The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (MVB) programme will provide students with focused scientific, clinical and professional training in the practice of veterinary medicine.
Three phases
This five-year programme will consist of three phases- pre-clinical, clinical and professional. The pre-clinical and clinical phases, will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the relevant, underpinning scientific and clinical concepts and related industry context via a Scaffolded Active Learning style curriculum, to motivate students to learn in an active, collaborative manner. The final professional phase of the MVB programme employs a fully distributed model of clinical education.
Unique feature
The fully distributed model of clinical education is a unique feature of the SETU veterinary programme. This phase consists of entirely workplace-based learning during clinical rotations focused on the core areas of veterinary practice within SETU’s Veterinary Distributed Clinical network. Partner practices within the distributed clinical network are undergoing thorough suitability assessments and training to ensure quality and consistency in the training provided.
Kildalton College
Students will have access to a wide range of animal handling and husbandry facilities at Teagasc Kildalton Agricultural College. Animal biology and anatomy classes will also take place in Kildalton. A free bus service operates between SETU Cork Road Campus and Teagasc Kildalton.
Leaving Cert Entry Requirements
Two subjects: H5 Four subjects: O6/H7 English or Irish: O6/H7 Mathematics: O6/H7 Science: H5 in at least two of the laboratory subjects listed below
A laboratory science subject (biology, physics, chemistry, physics and chemistry (joint) or agricultural science)
Three other subjects (may include Irish or English and a laboratory science subject not included already) or have equivalent second level educational qualifications to the foregoing.
The minimum educational requirements may be accumulated over not more than two sittings of the Leaving Certificate examination or an equivalent examination.
*Please note entry requirements are subject to change.
**Please note this course is currently not open to international students.
Graduates of Veterinary Medicine have a wide range of career opportunities in animal healthcare, research, and public health. Career paths include:
Clinical veterinary practice – Work as a veterinary surgeon in small animal, equine, or farm animal practice, diagnosing and treating a variety of medical conditions.
Specialist veterinary fields – Pursue further training in areas such as surgery, dermatology, cardiology, or exotic animal care.
Animal welfare and conservation – Work with animal charities, shelters, or wildlife conservation organisations to promote animal health and well-being.
Public health and food safety – Join government agencies or organisations involved in disease control, food safety, and veterinary public health.
Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research – Contribute to the development of veterinary medicines, vaccines, and treatments in research and pharmaceutical industries.
Education and academia – Teach future veterinary professionals in universities and contribute to veterinary research.
Regulatory and policy roles – Work in national and international organisations setting animal health and welfare policies.
Agri-food industry and livestock management – Support animal health in agriculture and livestock industries, ensuring productivity and sustainability.
Veterinary Medicine graduates are in high demand, and the skills acquired during this degree create global career prospects in both private and public sectors
Will graduate entry Veterinary Medicine be offered at SETU?
No, at this stage only Undergraduate Veterinary Medicine is being offered with entry via the CAO.
How many places will be offered to study for veterinary medicine each year?
In total, 40 places will be offered per year.
When will the first intake of veterinary medicine students be?
The first intake of students will be in September 2026.
Will SETU be accepting mature applications?
Yes, mature applications will be accepted with the first intake of students in September 2026
What will the entry requirements be for Veterinary Medicine at SETU?
Students will need to achieve at least a H5 in at least two of the following science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Physics and Physics and Chemistry (combination).
Students will be required to complete a total of 60 hours of relevant veterinary or animal handling work experience. Specifically, 30 hours should focus on large animal/equine experience and 30 hours should focus on small animal experience. A portfolio based on this experience will also be required.
