Top universities for veterinary science | Top Universities
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Top universities for veterinary science

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Holly Hemmings

Updated Sep 04, 2024
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The recently released QS World University Rankings by Subject features the top higher education institutions to study veterinary science degrees.

The subject rankings are based on four indicators: academic and employer reputation, citations per paper and H-index citations (a way of measuring the productivity and published work of a scientist or scholar). You can find more details about the methodology behind the subject rankings here

Read on as we discover the best veterinary science schools in each region. Alternatively, if you would like to explore the full list of veterinary science schools in more detail, click here.

Country Rank
Global Rank
University
Location
1

Country Rank

1

Global Rank

London, United Kingdom
2

Country Rank

2

Global Rank

Davis, United States
3

Country Rank

3

Global Rank

Cornell UniversityIthaca, United States
Ithaca, United States
4

Country Rank

4

Global Rank

Bern, Switzerland
5

Country Rank

5

Global Rank

Utrecht UniversityUtrecht, Netherlands
Utrecht, Netherlands
6

Country Rank

6

Global Rank

University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, United States
Philadelphia, United States
7

Country Rank

7

Global Rank

Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, United States
College Station, United States
8

Country Rank

8

Global Rank

University of GuelphGuelph, Canada
Guelph, Canada
9

Country Rank

9

Global Rank

The University of EdinburghEdinburgh, United Kingdom
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
10

Country Rank

10

Global Rank

Colorado State UniversityFort Collins, United States
Fort Collins, United States

Top universities for veterinary science in the US and Canada 

There are nearly 30 veterinary science universities in North America this year: the majority of which are located in the United States and the rest in Canada

In the US, the University of California Davis (UCD) has shaped the field of veterinary medicine, developing veterinary treatments and making key discoveries related to animal, human and environmental health. The school is investing US$500million in its new UC Davis veterinary medical centre. 

Canada’s University of Guelph earns a near-perfect score for H-index citations. Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary School conduct research to improve health and wellbeing of animals, people and ecosystems. Their research focuses on a wide range of topics from cancer biology to infectious diseases to reproductive biology. 

Canada’s other universities include Université de Montréal, University of CalgaryUniversity of Alberta, University of Prince Edward Island and University of Saskatchewan.

Top universities for veterinary science in Europe 

Many of Europe’s best veterinary schools are found in the United Kingdom, including Royal Veterinary College, University of London: the largest and oldest established veterinary school in the English-speaking world, which earns an impressive score for academic reputation this year. 

Other UK universities performing well this year are The University of Bristol, The University of Cambridge and The University of Liverpool.

Italy's universities in the rankings this year include University of Pisa and University of Milan

The Netherlands, Germany, and Spain each have multiple representatives in this year’s veterinary school rankings. The Netherlands’ Utrecht University and Wageningen University and Research perform notably well.

Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, Finland, Austria, and Denmark all are featured in the rankings this year. Switzerland’s Vetsuisse Faculty Bern and Zurich and Denmark’s University of Copenhagen are both top institutions worth considering.

Top universities for veterinary science in Australia and New Zealand 

The University of Sydney is one of the leading places to study veterinary science in Australia. Other notable universities include The University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland, Murdoch University and The University of Adelaide.

New Zealand's Massey University earns a high score in the employer reputation and the citations per paper indicators, reflecting the quality of the research produced by the institution's faculty. 

Top universities for veterinary science in Latin America 

Brazil’s Universidade de São Paulo scored highly for employer reputation this year, suggesting that a degree in veterinary sciences from this university is highly valued and increases a student’s employability. 

Other top schools within Latin America include Brazil’s UNESP and Mexico’s Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México.

Top universities for veterinary science in Asia 

Japan’s The University of Tokyo offers veterinary medicine courses which cover a wide range of life sciences including medicine for animals and biology of mammals and higher vertebrates.

Other veterinary science universities in Asia include Malaysia’s Universiti Putra Malaysia and South Korea’s Seoul National University.

For more information on veterinary science, visit our subject guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Veterinary science degrees look at animal health. It allows students to study some animal biology and gives them information on all health topics from preventative health practices to the medicating of different animals and surgical procedures.

In order to become a veterinarian, a veterinary science degree is a necessary step. You will need to complete a degree from an approved veterinary college and, after completing your studies, apply to your country's official register of veterinary professionals so that you can begin practicing professionally as a veterinarian, veterinary nurse or veterinary surgeon. In the UK, the official register is the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).

Experience working or volunteering with animals is also a great step. The experience will increase your employability.

Courses vary from country to country but in the UK veterinary science degrees take five years to complete.

Veterinary science can be a very good career path depending on the country that you work in. It is generally a competitive field, but jobs are generally stable and well-paying.

According to the Prospects website, starting salaries for a veterinary surgeon in the UK are just over £30,000, can often rise to £40,000-£70,000 and can go up to £92,000 depending on experience and specialisation.

No. The practical elements and lab time in a veterinary science degree are very important and to achieve the best education and information possible, it is important that a student is able to get hands-on experience and interaction with their tutors.