Course content

This new undergraduate degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVetMS) provides the opportunity for a contemporary and exciting curriculum, meeting the RCVS Day One Competences and also developing a wider range of professional attributes.

Students will study a five-year programme leading to a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree.

During their studies students will be able to benefit from Harper’s long standing reputation in animal sciences and access to Harper’s farm and companion animal facilities, alongside Keele’s experience of establishing a leading UK medical school and significant recent investment in facilities such as state-of-the-art teaching laboratories.

The course is a highly practical and clinically-focused programme from year one. A contemporary ‘spiral’ curriculum design enables students to study the key concepts in relevant clinical context from the outset. These are revisited in subsequent years with increasing complexity drawing on input from researchers, clinical specialists and industry colleagues from our extensive network.

The clinical rotations will follow a distributed model of delivery through authentic workplace-based placements hosted by our veterinary practice partners. This affords a highly student-centred and individualised final year in a range of relevant settings that will prepare new graduates for a smooth transition to professional life.

Veterinary programmes are intensive for students, who can expect around 28 hours per week of contact time.

Students also need to complete extra mural studies, an RCVS requirement that augments their practical experience, and so the total study year ranges from 35-45 weeks a year across the five year programme.

Due to the vocational nature and focus of the programme, all modules have been created exclusively for it:

• Extensive use is made of the farm and companion animals on site at Harper Adams as well as state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and clinical skills resources at both Harper and Keele
• Small group teaching facilitates the development of confidence in practical skills
• The curriculum will incorporate case studies from early in the first year
• Teaching is led and coordinated by experienced educators including scientists, veterinary surgeons and other professionals. Throughout the programme keynote lectures, tutorials and practical classes are also delivered through contributions from many subject matter experts, practising vets and clinical specialists.
• Clinical teaching takes place not only in a hospital setting with the unusual or more complex cases, but also in practices where management of the everyday case is the primary focus.

How will the teaching be delivered?

Students spend full days on either campus, mostly at their 'host' site, with travel days to the other site limited to the need to access specialist facilities, typically in the region of four days a month. The final year will be mostly spent on clinical rotations, with individual days or weeks back at the host site for tutorials.

Extra-mural studies (EMS) are taken throughout the veterinary degree and help to prepare students for life in the clinical and related environments. They are an essential part of veterinary education and are student led.

EMS can take place anywhere in the country, whereas final year Veterinary School managed clinical rotations will predominantly take place within easy travelling distance from either host site.

Harper Adams University and Keele University are 23 miles and 50 minutes apart by road. A shuttle bus service is provided for Vet School students allowing them to travel free of charge and safely between the two institutions in order to access timetabled classes.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

Unfortunately this course is not open to international applicants who require a tier 4 visa to study in the UK.

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

Combining the extensive resources of Harper Adams University and Keele University, the new Veterinary School is uniquely structured and will help students to graduate with the required skills to be immediately effective first opinion practitioners in the rapidly changing modern veterinary and animal welfare industries.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.