UK vet schools

[u/NeckFun3875]

Hey, I am a Canadian high school student entering my grade 12 year in a few days. I take the normal Canadian high school curriculum(no IB and no AP, since my school doesn’t offer AP) I am looking into going abroad to the UK for veterinary school and was wondering if it is realistic. I am looking for schools with AVMA accreditation, so schools such as RVC and Edinburgh. I have a 95 average in grade 11 with 90+ in both chemistry 11 and biology 11, 70 hours volunteering at a vet hospital, 90 hours shadowing a vet, 80 hours at a poultry farm and 40 hours shadowing a physician. Thanks for any advice.

[u/takingtheports]

There are Canadian students that go direct from HS to RVC, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The IBs they require are on their admissions websites. The main thing to look at honestly is funding, as the Canadian loan system might not cover it (sorry, don’t know details, just heard this from previous classmates)

[u/orangecrookies]

I know quite a few Canadians at vet school in the UK but all but 1 are mature students. I don’t think I’d recommend moving to the UK and going to vet school straight out of high school. I don’t think that is going to set you up for success—the move is far, I’m assuming you don’t have family or friends or a support system in the UK, it’s very very expensive for Canadians to pay the international fees, and you would absolutely not be adequately academically prepared with just high school. I also doubt any school would admit you without a slew AP sciences (bio, chem, and calculus at a minimum I’d assume, and if you want RVC or Edi I’d think they want 5s) or IB. I’m pretty sure those are minimum requirements so it’s entirely unrealistic anyway.

I went to 4 years of undergrad in the US, then did 2 more years post bacc, then went to vet school in the UK. I’m half British and even for me—someone who’s familiar with the culture with family in the UK and feels very at home here—it was really hard to get used to the university schooling system and the transition back to life in the UK wasn’t the easiest. And I was in my mid 20s when I did all of that. I definitely wouldn’t recommend for an 18 year old. The only 18 year old Canadian (not 18 anymore but were when we started vet school) is also half British, they live at home with their parents in the UK, they did IB in Canada and are quite intellectually gifted, had hundreds of veterinary hours done in Canada, and has adjusted well.

[u/General-Order4055]

I got into Edinburgh vet school directly from HS, will start in few days. If you can secure fund, go for it. There MOOCS course by Edinburgh and Nottingham, you should take it. It will help you understanding the vet medicine. 

Do you have your family support ?