For the first time in almost 80 years, Ireland is expanding veterinary education beyond UCD. From September 2026 two brand-new programmes at SETU and ATU will nearly double the number of Irish training places. If the Irish route doesn't suit, English-taught programmes across Europe offer an alternative — all recognised back home.
The Government's Veterinary Places Activation Programme (announced September 2024) is adding 80 new training places at SETU Waterford and ATU Letterkenny, joining the established programme at UCD. With an estimated 450–500 Irish students currently studying veterinary medicine abroad, this expansion aims to bring more training home. Points are expected to drop from the historic ~590 range — some analysts predict students in the 555–560 range may secure a place from 2026 onward.
All three Irish programmes require a minimum of 60 hours of animal handling work experience covering at least two animal categories (small and large animals). Start organising this early — it's a pass/fail requirement, not graded. Experience must be verified by the supervising professional. UCD requires Chemistry at H5; SETU requires Biology or Chemistry at H4; ATU additionally requires the Casper situational judgement test.
| School / Country | Location | Duration | Entry Route | Tuition / yr (EU) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRELAND — CAO ENTRY (WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED) | ||||
| UCD — University College Dublin DN300 |
Dublin | 5 yrs | CAO + H5 Chemistry + 60 hrs experience 590 points (2025) |
€2,500 |
| SETU — South East Technological University SE526 New 2026 |
Waterford | 5 yrs | CAO + H4 Biology or Chemistry + 60 hrs experience Points TBC — first intake Sept 2026 |
€2,500 |
| ATU — Atlantic Technological University AU375 New 2026 |
Letterkenny | 5 yrs | CAO + 60 hrs experience + Casper test Points TBC — first intake Sept 2026 |
€2,500 |
| EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVES — ENGLISH-TAUGHT PROGRAMMES | ||||
| 🇭🇺 Hungary University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (UVMB) |
Budapest | 5.5 yrs | Entrance exam + interview | €12,480 |
| 🇵🇱 Poland Warsaw (WULS-SGGW), Wrocław |
Warsaw, Wrocław | 5.5 yrs | Biology + Chemistry entrance exam | €10,000 – €12,000 |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia University of Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacy, Košice |
Košice | 6 yrs | Biology + Chemistry exam (5 dates/yr) | €8,950 |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic VETUNI — University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno |
Brno | 6 yrs | Application + documents | €7,600 |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria Trakia University (Stara Zagora), Sofia |
Stara Zagora, Sofia | 5.5 yrs | Biology + Chemistry + English exam | €5,100 |
| 🇷🇴 Romania USAMV Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest |
Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest | 6 yrs | Grades-based / university exam | €5,000 – €6,000 |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) |
Kaunas | 6 yrs | School grades + motivation letter | €8,000 – €10,000 |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia Estonian University of Life Sciences |
Tartu | 6 yrs | Application + interview | €6,000 – €8,000 |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus Near East University, University of Nicosia |
Nicosia | 5 yrs | No entrance exam (Nicosia: holistic) | €10,000 – €18,000 |
Irish tuition reflects the student contribution under the Free Fees Initiative. European fees are approximate and vary by institution and nationality. All European programmes listed are English-taught, EAEVE-accredited DVM/MVDr degrees. Living costs are additional in all cases.
UCD has been Ireland's sole provider of veterinary education for decades and is one of only six European vet schools with full AVMA accreditation, meaning graduates can also practise in the United States and Canada. The five-year programme combines pre-clinical sciences in years 1–2, clinical training in years 3–4, and full-time rotations across the UCD Veterinary Hospital in year 5 — covering small animal, equine, farm animal, and diagnostic specialties. The Belfield campus includes a purpose-built Veterinary Sciences Centre, and students spend time at UCD Lyons Farm in Kildare for large-animal work.
UCD School of Veterinary MedicineSETU's programme introduces Ireland's first fully distributed clinical education model, where fifth-year students complete their clinical rotations across a vetted network of partner veterinary practices rather than in a single university hospital. This mirrors how most vets actually work and provides exposure to diverse real-world settings. The foundation and clinical phases (years 1–4) use scaffolded active learning on the Waterford campus, with animal biology, anatomy and husbandry classes at Teagasc Kildalton College (free bus service provided). No third language is required, and no Casper test — entry is based on CAO points and work experience alone. SETU reserves at least 15% of places for mature applicants.
SETU Veterinary MedicineATU's Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery is the first vet programme in Ireland's west or northwest. It emphasises rural, remote, and resource-limited veterinary medicine alongside global challenges like climate change, food security and One Health. The integrated spiral curriculum combines clinical skills training, communication and professional development from year one. ATU is building Ireland's first new veterinary teaching hospital in almost 80 years at the Letterkenny campus. The Casper test is designed to moderate raw points by assessing emotional intelligence — someone with lower academic points but stronger interpersonal skills could score higher overall than a higher-points candidate with lower Casper performance.
ATU Veterinary Medicine & SurgeryAn estimated 450–500 Irish students are currently studying veterinary medicine abroad, primarily in Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. All programmes listed below are English-taught, EAEVE-accredited and produce qualifications automatically recognised across the EU under Directive 2005/36/EC.
Yes. Veterinary qualifications from EU/EEA universities accredited by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) are automatically recognised by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI). Irish citizens who graduate from an EAEVE-accredited programme can register and practise as veterinary surgeons in Ireland without additional exams. Always confirm the specific programme holds current EAEVE accreditation before applying.
The University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest (UVMB) is Europe's only standalone veterinary university. Founded in 1787, it has over 30 years' experience teaching international students — 67% of its student body comes from 50 different countries. The 5.5-year DVM programme is fully EAEVE-accredited and AVMA accreditation is in preparation, which would allow graduates to practise in the US and Canada.
Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW) is the most popular destination for Irish vet students abroad, with a well-established 5.5-year DVM programme and strong Irish/UK student networks. Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences also offers an English-taught programme. Both are EAEVE-accredited. Entry requires Biology and Chemistry entrance exams, and living costs are very affordable at €500–€800 per month.
The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice is Slovakia's only vet school and a popular choice among Irish students. The 6-year programme costs €8,950 per year and uniquely offers a graduate entry pathway — students with a relevant Bachelor's degree can enter the 2nd or 3rd year. Biology and Chemistry entrance exams are held five times per year, giving flexibility for timing your application.
VETUNI in Brno (Czech Republic) charges just €7,600 per year for a 6-year EAEVE-accredited programme in a beautiful university city with very low living costs. Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, is the most affordable option at approximately €5,100 per year for a 5.5-year DVM — with monthly living expenses as low as €350–€500. Both programmes have well-established English tracks and strong practical training.
If your points are strong (570+), all three Irish programmes are realistic. If you're in the 520–560 range, the new SETU and ATU programmes may bring the threshold within reach. Below that, or if you want a safety net, apply to one or two European schools in parallel — many have rolling admissions or multiple exam dates.
ATU is the only Irish vet programme using the Casper situational judgement test. If you're strong on empathy, communication and ethical reasoning but your Leaving Cert points are slightly lower, the Casper can boost your combined score significantly (up to 300 extra points). Think of it as the HPAT equivalent for vet — but testing emotional intelligence rather than reasoning.
Ireland's €2,500/yr student contribution means a 5-year degree costs ~€12,500 total. Compare that with Hungary at €12,480 per year (€68,640 total for 5.5 years). Bulgaria's Trakia University at €5,100/yr for 5.5 years totals ~€28,050. Factor in living costs too — Stara Zagora at €400/month is dramatically cheaper than Dublin at €1,200+.
UCD centres clinical training in its own Veterinary Hospital with board-certified specialists. SETU's distributed model sends you into real-world vet practices across the South East. ATU focuses on rural and remote vet medicine with a brand-new teaching hospital. In Europe, Budapest offers a unique equine clinic, while Poland and Slovakia provide extensive large-animal farm experience.
Didn't get the points for DN300, SE526 or AU375? There are several strong alternative routes — some lead directly back into veterinary medicine, others open up rewarding animal-focused careers in their own right.
If you already hold (or are completing) an honours degree in a biological, biomedical or animal science discipline, you can apply for UCD's accelerated 4-year graduate entry programme. You'll join combined classes with DN300 students from second year onward and graduate with the same MVB qualification. Graduates of any discipline can also apply for up to five places on the 5-year DN300 programme.
This is the primary "second chance" route for students who missed out at Leaving Cert but went on to complete a science degree. The GAMSAT is the same exam used for graduate entry medicine, so if you're prepared for one you can apply for both.
UCD's 4-year BSc Veterinary Nursing is a rewarding career in its own right — accredited by both the VCI and the European ACOVENE body. You'll train across small animal, farm animal and equine nursing, with clinical rotations in the UCD Veterinary Hospital. It's a registered profession in Ireland since 2015.
Graduate vet nurses in Ireland earn €28,000–€32,000 starting, rising to €35,000+ with experience. Demand is very strong — the VCI reports growing workforce needs alongside vets. Some vet nurses later use this as a stepping stone to graduate entry veterinary medicine.
Science degrees with strong animal biology content can qualify you for UCD's graduate entry (DN301) later. These courses also lead to excellent careers in their own right — from farm management and food safety to wildlife conservation and pharmaceutical research.
Complete a Level 8 degree in biological/animal science with a 2.2 or above, then sit the GAMSAT to apply for DN301. This route adds 1–2 years but is a proven pathway used by many practising vets.
If you narrowly missed the cut (say 560–585 range), repeating one or two subjects to gain an extra 15–30 points is a practical option — especially with the 2026 expansion potentially lowering thresholds. Many grind schools offer focused repeat programmes. The additional year can also give you time to build stronger work experience.
Points for DN300 have historically been 589–601. With 80 extra places from 2026, analysts expect the combined threshold across all three programmes to settle in the 555–570 range. A strong repeat year could make the difference.
As covered in the European section above, EAEVE-accredited programmes in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and more produce fully recognised veterinary qualifications. Around 450–500 Irish students are currently studying this way. You can register with the VCI and practise in Ireland without additional exams upon graduation.
Slovakia's Košice programme uniquely offers graduate entry — if you complete a relevant Bachelor's degree first, you can enter the 2nd or 3rd year, shortening the overall timeline.
Ireland is experiencing a significant veterinary shortage, particularly in rural and large-animal practice. Demand for veterinary services is projected to grow 3.7% annually to 2033. For graduates, this means near-guaranteed employment and rising salaries.
Starting salaries for newly qualified vets in Ireland have risen substantially in recent years due to the shortage, with graduates now commanding €40,000–€50,000. Vets with 2–5 years' experience typically earn €55,000–€68,000, while senior practitioners and clinical directors can earn €70,000–€90,000 or more. Practice owners and specialists can earn well above €100,000. Locum rates have also risen sharply, reflecting the demand for flexible cover. On top of base salary, many practices offer CPD allowances, vehicle or fuel allowances, VCI/VDS fee coverage, and relocation bonuses.
Sources: Glassdoor Ireland (Dec 2025), Indeed Ireland (Nov 2025), Agriland salary survey, The Vet Service Ireland. Figures are indicative and vary by practice type, location and specialisation.
Small animal, farm animal, equine, mixed practice, emergency and critical care, or specialist referral hospital work. The most common path — and the one with the greatest shortage.
DAFM veterinary inspectors, Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), local authority roles, TB testing and disease control, meat plant inspection. High demand for government vets currently.
Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, university research, vaccine development, clinical trials, and regulatory science. Ireland's large pharma sector offers strong opportunities.
Zoo veterinary medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, marine mammal conservation, national parks, or international organisations like the WHO, FAO and OIE working on One Health initiatives.
Racehorse and sport horse veterinary work, stud medicine, equine surgery, and performance assessment. Ireland's world-renowned horse industry creates strong niche demand.
Practice ownership and management, pet food industry, animal insurance, agri-tech companies, veterinary supply, and consulting. Some vets move into business after clinical experience.
Vet admissions has more moving parts than almost any other CAO course — work experience logs, Casper registration, European applications, and multiple deadlines spread across 18 months. Here's every key date mapped out so nothing catches you off guard.
Begin accumulating your 60 hours of animal handling as early as possible. All three Irish programmes require it. Contact local vet practices, farms, equine yards, and wildlife centres now — placements fill fast.
If you're considering European vet schools as a backup, research entrance exam requirements now (most need Biology + Chemistry). Confirm your LC subject choices include Chemistry (required for UCD) or Biology/Chemistry (SETU). Attend open days if available.
Summer is the best time to clock your remaining hours. Aim to have at least 40–50 hours done before 6th year begins. Get your log sheets signed and verified by supervising vets/farmers as you go — don't leave this until the end.
The CAO application portal opens in early November. Start filling in your application — you can list all three Irish vet programmes (DN300, SE526, AU375) in any order. Simultaneously, begin European university applications (many open November–January).
Submit your CAO application by 5:15pm on 1 February. Make sure DN300 (UCD), SE526 (SETU), and/or AU375 (ATU) are listed. Late applications are accepted until 1 May but are best avoided. This is also the deadline for most DARE/HEAR supporting documentation.
If you're applying for ATU AU375, you must register for and complete the Casper Situational Judgement Test by the end of February. The test is scored out of 300 and combined with your moderated LC points (max 565) for a maximum combined score of 865. This is a hard deadline — miss it and your ATU application is invalid.
Most European vet school applications close between March and May. Some hold entrance exams in this window too. You can apply to European and Irish programmes simultaneously — there's no restriction. Key deadlines vary by country:
Last chance to submit a new CAO application (€60 fee). If you've already applied, this doesn't affect you — the Change of Mind facility opens later. Use this if you only recently decided to add veterinary to your list.
Focus entirely on your exams. UCD DN300 requires 590 points (2025), but the two new programmes (SETU/ATU) may settle around 555–570. Every extra point counts — don't let the work experience or application admin distract you from what ultimately decides your offer.
Two critical deadlines on the same day. The Change of Mind facility closes at 5:15pm — your last chance to reorder or add vet programmes to your CAO list. Separately, UCD work experience documentation must be submitted by this date. Make sure your 60-hour log is complete, signed, and uploaded.
For the inaugural 2026 intake only, both SETU and ATU have extended their work experience submission deadline to the end of July. This gives you extra time to complete and upload your hours after the LC. UCD's deadline remains 1 July — this extension applies only to the two new programmes.
Results are released mid-August. Calculate your total points and check whether you're in range for your preferred programmes. For ATU, remember your Casper score (max 300) is combined with moderated LC points (max 565) — your actual combined score may differ from LC points alone.
First round offers are issued approximately one week after results. You'll receive your highest-preference offer for which you qualify. If you get a vet offer — accept it! If not, watch for Round 2 and subsequent rounds where points may drop slightly as some applicants don't accept their offers.
If you accepted a CAO offer, registration and orientation begin in September at UCD (Belfield), SETU (Waterford), or ATU (Letterkenny). If you're heading to Europe, most programmes also start in September/October. Either way — you're on your way to becoming a vet.
You can list all three Irish programmes on your CAO form in any preference order. SETU and ATU are brand-new for 2026, so historical points data doesn't exist yet — first-year cutoffs will only be known after August 2026 offers. Start your 60 hours of work experience as early as possible, and if applying to ATU, register for the Casper test before the end of February.
If you're also considering European options, many have early deadlines (January–March for September entry). You can apply to both the CAO and European universities simultaneously — there's no restriction on holding offers from both systems.