Veterinary Medicine - Graduate Entry
With so much competition for entry to Veterinary Medicine from school leavers, many candidates with the necessary aptitude and attitude required to develop productive, professional careers in veterinary medicine are unable to secure a place. By increasing the number of places available to graduates with appropriate prior learning, and by providing a tailor-made course over four years for graduate entrants, we have increased student diversity and provided enhanced opportunities for entry.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years
Careers / Further progression
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
You can work in mixed, small animal, farm animal or equine practice. You may also obtain further specialist clinical qualifications. Beyond clinical practice, veterinarians play an important role in the protection of public health, in research into diseases of animals and man, and in other areas, such as conservation and wildlife protection. While most graduates work in clinical practice, increasing numbers pursue research in public service or private sector research. This reflects the important role of the veterinarian in animal health control and consumer protection. At present, there is almost complete employment for veterinary graduates.
Further information
Graduate Entry
Entry Requirements
See www.myucd.ie/vmge
Application Procedure
For full details about the application procedure, please visit www.myucd.ie/vetmedgradentry
Students who have previously been unsuccessful in any Veterinary Medicine programme (i.e. have not met academic or other requirements within the programme) will only be considered for admission to Veterinary Medicine in UCD on a case-by-case appeal basis, to be considered by the relevant Programme Board.
Eligibility Criteria
The four-year graduate entry course is open to applicants who:
1. Hold an honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in a biological, biomedical or animal science discipline at the level of a 2.2 Honours or above, a Masters degree or a PhD.
(Graduates of any discipline are welcome to apply for entry to the five-year MVB programme. Up to five places will be made available in DN300)
2. Are EU applicants (i.e. not deemed “Non-EU” applicants for purposes of fees)
Graduate entry candidates will be assessed on a combination of:
i) GAMSAT score
ii) Educational performance
iii) A personal statement outlining their motivation to study Veterinary Medicine
iv) Applicants are expected to have gained relevant work experience of handling animals. This should, where possible, include not only seeing veterinary practice, but also spending time on livestock farms and other animal establishments.
v) Applicants may be called for interview
Places: 5
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
To apply for this four-year course, you must have completed a degree in biological, biomedical or animal sciences before entry into the course. This graduate entry course is designed to educate future veterinarians to the best international standards in veterinary medicine and to prepare them for careers in professional work, research and public service.
Clinical rotations take place primarily in the UCD Veterinary Hospital in Belfield, which receives a range of pet species, farm animals and horses.
The study of Veterinary Medicine necessitates using animal-derived material in some classes. Any animal tissue used in classes is ethically sourced in full compliance with the university’s ethical review body. Individuals who object unreservedly to the use of animal material in teaching should not enter the veterinary medicine course.
What will I study?
The course is organised over four years. In first year, students will build on their knowledge of the basic biological sciences. You will take modules that demonstrate how this knowledge is applied in the practice of veterinary medicine, and gain a firm grounding in animal welfare, behaviour and handling. A key objective will be to ensure that you have the required knowledge, skills and competencies to progress to second year. Between second and fourth year, you will take combined modules with students taking the DN300 degree in Veterinary Medicine.
www.myucd.ie/vmge
UCD Veterinary Medicine School Office
+353 1 716 6100
vetprogrammes@ucd.ie
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @MyUCD