Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)
University of Pretoria - Faculty of Veterinary Science
Key Information
Campus location
Pretoria, South Africa
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
6 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)
The BVSc program is accredited with theSouth African Veterinary Council (SAVC), theVeterinary Council of Namibia (VCN), theRoyal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)in the United Kingdom, and theAustralasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)in Australia and New Zealand. BVSc graduates are eligible to register as veterinarians in these and several other countries without passing any further professional examinations. TheSAVCgoverns the ethics and standards of veterinary education and practice in South Africa. All students must register with the Council at first registration in the BVSc program, maintain their registration annually, and adhere to its rules. Registration with the SAVC is a prerequisite for practising as a veterinarian in South Africa.
For a young person who likes working with people, and who is interested in animals and a career in biomedical sciences, veterinary science provides a spectrum of wonderful opportunities. Like many similar career options, veterinary science may perhaps be considered a ‘calling’ and the decision to become a veterinarian involves the mind, the body, as well as the heart. While a love for animals may be a component of the decision to pursue veterinary science or veterinary nursing as a career, a deeper empathy will be required, as well as the passion to improve people’s lives by improving food safety and security, coupled with a sense of compassion and caring for animals, their owners and farmers. The course is demanding and requires significant mental and emotional resilience, engagement, dedication and hard work.
While love for animals may be a component of the decision to pursue veterinary science or veterinary nursing as a career, a more profound empathy will be required, as well as the passion for improving people’s lives by improving food safety and security, coupled with a sense of compassion and caring for animals, their owners and farmers. The course is demanding and requires significant mental and emotional resilience, engagement, dedication and hard work.
Being a veterinarian or a veterinary nurse are both careers with long and often irregular hours, and usually involve hard physical work, while testing tolerance levels. The ability to work with animals, but even more so with people, is essential.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The National Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform (DARDLR)employs all South African BVSc graduates for 12 months’Compulsory Community Service (CCS)following completion of the BVSc program, and before graduates are allowed to practice as veterinarians in South Africa for any other employer including self-employment.
- State veterinary services
- Private practice
- Research
- Academia
- Private, state and provincial diagnostic laboratories
- Veterinary public health
- Commerce
- Consultancy
- Laboratory animal science
- Wildlife management
- Poultry production
- Animal welfare
- International employment