of two separate interviews. They probe scientific reasoning and aptitude rather than following an MMI format. The specific structure, duration and questions vary by College — check with your chosen College before applying.

Tuition fees

Student profile Annual fees 5-year total
🇬🇧 Home (UK) £9.790 £48.950
🌍 International (University + College fee) £82.054 £410.270

⚠️ International fee = University fee (£70,554/yr 2026/27) + College fee (~£11,500–£14,950/yr depending on College). Total ~£82,000–£85,500/yr. Fixed for course duration. Verify at undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk.

Scholarships & financial aid

Cambridge Bursary Scheme

Means-tested bursary for lower-income UK students. Amounts depend on household income; available in addition to UK government loans. Check eligibility at studentregistry.admin.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding.

EMS Placement Support Grant 150% off

£150/year in each of years 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 (£750 total) to support Extramural Studies placement costs. Cambridge is stated to be the only UK vet school providing this. Applies to 2026 entrants.

UK Government Tuition Fee & Maintenance Loans

Available to UK (Home) students via Student Finance England. Covers tuition up to £9,790/yr (2026/27) and a maintenance loan based on household income.

Home students access UK government tuition-fee and maintenance loans via Student Finance England. The Cambridge Bursary Scheme provides additional means-tested support for lower-income UK students. Cambridge also provides an annual EMS placement payment of £150 in each of years 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 for 2026 entrants — stated to be the only UK vet school to do this. International financial support is limited; verify at undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk.

Cost of living

College accommodation £650 –£950 / mo
Private shared house £800 –£1200 / mo
Private studio (Cambridge) £1200 –£1700 / mo
Monthly all-in budget £1200 –£1800 / mo
EMS placement travel £100 –£400 / mo

Application timeline

  1. By Sept 2025
    ESAT registration

    Register for the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) at an authorised centre before the published autumn deadline. Late registration is not accepted.

  2. 15 Oct 2025
    UCAS + Cambridge deadline (2026 entry)

    Submit both the UCAS application (code D100) and the My Cambridge Application/SAQ by the 15 October 2025 deadline.

  3. Oct–Nov 2025
    ESAT sitting

    Sit the ESAT at your registered centre. Results are sent to Cambridge directly.

  4. December 2025
    College interviews

    Shortlisted candidates attend academic interviews at their College. Typically two interviews, each 20–40 minutes, focused on scientific reasoning.

  5. Late Jan 2026
    Offer decisions

    College decisions communicated via UCAS Track. Conditional offers (typically A*AA + Chemistry) must be met in August results.

FAQ

Why is the Cambridge course six years instead of five?
The first three pre-clinical years lead to a BA Hons in Veterinary Science; the final three clinical years lead to the VetMB qualification. The BA is a full undergraduate degree in its own right.
Do I need an admissions test?
Yes — all VetMB applicants must register for and sit the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test). Register at an authorised centre before the published autumn deadline; you cannot register on the day.
Is the course RCVS-accredited?
The course has been operating under conditional RCVS accreditation, with full accreditation subject to an inspection. Cambridge has stated that students admitted under conditional accreditation will still be eligible to register with the RCVS on graduation. Check the current accreditation status on vet.cam.ac.uk before applying.
Is work experience required?
No — work experience is recommended (about two weeks / ~10–12 working days) but is not a formal application requirement. It is still strongly advisable to demonstrate genuine interest in and understanding of the profession.
What makes the Cambridge interview different from an MMI?
Cambridge interviews are academic and College-run, typically two separate 20–40 minute sessions focused on scientific problem-solving ("think aloud" questions). They are closer to an Oxford/Cambridge tutorial than to a traditional MMI circuit.

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