Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor of Veterinary Science [BVSc]
University of Pretoria · Faculty of Veterinary Science · Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- Official award
- Bachelor of Veterinary ScienceBVSc
- Pathway
- Veterinary medicineStated for South Africa
- Format
- On campus6 years minimum
- Tuition
- Not published
About this program
Six-year full-time veterinary degree: a core curriculum over nine semesters followed by 18 months of work-integrated training and a research project. The first year is taught at Hatfield, the rest at Onderstepoort.
Role the program prepares for: Registered veterinarian.
- Subject
- Veterinary medicine
- Department
- Faculty of Veterinary Science
- Awarding body
- University of Pretoria
Qualification and professional pathway
Pathway is classified only from a statement on an official page. An award title such as DVM, BVSc, BSc or MSc does not decide it, and no degree, accreditation or listing by itself grants permission to practise anywhere.
- Degree level
- Bachelor’s degreeA first degree. A bachelor’s title does not by itself show whether a program leads to veterinarian, nurse or technician roles: the study pathway is shown separately.
- Official level
- NQF (South Africa) 8As stated in the source. A framework level does not make different national awards equivalent.
- Pathway
- Veterinary medicinePrograms the source describes as the academic and clinical qualification toward becoming a veterinarian in the stated jurisdiction. Registration or licensing normally requires further steps, and a qualification from one country does not guarantee registration in another.
- Why we classify it this way
- The page says registration with the SAVC is a prerequisite for practising as a veterinarian in South Africa and that graduates register as veterinarians.“Registration with the SAVC is a prerequisite for practising as a veterinarian in South Africa.”Source
- Prior degree required
- No
- Further professional requirements
- Graduates must register with the SAVC and complete a compulsory community service year with the state department before practising for any other employer.Source
| Route | Duration | Credits | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry from secondary school | six-year programme | 840 | NSC/IEB: English 5, Mathematics 5, Physical Sciences 5, APS 35Source |
Accreditation, evaluation and recognition
Recorded for this program and campus, with the authority’s role. Program accreditation, evaluation status, professional-body recognition, eligibility toward registration, institutional recognition, directory listings and memberships are different things; none of them is automatic permission to practise, and recognition in one country does not guarantee registration in another.
Verified in official recordSouth African Veterinary Council (SAVC)Professional-body recognitionZA
Reference: SAVC prescribed qualifications page last updated 24 January 2022
Scope: BVSc offered by the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort campus), listed as the prescribed qualification for veterinarians
Stated by the schoolRoyal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)Professional-body recognitionUK
Scope: University statement that the BVSc is accredited with RCVS (UK); not confirmed on an RCVS record in this session
Stated by the schoolAustralasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)Professional-body recognitionAU
Scope: University statement that the BVSc is accredited with AVBC (Australia and New Zealand); not confirmed on an AVBC record in this session
Stated by the schoolVeterinary Council of Namibia (VCN)Professional-body recognitionNA
Scope: University statement that the BVSc is accredited with the VCN
Study structure
- Delivery
- On campusTaught at the listed campus.
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 6 years minimum
- Credits
- 840 UP credits (NQF level 8)Credit systems differ between countries and institutions.
- Clinical components
- Clinical work offered mainly at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital and satellite community clinics, with exposure to private practices, state veterinary services and farms.
- Clinical placement
- 18 months of work-integrated training in core and elective components
- Thesis or dissertation
- Research project in the final phase.
- Intakes
- 2027
- Campus
- Onderstepoort Campus
Source could not be re-checked automatically.
Teaching language
- Taught in
- English
- English
- Taught in EnglishAn English-language website does not mean a program is taught in English.
Admissions
- Animal or veterinary experience
- Not published
- Interview
- Not published
- Previous qualification
- NSC or IEB (South African school-leaving) minimum levels 5 English, 5 Mathematics, 5 Physical Sciences, APS 35; other qualifications refer to the international prospectus.
- Science prerequisites
- Mathematics and Physical Sciences at level 5.
- Prior degree
- No prior degree required; selection based on academic merit.
- Deadlines
- Closing date South Africa and International: 31/05/2026 (2027 programme page) · 2027 · this date has passed; check the current cycle
Source could not be re-checked automatically.
Fees and costs
Original currency is authoritative. Each price keeps its basis (per year, per credit, whole program), academic year and student category, and is never converted. Annual tuition and whole-program tuition are different figures.
The institution does not publish tuition for this program on the pages we checked. Ask for current fees, what they include and whether clinical or laboratory charges, equipment and protective clothing, travel, placement expenses and insurance are extra.
Sources and verification
Not published on the program’s source pages: tuition, animal or veterinary experience requirement.
Sources and how this was checked
Last checked 19 October 2026. Each fact carries a verbatim quote that is re-checked against the live page. Research methodology.
Sources (checked 19 October 2026)