Veterinary Biosciences

Veterinary biosciences is the study of the biological sciences that underpin animal health and veterinary medicine, covering the anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, and pharmacology of the animal species most relevant to veterinary practice. It is a discipline that combines scientific rigour with a genuine concern for animal welfare, and it provides both a foundation for further study in veterinary medicine and a route into the many scientific and professional careers that support animal health outside the clinic.

At Aberystwyth University, this full-time, three-year programme focuses on the biology of farm animals, horses, and companion animals, exploring how their bodies function, how disease develops and progresses, and what the science tells us about how to protect and restore animal health. You will study the physiological systems that maintain health in different species alongside the pathogens and conditions that disrupt them, developing a grounded understanding of animal biology that is directly relevant to veterinary and allied professions. The programme provides a suitable pathway to a veterinary medicine course for students who need to develop their scientific profile before applying for a clinical programme.

The typical entry tariff is 120 UCAS points.

Graduates from veterinary biosciences programmes pursue a range of careers. Some go on to apply for veterinary medicine programmes, using the degree as a scientific foundation and a demonstration of commitment. Others move into roles as veterinary laboratory diagnosticians, animal health researchers, nutritionists, and technical specialists in the pharmaceutical, food science, and animal health industries.

Government regulatory bodies, research organisations, animal welfare charities, and academic institutions also employ veterinary biosciences graduates. Postgraduate study in areas such as animal science, veterinary public health, or wildlife conservation provides further routes for those who wish to specialise.