List of Veterinary Schools in South Africa 2025-2026
Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all animal species, both domesticated and wild, with a wide range of conditions which can affect different species.
Requirements To Study Veterinary Courses In South Africa
Admission to the University of Pretoria is subject to the General
Regulations of the University.
In order to register for a first bachelor’s degree at the University, an applicant should have completed the National Senior Certificate (NSC), or equivalent qualification and meet the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree study.
Applicants must also comply with the particular subject and achievement level requirements as well as with the minimum Admission Point Score (APS) for the relevant programme.
The APS calculation is based on an applicant’s achievement in six 20-credit recognised subjects, by using the NSC ratings that is the “1 to 7 scale of achievement” as explained in the table.
Thus, the highest APS that can be achieved is 42.
Please note that Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject and is excluded from the calculation when determining the APS.
Grade 11 (or equivalent) results are used in the conditional admission selection process.
With selection into the programme being competitive, applicants generally need to exceed the minimum entry requirements to secure a place in the programme. Compliance with the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission to the degree.
In the case of school-leavers, the results in the final NSC, or equivalent qualification will be the determining factor with regard to final admission.
All modules will only be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria.
Important information on undergraduate programmes
The Faculty offers the following undergraduate programmes:
– Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc)
– Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing (BVetNurs)
Both undergraduate programmes in this Faculty include selection procedures, which are based on merit within different categories
The following persons may be considered for admission:
– applicants who are currently in their final school-year and have applied with their final results of the preceding year of schooling (Grade 11 or equivalent);
– applicants who have completed their final school-year, but have not yet commenced further studies;
– applicants who are in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement. This certificate must be certified by Universities South Africa (USAf);
– applicants who are currently enrolled for tertiary education;
– applicants who are graduates from another tertiary institution, or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution;
and
– applicants who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
The highest-ranking applicants are selected until the capacity is reached within each category.
Cost Of Studying Veterinary Course In South Africa
Below is the fees for studying veterinary courses at the University Of Pretoria
| Faculty of Veterinary Science | 1st year | 2nd year | 3rd year | 4th year | 5th year | 6th year |
| BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science – new curriculum) | 46 000 | 52 000 –60 000 | 50 000 | 63 000 | 59 000 | 50 000 |
| B Vet Nurse | 52 000 | 48 000 | 44 000 |
UP bursaries and loans
All students can register to be considered for discounts, bursaries, and other forms of funding and financial aid benefits. Registering on this database is not guarantee that you will receive funding assistance, but it will help us to find you, if there are suitable opportunities available. This database is open to all students regardless of household income, study programme of year of study.
Bursaries for Veterinary Science studies
1. Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)
Full bursaries covering tuition, accommodation and subsistence are available from the national department as well as from provincial departments of agriculture. These bursaries are advertised during the last few months of the year and allocations made at the end of the year for the subsequent academic year. They are all subject to a contract between the department and the recipient. Please contact www.daff.gov.za or go to www.up.ac.za/feesfunding
2. University of Pretoria (UP)
The Faculty receives an allocation for bursaries on an annual basis. These bursaries may be full or partial bursaries depending on the availability of funds. They are specifically aimed at assisting students with financial need. Click on www.up.ac.za/feesfunding under Fees and Funding – Undergraduate Funding – Funding: UP Managed Bursaries
tudents may apply for assistance from this source on an annual basis. Allocations are made to students with proven financial need according to accepted formulas. These allocations are initially in the form of loans but may be converted to partial or full bursaries under specific circumstances. See their website at www.nsfas.org.za or go to www.up.ac.za/feesfunding under Fees and Funding – Undergraduate Funding – Funding: Loans (NSFAS and other)
4. Miscellaneous
The Office of the Director: Teaching and Learning assists in the administration of a small number of bursaries sponsored by various trusts and wills, some directly and others in liaison with the bursary section of the University. The majority of these cover tuition fees either partially or in full.
5. SA Veterinary Foundation (SAVF)
The Foundation makes a small number of partial bursaries available on an annual basis. Go to http://www.savf.org.za/
6. Industry and private companies
Various companies are willing to sponsor veterinary students – details are available from the Client Service Centre (CSC) of the University of Pretoria (012) 420 3111
3. NSFAS
Veterinary Schools In South Africa
Below are the Veterinary Schools in South Africa;
What subjects do you need to become a veterinarian in South Africa?
What subjects do vet students study in first year?
- Academic and Information Management.
- General Chemistry.
- Language and Study Skills.
- Mathematics.
- Medical Terminology.
- Molecular and Cell Biology.
- Physics for Biology Students.
What subject are needed to become a vet?
Most applicants to veterinary school have a bachelor’s degree. Veterinary medical colleges typically require applicants to have taken many science classes, including biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, zoology, microbiology, and animal science.
How much does a veterinarian earn in South Africa?
The average salary for a Veterinarian is R 744 181 per year in South Africa.
How many years does it take to become a vet in South Africa?
Since 2011, students who are already enrolled in the programme will need 3 years to complete the BSc (Veterinary Biology) degree and another 4 years for the 4-year BVSc degree; a total of 7 years.
The Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree is a six-year course.
How much does it cost to become a veterinarian?
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree typically costs $28,000-$54,000 per year for in-state tuition and fees (resident rate) or $41,000-$66,000 per year (for four years) for out-of-state tuition and fees (non-resident rate). In general, tuition costs are higher for non-residents attending a state school.
Do vets get paid well?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that veterinarians earn a median salary of $88,770. The best-paid veterinarians earn $161,070, while the lowest-paid earned $52,470. Vets in their first year of practice can expect to earn a salary of approximately $60,000. … Large-animal exclusive vets started at $68,933.
What language is Veterinary Science presented in?
In first year, students can choose to study subjects in either English or Afrikaans. From second year onwards the subjects are all presented in English but most test papers are in English and Afrikaans.
Do vet students have to do a year of practical work similar to the Medical Students?
The sixth (final) year of the Veterinary Science course is spent working in a veterinary academic hospital doing clinical rotations.
Are veterinary students in South Africa required to do a compulsory year of community service after graduating?
Yes. New graduate veterinarians are required to do a compulsory year of community service before being able to register and practice as a veterinarian in South Africa.
