How to Become A Vet In South Africa

A veterinarian, also known as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary physician, is a medical professional who practices veterinary medicine by treating diseases, disorders, and injuries in non-human animals.

What do vets do?

Veterinarians care for the health of animals and work to protect public health. They diagnose, treat, and research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and other animals.

What do vets do every day?

Veterinarians – What They Do. Most veterinarians diagnose animal health problems, vaccinate against diseases, medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses, treat and dress wounds, set fractures, perform surgery, and advise owners about animal feeding, behavior, and breeding.

How many surgeries do vets do a day?

For veterinarians that have been practicing for a couple of years or more, the ideal number would be 18 appointments and 2-3 surgeries per day (or 25 if no surgeries). I should also note that this number is ideal when there is a good mix of wellness and sick visits.

How to Become A Vet In South Africa

Studying to be a Vet in SA

Some frequently asked questions and information if you are considering Veterinary Science in South Africa:

Where can you study Veterinary Science in South Africa? 

There is only one vet school in South Africa and it is located in the capital city, Pretoria. The vet school has it’s own campus in the northern suburbs of Pretoria. Vet students spend the first year of the degree in Hatfield, Pretoria and the remaining years of the degree on the veterinary campus.

How long is the course?

The Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree is a six-year course.

What language is Veterinary Science presented in?

In first year, students can choose to study subjects in either English or Afrikaans. From second year onwards the subjects are all presented in English but most test papers are in English and Afrikaans. 

Are you accepted into Veterinary Science directly after school or do you have to complete a different degree, such as a BSc, before applying?

Students are accepted into the six-year course directly after school. However, due to the competitive nature of the course not all applicants are successful initially. Applicants who were not successful can apply to do a BSc Biological Sciences and will do the same first year subjects as the Veterinary Students should they be successful.

A certain number of Biological Sciences students are accepted into the course in June and then again in December based on the marks they have received for these first year subjects.

Some students have also completed a BSc in Animal Science and are then accepted into Veterinary. It is important to remember that even if you are not successful initially there are still opportunities to be accepted – don’t give up!

Why is it difficult to be accepted to study Veterinary in South Africa?

 There are many people who apply to study Veterinary Science and there are unfortunately a limited number of spaces available in each class. From thousands of applicants approximately 150 students are accepted each year.

What is the application process for Veterinary Science?

There are three components to the application

 Grade 11 Academic Results

The National Benchmark Test

The Value Added Form

 The Grade 11 marks are the only academic results supplied by the applicant and so it is very important to work hard in Grade 11 and not only Matric (Grade 12). Should you be accepted and drop four symbols between your end of year Grade 11 and final matric marks your application will become unsuccessful.

 The National Benchmark Test is used to further assess your academic level. Veterinary applicants have to write the Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics tests.

 The Value Added Form allows you to provide information about your involvement in extra activities such as sport, cultural activities, community service, leadership as well as the experience that you have dealing with animals.

When does the academic year start and finish?

 The academic year is divided into two semesters. The first semester is from January until the end of June and the second semester is from July until the end of November. Some subjects are only studied for one semester while others are studied for the entire year.

What subjects do vet students study in first year?

 First Semester Subjects:

Academic and Information Management

General Chemistry

 Language and Study Skills

Mathematics

Medical Terminology

Molecular and Cell Biology

Physics for Biology Students

 Second Semester Subjects:

 Biometry

General and Organic Chemistry

Genetics

Introduction to Animal Nutrition

Introduction to Animal Science

Veterinary Professional Life

What subjects do vet students study in second year?

 Year Subjects:

Veterinary Comparative Anatomy

Veterinary Histology and Physiology

Veterinary Ethology and Genetics

Veterinary Professional Life

 First Semester Subjects:

Veterinary Microbiology

Animal Science

Pasture Science

 Second Semester Subjects:

Veterinary Immunology

Animal Ecology

What subjects do vet students study in third year?

 Year Subjects:

Introductory Veterinary Diagnostics (includes Applied Physiology)

General and Organ Pathology

Veterinary Infectious Diseases

Veterinary Parasitology

Veterinary Pharmacology

Veterinary Professional Life

Veterinary Toxicology

 Second Semester Subjects:

General Surgery

What is Veterinary Professional Life?

 Veterinary Professional Life is a subject studied from first year until final year. This course aims at improving skills that are important to being a successful professional veterinarian once you have graduated.

Topics studied in this subject include welfare, community engagement, law and ethics, emotional intelligence, communication skills, information literacy, financial skills, study skills and other topics that are important to your well being as a vet student and vet.

Do vet students have to do a year of practical work similar to the Medical Students?

The sixth (final) year of the Veterinary Science course is spent working in a veterinary academic hospital doing clinical rotations.

Are veterinary students in South Africa required to do a compulsory year of community service after graduating?

Yes. New graduate veterinarians are required to do a compulsory year of community service before being able to register and practice as a veterinarian in South Africa. To find out more click here and here. 

Want to find out more about studying vet in South Africa

Please feel free to email me at savetstudent@gmail.com with any questions about studying veterinary in South Africa. I would love to help in any way I can to prepare you for the application process or if you are starting with vet in SA. 

VETERINARY MEDICINE DEGREES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Below you will find education programs in Veterinary Medicine in South Africa. Narrow your search further by selecting a specific category, program level and location.

MMedVet Bovine Medicine (Coursework)

University of Pretoria

Program description

MMedVet in Bovine Medicine in South Africa

The MMedVet Bovine Medicine is a full-time postgraduate program run by the University of Pretoria. The Faculty of Veterinary Science is unique in South Africa and thus has an essential role in training veterinary and para-veterinary professionals.

Graduates and research programs are vital in enhancing public and animal health, promoting bio-security and welfare, and ensuring our production animals and pets are safe and sound.

The quality and scope of our training is such that graduates from this Faculty are able to enter postgraduate programs at universities across the world. The University of Pretoria is also passionate about meeting the needs of South Africa and are striving to ensure that our curriculum will meet the growing need for primary animal healthcare, where veterinarians can assist rural communities and smallholder farmers.

The Faculty’s campus compares favorably with the best in the world. It has five academic departments, an Equine Research Centre and a Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies.

The Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (OVAH) provides state-of-the-art facilities for the clinical departments and is the focus of the Faculty’s clinical service rendering activities to the surrounding community. In addition it provides a national referral service.

The University is also proud of recent new additions to the Faculty, which include a multidisciplinary laboratory, skills laboratory, student center and offices for student administration and service.

Admission requirements

BVSc degree, BVScHons with specific modules required with a minimum of 60% in each module. Must be a qualified veterinarian, registered with the SA Veterinary Council.

MMedVet Equine Medicine (Coursework)

University of Pretoria

Program description

MMedVet Equine Medicine (Coursework)

As the only Faculty of Veterinary Science in the country, we play a distinctive role in the training of veterinarians and veterinary nurses who are indispensable for the country’s farming and animal welfare needs. We are also the leading Faculty of Veterinary Science in Africa and enjoy wide-ranging international recognition.

In 2018 the Faculty was ranked 37th among the top 50 veterinary schools globally by the Shanghai ranking system.

Our graduates and research programmes are vital to enhancing public and animal health, promoting biosecurity and welfare, and ensuring that our pets are safe and sound. The quality of its training is such that graduates from this Faculty have no difficulty competing for and entering postgraduate programmes at universities in countries around the world

Admission requirements

Minimum admission requirements

BVSc degree or an equivalent veterinary degree

Applicable experience of at least two years as a veterinarian, or training of at least one year in the specific field as an intern at a recognised training facility

An entrance examination may be required

Registration as a veterinarian with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) or authorisation by the SAVC to be enrolled for MMedVet studies

Additional requirements

The candidate will be required to work full-time at the faculty in the field of specialisation under supervision of an approved supervisor for the required duration.

Notification

While the MMedVet is an advanced professional programme equivalent to specialist certification, registration to practise as a specialist is controlled by the SAVC or international equivalent. These bodies may have additional requirements for registration that are not university requirements. Please check their requirements as well.

How long does it take to become a veterinarian in South Africa?

Duration of study

Veterinarians in South Africa typically study for a minimum of 6 years. Students of veterinary science are required to register with the SA Veterinary Council before the 1st of June of the year in which they first enrol for their studies.

What qualifications do you need to be a vet in South Africa ?

You’ll need to complete a veterinary degree approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Full-time veterinary degrees usually take 5 years. If you already have a degree in a related subject, you may be able to take a 4-year graduate entry veterinary degree course.

How much money does a vet get in South Africa?

The average salary for a Veterinarian in SA is R 467 571 gross per year (R 38 960 gross per month), which is 66% higher than the South Africa’s national average salary. Salary Range: a Veterinarian can expect an average starting salary of R 299 200. The highest salaries can exceed R 790 850.

Is veterinary a good career in South Africa?

Veterinarians on the South African scarce skills list. Veterinarians are listed on the scarce skills in South Africa. South Africa unfortunately doesn’t have enough of the right people. The South African government has highlighted veterinarians as a much needed skill in the country.

How do I become a vet in South Africa?

Required Qualification/s

In South Africa, you can only study a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), or you can opt for the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (BVetNurs) as a second option if you don’t make it in for veterinary science.

How many year does it take to become a veterinarian in South Africa ?

Aspiring vets can expect to devote about eight years to their higher education if they spend four years in college and four years in vet school earning a doctor of veterinary medicine, or D.V.M., degree.

Where do vets work in South Africa?

Qualified vets can work in the public sector as state veterinarians, in veterinary public health and food safety, in the import/export industry, in the SA National Defence Force or SAPS, or in diagnostic laboratories. Private vets can specialize in pets (companion animal practice), equines, livestock, poultry or game.

Where can I study animal health in South Africa?

SAVC approved Animal Health training is currently being presented by two institutions, namely North-West University (both a National Diploma and a BSc degree) and Unisa (National Diploma – busy working towards a BSc degree). These are the only SAVC recognized qualifications in South African.

How hard is it to become a vet in South Africa ?

Training to become a veterinarian takes almost as much time as becoming a human doctor, and it’s just as involved. You typically do four years of undergraduate and have to complete the prerequisites and required tests to get into veterinary school, which is another four years of school.

What does a veterinarian do South Africa?

Veterinarian. Veterinarians maintain the health and welfare of animals and treat sick or injured animals on an individual or herd basis.