Veterinary students learn about animal welfare; how to recognize, prevent and control animal diseases; livestock welfare and productivity; and how to care for and treat healthy and sick animals.
At a time when human degradation of the environment means we are encroaching more and more into once wild areas, more zoonotic diseases – viruses and bacteria jumping from animals to humans, as may have been the case with Covid -19 – are expected. Already, free-range chickens are being moved indoors to minimize their risk of bird flu. Veterinarians play a key role in preventing disease transmission from animals to humans.
Where do vets study?
Short answer: UCD. That’s it. UCD’s Level Eight five-year course (course code DN300) is the only place to train as a veterinarian in Ireland.
But the points are high and some applicants will inevitably be disappointed, so it is definitely worth taking a look at some of the veterinary medicine courses available at European universities: lower entry requirements, high quality courses provided in English and, in some cases, lower fees. . You will find the details of these courses and can apply on Eunicas.com.
That said, it’s also worth bearing in mind that the UCD degree is particularly well regarded internationally: in addition to being accredited by the Veterinary Council of Ireland and the European Association of Educational Institutions veterinarian, it is one of the six accredited European veterinary schools. by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
What is in the UCD veterinary medicine course?
Modules in this course include Normal Animal Structure and Function, Animal Husbandry and Welfare, Veterinary Public Health, Pathobiological Sciences, Herd Health and Population Medicine, Surgery and Professionalism .
In the fifth and final year, students participate in clinical rotations at UCD Veterinary Hospital.
What about veterinary care?
Three-year Level Seven Veterinary Nursing courses are available at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Letterkenny Campus, Shannon Technological University (TUS) Athlone Campus and Dundalk IT.
Although they are different courses, some of the modules available include Anatomy and Physiology, Husbandry, Surgical Nursing, Anesthesia, and Diagnostic Imaging.
UCD, on the other hand, runs a four-year level eight veterinary nursing course.
Graduates will be equipped to work as veterinary nurses in clinical practice or to pursue careers in areas such as pharmaceuticals, food and medical surgeries, animal nutrition, practice management, and animal welfare.
Are there other courses that focus on veterinary health?
Yes. TUS offers a four-year Level Eight course in Bioveterinary Science at its Athlone campus, focusing on the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment. . Graduates go on to work in roles such as veterinary diagnostics and pharmaceutical research, hospital and forensic laboratory work, and veterinary, medical and nutritional sales
Munster University of Technology (MTU) offers a three-year Level Seven Animal Biosciences program at its Tralee campus.
The course focuses on animal health, disease and diagnostics, supported by hands-on hands-on experience. Graduates will be equipped for roles as animal health researchers, herd health advisors, pharmaceutical drug and vaccine developers, and clinical practice managers.
Qualified MTU graduates can also progress to a fourth year to obtain a level eight qualification, BSc in Veterinary Biosciences.
Applicants may also be qualified to proceed to UCD’s Graduate Entrance Veterinary Medicine course or a number of postgraduate courses.
What about other paths to becoming a veterinarian?
In addition to the opportunity to study abroad, UCD offers a graduate entry course, allowing qualified graduates with prior knowledge of biological, biomedical or animal sciences to enter a four-year training program to work as a veterinarian.
How much do veterinarians earn?
Less than you might expect. According to gradireland.com, newly qualified vets will typically start with €35,000 per year, more experienced vets between €50-60,000, rising to upwards of €100,000 for very experienced vets.
Where do vets work?
It sounds like an obvious question with an obvious answer: veterinarians work in veterinary practices, where people bring their sick cats, dogs, rabbits and other pets. To the right?
Well, yes, but that’s just one path for veterinary graduates today.
Employers will generally value the research, analysis, problem-solving and critical thinking skills of veterinary medicine and nursing graduates, opening up opportunities in areas such as management, so graduates can also expect to work in farm animal or equine practice, medical regulation and teaching, as well as public or private sector research careers, including animal science and the animal health industry.
What do CAD points look like?
In 2021, students needed 601 points to access the UCD course, with approximately 82 students accepted. Applicants must also have at least an H5 in Chemistry and an 06 or H7 in English, Irish, Maths, a third language and another recognized subject.
TUS level eight diploma applicants needed 338 points in 2021 and MTU animal bioscience course applicants needed 234 points. Veterinary nurse candidates needed 234 points for MTU, 389 points for ATU, 451 points for Dundalk IT and 521 points for UCD.
