What is the difference between...

[andrewsmack05]

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Whats the difference between Vet. schools in the UK and here in the US? Besides the 3500 miles of ocean between them. I was just wondering if there is a benefit to either side of the pond so to speak.


And why is the edinburgh school called the Royal Dick school? I couldnt help but roll in the floor and 😆

 

[andrewsmack05]

I know I am prepharmacy but I was looking at this career because I think this is a better fit for me and la di da.

 

[Electrophile]

Do you mean you think you want to be a veterinary doctor or veterinary pharmacist?

 

[Crazy Hippos]

I clicked this thread expecting a joke! *Disappointment* LOL.

The only difference that I know is that schools in the UK award a BVSc degree while schools in the states award a DVM degree.

 

[mtambaschi]

It seems like the UK schools require a lot of hands-on experience during school that the US schools don't require - 12 weeks of animal husbandry extra murals and 26 weeks of clinical extra murals - before the final year clinical rotations. They're very structured about what skills they want you to learn and what species they want you to work with - e.g., they require you to work in a slaughterhouse for 1 week and to go lambing for 3 weeks.

Plus they're relatively inexpensive (approx. $31,000 for RVC and Glasgow) and both RVC and Glasgow guaranty their fees won't increase more than 5% per year.

And they don't require you to buy a computer because they have lots of computers around campus that you can use. They also have most of their notes, etc. posted in case you want them.

And for RVC, you don't need to have a car because the train goes near both of their campuses and they have a shuttle that goes from the train station to the Hawkshead campus on a regular basis.

Can you tell I love RVC 😍

 

[Tech2Vet]

I used to live in London and although I didn't go to vet school there, I met a girl from California that did. She said that a positive was that you don't have to do all of the crazy pre-reqs that you have to do for the state schools prior to applying. Although, she said one of the very difficult points was that it's harder to get sufficient student loans. She had loans from the states, but with the exchange rate at the time (was $1.90something to the pound....now it's much lower I think around $1.50) she was having a difficult time affording the fees.
Another factor was that the cost of living in London is high. So, she and her husband were really considering moving back mid-school because they were really struggling with that. Edinburgh and Glasgow are a bit cheaper, but still pretty high compared to a lot of the schools located in the states.
On the other hand, I have a couple of friends who've just started at the RVC and seem to be loving it and doing just fine.
I have to say, after moving back and going back to school for all of these pre-reqs and going through the application process here, sometimes I wish I'd just gone ahead and applied in the UK. I would've even gotten the resident tuition rates! I should have done more research because I thought it would be easier to work as a vet anywhere in the world with a degree from the states -but I didn't realize that the AVMA recognizes those few UK schools...doh! Oh well at least my husband always wanted to live here...so I guess that box is ticked.
Oh and another little side-note...a lot of the branded drugs in the UK (not the proper drug names) have different names (like Synulox instead of Clavamox etc.)...so you might have to re-learn them if you come back to the states after school..but that's no biggie...and if you do stay there to work - it's like a vet's dream - most all clients have really good pet insurance...so no cutting corners (for the most part)!
wow...sorry for the rant...hmmm wonder if I'm missing London..hah!🙄

 

[Azarael]

Do you think UK vet schools better train you to work in the UK, while US vet schools better train you for work in the US? As far as preparation for local diseases or past outbreaks, national legislature, general practices in the country, and other issues and concerns in the veterinary community...?

 

[SoBeVet]

Its called Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine because the founder of the vet school was William Dick. When I first heard about it I chuckled that I am going to be a Royal Dick. There is also Dick Day where its basically like a powderpuff of the Glasgow vet school vs. Edinburgh vet school. I cant wait!! Go Edin!

I was in the same situation concerning whether I should apply to the UK as well as US schools. In the end, UK won out for me for various reasons:

1) I really liked that starting for Day 1 of your first year, you are working with animals. Unlike the majority of schools in the US, you do theory the 1st year or 2 THEN work with the animals during lecture.

2) Its AVMA accredited meaning my BVM&S (Bachelor of vet medicine and surgery) degree is the SAME as a DVM degree. I'll still be a licensed vet if I go back to the States. In fact, the BVM&S is licensed to the rest of Europe, (the states, obviously), South Africa, and Australia. Cha-ching!

3) I have dual citizenship with the US and Spain so I don't have to worry about student visas since I will be entering as an EU student.

4) If **** hits the fan in the US, you bet I will be permanently staying in Europe or vice versa. I am glad I have that option to grab my bags and go without having to deal with immigration laws.

5) I knew I wasn't going to get accepted with my instate school so going to Edinburgh comes out cheaper for me than if I went out of state.

6) UK schools don't care about GRE (thank god) and they actually look over your ENTIRE application before making a decision on your application. Unlike most schools they base the 1st trial of your application based off GPA and GRE score.

7) Yea its 3500 miles away, but the way I think of it, I'll still be away from my family, friends, and SO if I moved out of state across the country. The only drawback is that plane tix are much more expensive crossing the ocean but thats why you get Frequent Flyer Miles!

8) Finally, the next 5 years studying in Scotland are going to be the best years of my life and I can't wait to start!

 

[andrewsmack05]

Azareal, I was just wondering if UK schools might have some sort of an edge over the schools in the US, if that was the case then I was looking for a reply in that direction.

Good post SoBeVet, really informative, thanks!

 

[mtambaschi]

When I interviewed with RVC they said they make a point of noting differences between diseases/medications in the UK v. the US. They said if they don't specifically cover the material in their class, that they recommend self-study in particular areas. They also have a review course to help people pass NAVLE.

 

[HopefulAg]

Its called Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine because the founder of the vet school was William Dick. When I first heard about it I chuckled that I am going to be a Royal Dick.

Lol, I kept the 'dick' part away from my family, but my mom found out anyhow (which of course she spreads to everyone else). She came up to me one day with a quavering face and goes "You realize you'd be a Royal Dick, right?"

Everyone's gotten a good kick out of it though. Plus, there'll be royalty in the family, so there's that.

 

[smilin1590]

She said that a positive was that you don't have to do all of the crazy pre-reqs that you have to do for the state schools prior to applying.

Is this true? And what pre-req's wouldn't you have to take?

 

[eringobraugh]

I don't think that schools in either places are necessarily "better". The UK schools are held up to the same standards as the US schools or else they wouldn't be accredited. TI believe there is less competition for American students applying there (less U.S. students apply to foreign schools) so you might have a slight advantage.