The role of a vet is wide-ranging and highly skilled. We take a look at how to become a vet.

Vets, or veterinary surgeons examine, diagnose and treat injured and sick animals. The animals can be domestic, livestock, horses or zoo animals. Vets have to also communicate with animal owners and will discuss things like nutrition with them amongst other things.

Vets don’t only diagnose and treat animals. They also help to manage outbreaks of disease, which can affect both humans and animals.

The job that a vet does is very broad and so is the study which includes: epidemiology, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacology and physiology. To work as a vet, you must hold a degree in veterinary science and be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Some veterinary degree courses are accredited or approved by the RCVS. It’s worth looking for this when searching for a university course.

Entry requirements for each university will be different but generally you will need A-level biology and a second science, such as chemistry. Most universities ask for ABB, although some require AAA and some ask for a good GCSE grade in physics if you haven’t studied it at A-level.

Some universities accept vocational qualifications, such as applied science or animal management and will normally ask that you achieve distinction in this.

In addition to the rigorous academic study that you will do if you train as a vet, you will also need to get lots of experience in the field and the following skills will be needed:

• Problem solving
• Communication
• Practical ability
• Patience
• Resilience

Job prospects and earnings

Between now and 2024 the job opportunities for veterinarians are expected to grow by nine per cent. There is also expected to be a 31 per cent increase in opportunities created by people retiring from the profession.

The average UK starting salary for a vet is around £30,000 a year. You can expect to work unsociable hours and weekends where needed, if you are on call.