Uniform Master
Veterinary Medicine studies
Subject description:
Educating and training veterinary professionals is the main goal of the DVM programme. During the 11-semester period of studies (5,5 years), students develop a strong core of veterinary science knowledge, can follow their area of interest, and gain a wealth of professional experience through various internships in veterinary clinics, farms, and the food industry.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr) is accredited in Poland and can boast a positive assessment of the European Association of Faculties of Veterinary Medicine (EAEVE), which confirms the highest quality of education at the faculty. This accreditation assures the graduates of the faculty that their professional diploma is recognized in the whole European Union. The Faculty has also been awarded the Certificate of Educational Excellence from the Polish Accreditation Committee.
A successful graduate obtains a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (PL: lekarz weterynarii) and can begin to work treating various kinds of animals (including companion, farm, and exotic animals), in research, in the food industry, or in public health. During the 5,5 year programme, the student has a chance to explore all different areas of veterinary medicine and different animal species. After developing a strong core of knowledge in veterinary science, students can follow their interests through species oriented training, clinical internships, exchange programmes and elective subjects that correspond to their desired focus.
Upon graduation, there are many ways to pursue a rewarding professional career in veterinary hospitals, clinics, inspection stations, research centers, pharmaceutical or food production companies, and many more.
Professional specialization and academic work can be continued during PhD studies at the UPWr International Doctoral School, through postgraduate studies and specialization courses for veterinarians.
Programme overview
- Duration: 5,5 years full time (11 semesters)
- On Campus
- Professional degree: lekarz weterynarii (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) / Veterinary Surgeon)
- Starting Month: October
- Tuition fee: 17.500 PLN/ semester
The veterinary medicine programme begins with general subjects and basic sciences in the first and second year. Those are followed by further subclinical and diagnostic subjects. First classes in diseases of specific animals and classes with live animals start in year 3. Year 4, 5 & 6 are devoted to diseases of various species (farm animals, horses, dogs, cats, fish, birds, and others), food hygiene, clinical internships, and elective subjects. Theoretical knowledge in the field of veterinary science taught during the first four years of study provides the basis for practical training and internships, which are heavily featured in the final years of study.
All students have a chance to gain a wealth of professional experience during various practical classes, laboratories and 560 hours of internships in clinics (2 months), farms (2 weeks), food production and food safety entities (2 weeks). The students will have a chance to practice in 4 university clinics (Clinic of Surgery, Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Clinic of Birds and Exotic Animals, Clinic or Farm Animals), outbound animal breeding centres and farms.
During the study programme, students are asked to do 14 weeks in total of obligatory vocational placement, divided into a few 2-4 weeks long rounds. Most of them you can do wherever you want to! If you have a favorite veterinary clinic or farm in your country, you are allowed to do university internships there as long as it gives you enough opportunity to practice designated tasks. There are some practical training courses for veterinarians available within the Erasmus+ or IVSA programme. As a young professional, you can choose from many international programmes offering hands-on practical training all over the world (e.g. national parks in Africa, zoological gardens in Europe, etc.). Those training courses are available for more advanced students of the 4-5th year. Students are allowed to get involved as volunteers at the university clinics, animal shelters, Wrocław horse racecourse or NGOs. If you are interested in a specific class or topic, you can approach your lecturer and ask if there is any option for you to be more involved – you may find additional opportunities for practical experience, research work or mentorship.
There are 6 scientific groups for students of veterinary medicine at UPWr. There is also an organization operating internationally: International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA), which has its representative students at the faculty as well.