Undergraduate · Cambridge Veterinary Medicine
Cambridge's Veterinary Medicine course is a six-year professional degree. It asks for Chemistry in the offer, an ESAT with Mathematics 1 and two further modules, some animal experience and interviews, and it sits on an accreditation position that Cambridge says will be decided after an RCVS visit in October 2026. Choosing it is therefore a different decision from choosing a biological science. Everything cycle-specific here was last verified for 2027 entry, and nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
Taken from Cambridge's Veterinary Medicine course page, the Department of Veterinary Medicine's application pages and the shared programme-fact record last verified on 19 October 2026, with the accreditation position re-read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement and date below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change.
For 2027 entry or deferred 2028 entry the minimum offer is A*AA, and the typical conditional offer is A*AA, one of which must be Chemistry. The IB requirement is 41 to 42 points with 776 at Higher Level. Applicants cannot apply if they will not be 18 on 1 March of year 1 of the course, or if they have failed or been excluded from another veterinary school.
You need A levels or IB Higher Levels in Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics. The Vet School says Biology, Physics and Mathematics are considered equally and Biology is not required. Psychology is not counted as an enabling science subject, and Further Mathematics may act as an enabling subject, which you should check with the Colleges.
All applicants take the ESAT at an authorised assessment centre, registered in advance: Mathematics 1 is compulsory, plus two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2, 120 minutes in total. The Vet School says to pick whichever sections you prefer. The 2027-entry sitting was in October 2026 and has passed; 2028-entry dates are to be confirmed.
In the Vet School's description, most applicants are interviewed, usually in early December, and some Colleges interview online while others interview in person; two interviews on the same day is common. Applicants will not usually be asked to submit examples of written work.
The course lasts six years: veterinary science foundations in years 1 to 3, then clinical study in years 4 to 6. Cambridge recommends at least two weeks of experience, and the Vet School suggests a cumulative 10 to 12 working days with animals, but says it has no absolute requirement.
Official sources
Last verified 19 October 2026 on Cambridge's Veterinary Medicine course page and the Department of Veterinary Medicine's application pages. The accreditation position was re-read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's course page and the RCVS accreditation table. 2028-entry ESAT dates are unpublished and the accreditation decision has not been made, so neither is stated as an outcome.
The course
Cambridge describes the course as lasting six years. For the first three years students focus on the scientific principles underlying veterinary medicine, and those who complete them graduate with a BA. For the last three years they apply that knowledge in clinical scenarios and practice, including a year spent mainly on clinical work, and graduate with the VetMB as well. Cambridge says its Department of Veterinary Medicine has an international reputation, and that the course equips students for a wide range of veterinary-related careers. The length and the professional destination are what set it apart.
Choosing between courses
A student who loves animals and biology may be choosing between a veterinary degree and a science degree that does not lead to practice. The Vet School's own rules show how different the two are.
your goal is to practise as a vet, you are ready for a six-year professional course, and you are prepared for Chemistry, the ESAT and a demanding period of animal experience.
your interest is the science, the research or a broader range of careers, and you want a degree that does not depend on professional accreditation. Cambridge's Natural Sciences course, for example, is a separate course with its own rules.
Cambridge Medicine is a different course with its own requirements and its own admissions test. Do not carry rules across between Veterinary Medicine and Medicine.
Reading the offer
The minimum offer is A*AA and Chemistry must be one of the subjects. The second science is a choice among Biology, Mathematics and Physics, and the Vet School says it considers them equally, so Biology is not required. If you plan to offer Psychology as an enabling science subject, Cambridge's Vet School says it does not count. The Colleges usually set the minimum offer, but may ask for more, and some make IB offers above the minimum, so check your own Colleges rather than relying on a single figure. The Vet School also says the choice of College does not affect your chance of a place.
The ESAT and the interview
The ESAT is compulsory for all applicants. Mathematics 1 is required, and you choose two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2. The Vet School advises reviewing the sample papers and trying one paper under timed conditions. If you are shortlisted, interviews are usually in early December. The Vet School says it looks for commitment to a veterinary or veterinary-related career, problem-solving, an aptitude for discussing scientific and mathematical ideas, enthusiasm for discussing cases you have seen and keenness to discuss issues from wider reading. It says interviews are kept as informal as possible, and advises briefly revising school maths and science and re-reading your personal statement.
Experience and accreditation
Cambridge recommends at least two weeks of experience, in clinical shadowing or any commercial or charity animal setting. The Vet School suggests around 10 to 12 working days in total, says there is no absolute requirement and that prolonged or impressive experience confers no advantage. On accreditation, Cambridge says the course currently has conditional accreditation with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and that it expects the RCVS to reach a decision following a visit in October 2026. Cambridge's page and the RCVS accreditation table, both read on 31 October 2026, show the same position. Cambridge says that if accreditation were terminated or revoked, the course would not enrol new entrants in October 2027 and applicants would be told quickly. This guide predicts no outcome. If your application is for 2028 entry, check the position on both pages before you apply.
A decision framework
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
The course is the route to professional practice. If your interest is animal science or research, say so to yourself honestly before you apply.
Chemistry is in the offer and the ESAT will test your science and mathematics. Check your strengths early.
Cambridge describes the position openly. It is reasonable to read both pages and decide how comfortable you are before applying.
Planning for 2028 entry
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Check Cambridge's pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear. Veterinary Medicine is excluded from Cambridge's January mature-student round.
Read the RCVS table and Cambridge's course page again before you apply.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its Colleges or departments. For this course it is limited to degree-fit conversations, subject mentoring in the sciences and ESAT preparation. The Vet School says paid commercial interview training is of no help and can mislead, so Avandy does not offer interview coaching for this course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
A*AA at A level with Chemistry in the offer, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. This is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry or deferred 2028 entry.
No. You need Chemistry and at least one of Biology, Mathematics or Physics, and the Vet School considers them equally.
Mathematics 1 is compulsory, plus two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2, in 120 minutes in total.
Cambridge recommends at least two weeks and the Vet School suggests a cumulative 10 to 12 working days. It says there is no absolute requirement.
Cambridge and the RCVS table, read on 31 October 2026, both show conditional accreditation, with a decision expected after an RCVS visit in October 2026. Check both pages before you apply.
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Chemistry and other science subjects, their veterinary experience and the ESAT, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.
