Curriculum Integration

The veterinary curriculum at University College Dublin focuses on teaching the most up-to-date evidence-based skills to future veterinary leaders. The veterinary program's foundation years provide a preclinical background through subjects such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry. The subsequent years then develop the clinical subjects, including Microbiology, Pathology and Surgery. Each undergraduate curriculum exceeds the requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and the Veterinary Directives of the European Union. A detailed program description is also available from the University College Dublin prospectus and website.

Length of Program

The veterinary degree course at University College Dublin is five years in duration. The standard school year in Ireland usually runs from late September to late April and is divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from fall to Christmas break, the second from January to late spring. There are breaks at Christmas, in the spring and the summer, as well as on the individual national holidays.

Assessment

Student progress is monitored continuously throughout the year, culminating in final examinations at the end of the school year. Continuous assessment may involve any combination of seminars, multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs), essays, clinical skills assessments, oral exams and projects. The final exams are composed of any combination of essay papers, oral exams, Objective Structured Practical Veterinary Examinations (OSPVEs), MCQs and practical exams. Marks for the in-course assessment and the end-of-year assessment are then combined to determine a final grade for each course.

Research Opportunities

During the summer months, students may carry out research in several departments. Grants are available from the schools, the national research councils, non-profit organizations and private corporations.

Degrees Awarded

Successful completion of the five-year veterinary degree course leads to the MVB degree at University College Dublin. Once applicable licensing procedures have been successfully completed, holders of these degrees are eligible to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada and all of the European Union nations. Both schools have many veterinary graduates currently practicing and/or teaching veterinary medicine in North America.

Doctorate degrees and Higher Diploma courses are also offered.