Veterinary Medicine DVetMed/DVetSurg
- Full-time: Up to 4 years
- Part-time: Up to 8 years
- Start date: Multiple available
- UK fees: £5,350
- International fees: Up to £44,000 per year
Research overview
Develop your skills and understanding of the latest veterinary research.
We are committed to addressing the key challenges of our age through research that has an impact. Our research spans across species, improving the health and welfare of animals. From reducing lameness in sheep using technology, understanding cancer, cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, to how viruses and bacteria work, so we can better understand and treat them.
Our expertise are made up of research groups and specialist research centres, including:
The School of Veterinary Medicine part of Unit of Assessment (UoA6 Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Science) has improved their position in the upper half of the UoA and seen a significant increase in the proportion of outputs assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ from those submitted to REF2014. The Unit’s research environment is also recognised as being 75% ‘world-leading’ and 25% ‘internationally excellent’. Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
Course content
On this course you'll study a taught masters module for one year, plus one or more major research projects over a minimum of two years.
You'll learn about research methods, critical appraisal of literature and research planning. In addition, you are required to submit a research thesis on your chosen project(s).
Assessments
To successfully complete this course you'll need to:
- pass at 50% or above in 120 credits of taught modules (normally during the first two years of the course for full-time students)
- submit and pass a research portfolio (60 credits), comprising a minimum of 20 assets, evidencing research methods training
- produce a critical appraisal of literature (30 credits) in an aspect of clinical research related to your research topic. The critical review will be between 8,000-10,000 words
- develop a research plan (30 credits) involving appropriate project planning, evaluation criteria and assessment methods. The project plan will be between 6,000-8,000 words
- submit a thesis of between 50,000 and 60,000 words
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
| Degree | A veterinary degree from a UK university, or EAEVE accredited EU university. You must also be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Prospective graduates will be considered, but you must have your RCVS membership number to apply. |
| Degree | A veterinary degree from a UK university, or EAEVE accredited EU university. You must also be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Non-EU graduates who are RCVS members may be considered but will be subject to higher tuition fees which may not be covered by any award.
Prospective graduates will be considered, but you must have your RCVS membership number to apply. |
| International and EU equivalents | We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world. For information on entry requirements from your country, see our country pages. |
| IELTS | Clinical projects 7.5 (7.0 in each element). Science projects 6.5 (6.0 in each element) |
| English language requirements | As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. |
Meeting our English language requirements
If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.
For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance.
Visa restrictions
International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.
We recognise that applicants have a variety of experiences and follow different pathways to postgraduate study.
We treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis. We may also consider relevant work experience.
If you are unsure whether your qualifications or work experience are relevant, contact us.
Applying
Our DVetMed/DVetSurg courses are flexible. You can choose to start on:
- 1 October
- 1 December
- 1 February
- 1 April
- 1 July
We encourage you to contact a member of academic staff about your research proposal before applying. They may be able to help you with your proposal and offer support to find funding opportunities in your area.
Details of research supervisors at the University can be found on our research A to Z.
Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.
How to applyFees
| Home / UK | £5,350 |
| International | £28,200 for low-cost, £32,400 for lab-based, £38,400 for high-cost lab-based or £44,000 for exceptional technically intensive or specialised projects with high consumable costs. For details, contact veterinary-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk. |
Additional information for international students
If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).
These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).
Additional costs
All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.
You should factor into your budget some potential additional costs, such as living expenses in the UK.
You'll need to pay for your membership to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
Additional costs relating to your research project will vary depending on the type of project decide on. For example, laboratory costs, basic veterinary equipment, insurance or CPD expenses if these are not covered by your project budget or funding.
You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.
Funding
There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.
Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.
Postgraduate fundingSupport
You will carry out your research under the supervision of one primary, and one secondary supervisor from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science. Both will be academic members of staff in the school and will have university training on the responsibilities associated with being a postgraduate supervisor.
You may also have additional supervisors from specialist research facilities, other Universities, research institutes or from industry.
Researcher training and development
The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.
Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.
Graduate centres
Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.
Each space has areas for:
- studying
- socialising
- computer work
- seminars
- kitchen facilities
Student support
You will have access to a range of support services, including:
- academic and disability support
- childcare services
- counselling service
- faith support
- financial support
- mental health and wellbeing support
- visa and immigration advice
- welfare support
Students' Union
Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.
There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:
- international students
- black and minority ethnic students
- students who identify as women
- students with disabilities
- LGBT+ students
SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.
Where you will learn
Purpose-built veterinary facilities
Where you will learn
Specialist veterinary research facilities
Our research facilities are modern and purpose-built. We have specialist research labs for:
- ribonucleic acid (RNA)
- protein
- flow-cytometry
- biological level 2 and 3 organisms
- anaerobic organisms
- histology and pathology
Where you will learn
Purpose-built veterinary facilities
Where you will learn
Specialist veterinary research facilities
Our research facilities are modern and purpose-built. We have specialist research labs for:
- ribonucleic acid (RNA)
- protein
- flow-cytometry
- biological level 2 and 3 organisms
- anaerobic organisms
- histology and pathology
Where you will learn
Purpose-built veterinary facilities
Research Excellence Framework
The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.
- The School of Veterinary Medicine part of Unit of Assessment (UoA6 Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Science) has improved their position in the upper half of the UoA and seen a significant increase in the proportion of outputs assessed as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ from those submitted to REF2014. The Unit’s research environment is also recognised as being 75% ‘world-leading’ and 25% ‘internationally excellent’. Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
- 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
- 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
- 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**
*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.
This content was last updated on 19 September 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.