We use cookies on our website. To learn more about the cookies we use, please see our cookie policy. You can manage cookies via your browser settings. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Accept and Close.
Veterinary Biosciences is a course dedicated to the biology underpinning veterinary medicine. You will explore the biology of farm animals, horses, and companion animals. This degree programme will also provide a suitable pathway to a veterinary medicine course, with other exciting career options including veterinary laboratory diagnostician, nutritionist or animal health researcher.
If you have any questions about this scheme please contact the scheme coordinator: Dr. Iain Chalmers (iwc@aber.ac.uk)
Student Satisfaction and Employability Results
100% of our D906 Veterinary Biosciences students agreed that they were able to access course-specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software, collections) when they needed to (NSS 2020).
95% of students agreed that staff are good at explaining things (NSS 2020).
98% of our graduates were in work or further study within 6 months, 3% more than Biological Science graduates nationally, (HESA 2018*)
Overview
Why study Veterinary Biosciences at Aberystwyth University?
You will?be taught and mentored by veterinary surgeons and world-class veterinary scientists.
Our collaboration with the Wales Veterinary Science Centre and other organisations allows you to understand the wider veterinary field.
The University has over 100ha of farmland, including lowland and upland sheep farms, a 500 cow dairy herd, intensive and extensive beef production systems, an equine centre.
All students have access to our fantastic modern laboratories, dissection rooms and microscopy suites on campus.
This degree is very much 'hands on' with practicals involving molecular, cellular, anatomical and behavioural aspects of veterinary health.
Learn and Live in an exceptional environment where you will have marine, moorland, mountain, grassland and coast right on your doorstep.
International Opportunities
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not take the chance to study abroad during your degree? We have exchange agreements with universities in Europe, USA, Canada, and elsewhere, so you can apply to spend all or part of your 2nd year studying veterinary biosciences overseas. You’ll miss Aberystwyth, but you’ll love the new perspectives?that international study can bring!
Want to study in Welsh?
Students can elect to study a number of IBERS modules in the medium of Welsh. Check out the module tab for more information!
Our Staff
The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.
Modules
Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.
* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh
Employability
Employability is embedded across all of our teaching at Aberystwyth University.
In a growing market where graduates with skills and specialist knowledge in the Veterinary Biosciences area, our graduates seek employment in the following:
veterinary research
charity advocacy (e.g. RSCPA)
research in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industry
teaching
civil service.
Many students have processed to further training in:
veterinary Medicine training
postgraduate research (PhD, MRes, PGCE).
What work opportunities could I participate in whilst studying?
Our Year in Employment Scheme (YES) has permitted our students to obtain exciting and rewarding placements with number of employers including Queenholme Equestrian and Chester Zoo.?
Click here to find out about the various opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.
Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department.?
Learning & Teaching
What will I learn?
The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three year degree scheme.
In the first year you will explore:
comparative anatomy and physiology of domestic animals
how to prepare essays, reports and presentations
molecular laboratory skills
animal handling
genetics and related diseases
microbiology
biochemistry of life
diagnostic techniques in the veterinary practice and laboratory.
In the second year you will discover:
domestic animal nutrition including specialisation in livestock, equine or companion animal
treatment and diseases of cat, dog and exotic pets
reproductive physiology
the immune system
You will also choose from a range of optional modules covering microbiology, anatomy, livestock production and other relevant subject areas.
In the third year you will study:
research dissertation
animal behaviour and welfare
veterinary pharmacology
veterinary infectious diseases.
You will also choose from a range of optional modules covering behaviour, equine management and other relevant subject areas and will undertake a compulsory dissertation.
Among many skills, you will learn to: synthesize information from scientific literature; understand and explain the implications of technological developments in animal science; scrutinise data in terms of quality and quantity; and respond to new data through laboratory investigation.
How will I be taught?
We teach our students through lectures, workshops, tutorials and practicals.
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries.
