University of Glasgow Vet School (UK)

Sara Cavalieri
May 15
4 min read

In a city that means "Dear Green Space," the University of Glasgow veterinary school is set in 200 acres itself, with various walking trails and the scenic River Kelvin nearby.

Ranked 18th in the world (QS, 2024) for veterinary medicine, Glasgow is also one of the most supportive institutions for North American students looking to return and practice at home.

Here are more of the highlights of my visit!

Entry to the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine

Garscube Campus

Just four miles from the main campus, Garscube is home to all veterinary medicine and veterinary bioscience students.

Students tend to live in the Wolfson Hall residences on site for the first year before moving to the nearby village of Anniesland, a 15-minute walk away.

Either way, it's easy to commute to the Glasgow city centre, via a network of bus and train links.

Within the city, Glasgow is also home to the world's third oldest subway system, affectionately known as Clockwork Orange.

Academics

Glasgow offers a 5-year vet med program with a spiral curriculum, revisiting topics with an increasing clinical focus along the way.

This makes it easy not to forget information and take a holistic approach to treatment.

The first two years are primarily foundational, developing skills such as suturing and looking at cases.

The next two years are clinical, where students investigate diseases and control.

The final year is the professional phase and has no lectures; the focus is on small-group clinical work.

In this year, students can also undertake 'selectives' to bias their experience toward their own personal interests (such as wildlife, exotics or zoo).

The Small Animal Hospital on site, whose technologically-advanced green roof makes the building almost disappear into a newly created hillside.

Some of these can even be taken overseas in places like Morocco, UC Davis or Boston.

There is a huge emphasis on independent learning, as they hold the belief that it's impossible for the school to teach students everything they need to know; they must take responsibility for their own learning.

The James Herriot Library, named after one of their most famous alums

They're also in the process of changing the assessments from high-stake terminal exams to multiple ones to take some of the pressure off.

And like all vet programs in the UK, students have to undertake 30 weeks of Extramural Studies (EMS) during their vacation time.

Outside of class though, Glasgow has more student societies than any other vet school, which include sports clubs and more.

This also allows for lots of mingling between students of all years.

Newish building where students can hang out and mingle

For example, the Barbecue Club held an event to show the Super Bowl in the main building, and there was also a Vet Prom featuring a 3-course meal.

FEEPASS Program

Glasgow Vet School also offers a unique opportunity working with a number of U.S. institutions to facilitate a shorter pathway to become a veterinarian.

Animal Science majors at partner institutions apply during their sophomore year in the U.S. to undertake their junior year as a study abroad student at Glasgow.

Upon successful completion of junior year at Glasgow, students are then permitted to enter Year 2 of the vet med program -- without needing to apply separately!

To apply for FEEPASS, students must also have had experience shadowing a veterinarian and a GPA of at least 3.4.

Some of the institutions with this agreement include Ohio State, Clemson, Pursue, Penn State, Vermont, Rhode Island, California Polytechnic State San Luis Obispo, Maine, Missouri, Illinois, Connecticut, Tuskegee and Washington State.

What an amazing and unique opportunity!

NAVLE Prep

Due to a shortage of veterinarians, it is easy for international students to stay in the UK should they wish to practice there, and students can practice on day one after graduating (there are no boards to pass).

However, starting salaries are exponentially higher in the U.S., so most students return home.

Nevertheless, Glasgow has one of the most comprehensive NAVLE support programs of anywhere in the UK.

With three NAVLE champions on staff, students can participate in Lunch & Learn sessions, receive lots of coaching, can take a block out of their fifth-year timetable to prep and have paid access to Vet Prep.

They also take a test in their third year to see how they're tracking.

Vet Admissions

The Glasgow Vet School has 135 places on its course, with 65 spots for non-UK students.

They're looking for students with high grades, particularly in biology and chemistry, as well as a realistic understanding of the profession, enthusiasm and teamwork skills.

Work experience is expected, but there is no set number of hours required.

Interviews for North American students are held online with a panel of two admissions staff members and last for 20-25 minutes.