CAREER GUIDE

Veterinary

Careers in animal health, from general practice and farm work to specialist and emergency medicine.

Why should I consider a career in veterinary?

If you are passionate about animals and want to combine that passion with science, problem-solving, and hands-on care, a veterinary career could be one of the most fulfilling paths you can take.

This is a sector built on a genuine vocation: the people who work in it care deeply about animal welfare and the families who depend on them. From diagnosing complex conditions to nursing an animal through recovery, every role in the veterinary team plays a meaningful part in the outcome.

The sector spans companion animals, farm animals, horses, exotics, and wildlife, meaning there is genuine breadth and variety across the profession. It is also a sector in high demand: the UK is home to millions of pets and the appetite for high-quality veterinary care has never been stronger.

What kinds of veterinary jobs are available?

Veterinary Surgeon (Vet) — the most well-known role, requiring a five-year degree from an RCVS-accredited university. Vets diagnose, treat, and operate on animals across a huge range of species and settings, from general practice to specialist referral centres. Many vets go on to specialise in areas like surgery, oncology, cardiology, or emergency and critical care.

Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) — a highly skilled and regulated clinical role. Veterinary nurses deliver anaesthesia, assist in surgery, provide intensive nursing care, run nurse-led consultations, and are central to the day-to-day running of any practice. The role is undergoing significant expansion, with the profession actively pushing for RVNs to take on additional clinical responsibilities.

Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) / Animal Nursing Assistant (ANA) — entry-level clinical support roles that involve direct hands-on animal care: feeding, cleaning, monitoring recovery, and supporting the nursing team. An excellent starting point and a common route into veterinary nursing training.

Veterinary Physiotherapist — works with animals recovering from surgery, injury, or managing long-term conditions. Combines animal knowledge with rehabilitation techniques, and can be employed within practices or work independently on referral.

Veterinary Technician / Diagnostic Imaging Technician — specialist technical roles covering areas such as laboratory analysis, diagnostic imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI), and equipment operation. Increasingly important as practices invest in advanced diagnostic technology.

For those interested in the wider practice environment, roles in reception, client care, and practice management also exist, though these involve less direct animal contact.

Do I need qualifications to work in veterinary?

To become a vet you need a five-year BVSc, BVM&S, or equivalent degree from one of the UK's RCVS-accredited veterinary schools, followed by registration with the RCVS. Entry is highly competitive, with most schools requiring AAA at A Level including Biology and Chemistry, plus substantial work experience with animals. New veterinary schools have recently opened at the University of Central Lancashire and Scotland's Rural College, increasing the number of training places available.

To become a Registered Veterinary Nurse you need to complete an RCVS-approved veterinary nursing qualification, most commonly a Foundation Degree or BSc in Veterinary Nursing, undertaken alongside a period of supervised clinical placement. Many nurses train while working as a VCA, using their employer as their training practice.

For VCA and ANA roles, no formal qualifications are required at entry level, though a genuine commitment to animal welfare and the ability to handle animals calmly under pressure are essential. Many employers provide in-house training and support towards formal qualifications.

For veterinary physiotherapy, a degree in physiotherapy or animal science plus a postgraduate qualification in veterinary physiotherapy is the standard route, followed by registration with the IRVAP or NAVP.

Job security & demand: is veterinary a stable career?

The short answer is yes, though the picture is more nuanced than it was a few years ago.

The UK has experienced a significant shortage of vets in recent years, driven by a post-Brexit drop in EU-trained vets coming to work in the UK, a pandemic-driven surge in pet ownership, and longstanding recruitment and retention challenges.

According to the RCVS workforce model published in December 2024, the number of UK-registered vets is projected to grow by 52% to nearly 45,000 by 2035, and the shortage in clinical practice is expected to ease significantly over that period.

For veterinary nurses, the supply picture is improving rapidly, with the RCVS projecting that nurse numbers will grow by 78% by 2035. In the short term, demand for skilled veterinary professionals across all roles remains strong, and the profession continues to actively recruit.

The one area of genuine and persistent shortage is in government and public health veterinary roles, which remain significantly under-supplied.

52%

Projected growth in the number of UK registered vets by 2035, from around 28,000 to nearly 45,000

78%

Projected increase in the number of Registered Veterinary Nurses by 2035, reaching over 41,000

15.5 million

Dogs in the UK, alongside 13 million cats, driving consistent and growing demand for veterinary services

Source: RCVS Workforce Model, 2024

Source: UK Pet Food, 2026

52%

Projected growth in the number of UK registered vets by 2035, from around 28,000 to nearly 45,000

Source: RCVS Workforce Model, 2024

78%

Projected increase in the number of Registered Veterinary Nurses by 2035, reaching over 41,000

Source: RCVS Workforce Model, 2024

15.5 million

Dogs in the UK, alongside 13 million cats, driving consistent and growing demand for veterinary services

Source: UK Pet Food, 2026

The good bits

You make a real difference. Whether you are nursing an animal through a difficult recovery or helping a family through a worrying diagnosis, the impact of good veterinary care is immediate and tangible
Intellectual challenge. Veterinary work requires constant learning, problem-solving, and clinical judgement. It is never routine and never boring
Variety across species and settings. From small animal general practice to equine hospitals to exotic specialist centres, the range of environments you can work in is enormous
Strong professional community. The veterinary profession has well-established bodies, publications, and networks that support ongoing development and connection
Clear career progression. From VCA to RVN to specialist nurse, or from new graduate vet to specialist or certificate holder, the pathways for progression are well defined
The bond with clients. Building long-term relationships with pet owners and their animals is one of the most consistently cited rewards of working in general practice

The not-so-good bits

The emotional toll is real. Dealing with seriously ill animals, end of life care, and delivering difficult news to distressed owners is emotionally demanding, and the profession has been open about the mental health challenges this can create
Starting salaries can feel disproportionate to the level of training required, particularly for new graduate vets carrying significant student debt from a five-year degree
Long and unpredictable hours, particularly in emergency and out-of-hours settings, and the physical demands of clinical work should not be underestimated
The profession is under pressure. Workload, staffing shortages, and client expectations have all contributed to high rates of stress and burnout, and this is something the sector is actively working to address
Euthanasia is a regular part of the role. Helping animals to a peaceful death is a skilled and compassionate act, but it is part of veterinary work at every level and takes emotional resilience
Becoming a vet is a long road. Five years of highly competitive university study followed by the demands of a new graduate role requires serious commitment and self-awareness about whether it is the right fit

Watch & Listen

The Supervet (Channel 4) - Professor Noel Fitzpatrick's specialist referral practice, showing advanced surgery and the deep bond between vets, animals, and their owners
Fern Britton: Inside the Vet's (ITVX) - behind the scenes at a family-run veterinary practice, giving a realistic picture of day-to-day clinical work
RVC Veterinary Clinical Podcast (Spotify/Apple Podcasts) - the Royal Veterinary College's podcast series featuring specialists and clinicians discussing clinical topics relevant to everyone in the profession, from new graduates to experienced practitioners

Read

Tales of a Vet Nurse by Jade Pengelly- an insight in to teh world of vet nursing and a life devoted to saving animals
The Travelling Vet by Jonathan Cranston - a modern account of building a veterinary career across multiple species and settings
Vet Times and Veterinary Record - the leading professional publications for staying up to date with the sector

Explore

RCVS - the regulatory body for vets and veterinary nurses in the UK, with career and qualification information
BVNA - the British Veterinary Nursing Association, the professional body for RVNs
BVA - the British Veterinary Association, for career resources and industry insight

Where can I find veterinary jobs?

You're already in the right place! Browse our Veterinary jobs to see the latest roles from across the UK.

If you are driven by a desire to help animals, have the resilience to handle the emotional demands of clinical work, and are excited by the science and skill involved, veterinary offers a career that is genuinely among the most rewarding you can build. The path in varies by role, so whether you are considering a VCA position as a first step or researching veterinary school applications, there is a place to start. Take a look at our current listings and see what is out there.

We also recommend checking:

Vet Record Jobs
VetClick
Independent practice websites - many smaller practices advertise directly on their own sites

Browse Veterinary Jobs

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