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Department of Veterinary Medicine

Cambridge Veterinary School
 

10-1a-vetschool.jpgWe run a series of events across the year specifically aimed at helping potential applicants make the best decision about their choice of vet school. Why not book a place and come and see us?

A good way to find out more about Cambridge and the Veterinary Medicine course is to come to and meet us at an open day or residential event. While we hope you find these events enjoyable, informative and helpful in making your decisions about vet school, do be aware that attending these events confers no advantage in the admissions process.

 

 

 

 

 

February: Annual Subject Masterclass in Veterinary Medicine - online - Tuesday 27 February 2024

10-4-ruini2.jpgMoving to February from 2024, Subject Masterclasses are a bit different from our other events. Although they do include elements covering teh application process, they are mainly subject-specific events that offer students a flavour of undergraduate study and an introduction to the University of Cambridge. Our Masterclasses are aimed at academically able students in Year 12 (or equivalent). The Masterclasses provide students with an opportunity to explore topics of interest beyond what's covered within the school curriculum and offer the chance to experience typical undergraduate teaching at Cambridge.

Each Masterclass includes:

  • the mian part: two taster sessions delivered by leading veterinary staff from the University - topics in recent years included canine neurology and equine cardiography
  • the opportunity to discuss and ask questions
  • an introduction to the Cambridge admissions process
  • the opportunity to hear about life as a Cambridge student from current undergraduates

See this link for more details.

 

 

April: 'VetCam' Residential: Introduction to Veterinary Science at Cambridge University - 8-10 April 2024

Book your place here: https://onlinesales.admin.cam.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/veterinary-medicine/vetcam/vetcam-2024

Each year we run our annual 'VetCam' residential course for year 11 and 12 students. VetCam is intended to provide a detailed insight into both the 'preclinical' and 'clinical' parts of the Cambridge veterinary course and will include a mixture of sessions with a chance to meet current students and staff. There will also be advice sessions about the application process.

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  • Welcome to the world of Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge.
  • What are the first two years like?
  • What special opportunities are there in the third year?
  • In-depth sessions with experts from the preclinical science departments.
  • Science into practice in years 4-6 - introducing the hospital.
  • An introduction to professional practice.
  • Cambridge myths and opportunities - session run by current students.
  • The admissions process - from an admissions tutor.
  • The admissions process and the Cambridge colleges - from current students.
  • Question and answer session, with current staff, an admissions tutor, and students.

Many of our current students have told us how useful they found VetCam in making their vet school choices. Do bear in mind when applying that our typical conditional offer for a place on the veterinary course at Cambridge is A*AA, including Chemistry and at least one, but preferably two, other science/maths subjects.

A *typical* timetable for the event is available here.

"Taking part in VetCam was an integral part of my application, as it not only confirmed that Veterinary Medicine was what I wanted to pursue, but also that Cambridge was the place for me to be. The lectures, lecturers and town just fitted me so well; we had lectures all over the vet departments on subjects ranging from the Galapagos islands to the basics of parasitology to a physiology practical. Staying in college was a really lovely way to get a feel for life there, and having a 'formal' dinner was a fantastic taste of the fun unique aspects of Cambridge life. The other students I met on VetCam had similar aspirations to me so I knew I would fit in here for the next six years."

 

 

May: 'Life as a Cambridge Vet Student' Webinar - online only, 18 May 2023, 5-7pm - a similar event will run in 2024.

All are welcome, but this event is aimed at those who are unable to attend any of our in-person vet events. This webinar takes place between 5 and 7pm to give as many potential applicants as possible a chance to attend.

Largely run by our current students, it is intended to give you a sense of what it's actually like to be a Cambridge vet student - what it was like applying, what a preclinical student does day-to-day, what a clinical student does, how they deal with the workload, how they arrange extramural studies, and what our students do when they're not working. There will also be lecturers and admissions tutors available to answer your questions, too.

Attendee numbers are unlimited.

 

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July: Vet School / University Open Days - in-person (and online), 4 and 5 July 2024

On these two days, the University runs its main open days, during which attendees can visit university departments as well as colleges, and also attend talks giving advice about student life, finance, and how to apply. There are also sessions targeted at parents and supporters.

The Vet School will be running tours, talks and chats with current students on these days on its main site at West Cambridge - please note that as the Vet School is a busy hospital, you need to book separately for:

  • the main Cambridge open day
  • student tours of the vet school (for prospective applicants only) - booking details will later be sent alongside the open day programme to everyone who has signed up for the main open day
  • talks at the Vet School for prospective applicants only - at 12.30 on each day
  • talks at the Vet School for parents/families/supporters - at 12.30 on each day

 

 

August: Sutton Trust Summer School - week of 5 August 2024

We run a week-long veterinary Sutton Trust Summer School to encourage widening participation in our veterinary course - see this link. Also see this video about the Cambridge Summer Schools - the vet bit starts at 1:50!

 

 

September: Vet School / Fitzwilliam College Joint In-Person Open Day - Friday 30 August 2024 - booking link will appear here

10-3-fitz-2.jpgThis day is especially useful for potential applicants who have not yet finalised their choice of vet school, or who simply want to know more about both Veterinary Medicine and college life at Cambridge before submitting their UCAS application in October.

In order also to give an insight into Cambridge college life, this open day is run in conjunction with Fitzwilliam College, conveniently located within walking distance of the Vet School. In the morning there will be talks at the College about undergraduate life and the early parts of the course, as well as a sample teaching session with current pre-clinical students, and lunch in the College Hall. In the afternoon there will be tours of the Vet School, a chance to meet current clinical students, and information about the later parts of the course and the application process.

Due to limited space in lecture theatres, we must unfortunately restrict parts of this event to potential applicants, rather than parents and supporters.

 

 

September: Cambridge University Open Day - Friday 15 September 2023, includes Veterinary Medicine talk and Q&A - a similar event will run in 2024

On these two days, the University runs general open days, during which attendees can visit the University as a whole, as well as colleges, and also attend talks giving advice about student life, finance, and how to apply. There are also sessions targeted at parents and supporters. In the afternoon, there is a specific Vet Medicine talk and Q&A. 

 

 

Online resources

A general introduction to the Cambridge Vet Course - click here, and here

For a more detailed explanation of why this might be the vet course for you, what's in the course, and how you apply, click here.

Also, you may find the following videos useful:

  • a sample lecture - click here
  • guidance for parents and supporters of prospective applicants - click here
  • being a Cambridge vet, in sixty seconds - click here

Other links you may find useful, created by Cambridge colleges or students (in no particular order):

  • vet med as a mature student - click here
  • the first week, and a day in the life of a Cambridge vet med student - click here and here
  • first year med and vet med at Cambridge - click here
  • mainly snorty pugs - click here

 

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