Veterinary Biosciences
Veterinary biosciences is the study of the biological processes, systems and diseases that underpin the health and welfare of animals. It occupies the scientific foundation on which veterinary medicine is built, covering animal anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and the biology of specific animal species. Understanding these foundations is essential both for those who go on to clinical veterinary practice and for the growing range of careers in animal health, research, food production and diagnostics that require deep biological knowledge without necessarily involving direct clinical work.
At Aberystwyth University this four-year full-time programme, which includes a year in industry, is dedicated to the biology underpinning veterinary medicine. You will explore the biology of farm animals, horses and companion animals, developing a thorough understanding of how these animals function, how they get ill and how they recover. The year in industry gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a professional environment, whether in a veterinary practice, research laboratory, agricultural business or animal health organisation, building practical skills and professional experience alongside your academic development.
The programme also provides a suitable pathway to a veterinary medicine course for those who want to progress to clinical training, while also opening other career options in veterinary laboratory diagnostics, animal nutrition, animal health research, the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory science.
Graduates move into a wide range of roles in veterinary laboratory science, animal health management, agricultural research, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, food safety and inspection, and wildlife and conservation science. Many pursue postgraduate study in veterinary biosciences, animal science or related fields, and the year in industry provides a professional grounding that makes graduates attractive to a range of employers.