Animals play important roles in human life as companions and, in some settings, as sources of food and labor. Animal sciences explore how animals live, how people interact with them, and how their health, welfare, and management can be improved. Depending on the program, students may also study topics related to production, sustainability, and management.
In the guide below, we introduce several top European universities with programs related to animal sciences and veterinary medicine.
Top Animal Sciences Schools in Europe
1. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge offers its Veterinary Medicine (VetMB) course through the Department of Veterinary Medicine. The department conducts veterinary research, and the course combines scientific foundations with practical and clinical training. Applicants should note that the VetMB currently has conditional accreditation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), with the next RCVS visit scheduled for October 2026.
The undergraduate Veterinary Medicine course lasts six years. For the first three years, students focus on scientific principles underlying veterinary medicine and develop their understanding of the professional, ethical, financial, management, and social responsibilities of veterinary surgeons. Students who successfully complete the first three years graduate with a BA (Hons). During the final three years, students apply their knowledge to clinical scenarios and clinical practice, including a year spent mainly undertaking clinical work. Students who complete the entire course graduate with a BA and a VetMB.
2. University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs related to veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and animal behavior through the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.
The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S) has two pathways. The standard-entry program is a five-year full-time course for students entering undergraduate study, while the accelerated Graduate Entry Programme is a four-year full-time course for students with an appropriate undergraduate degree. After an initial period of separate study, the pathways merge for the final three years. Both lead to the BVM&S degree and enable graduates to register as veterinary surgeons.
For postgraduates, the school offers on-campus and online taught programs. Examples include the on-campus MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare, the online MSc, diploma, certificate, and postgraduate professional development options in Clinical Animal Behaviour, and the online RCVS Certificate and postgraduate professional development options in Advanced Veterinary Practice. Entry requirements vary by program.
3. Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich offers Veterinary Medicine through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
LMU Munich’s Veterinary Medicine program leads to the State Examination. The standard period of study is 11 semesters, or 5.5 years. The program begins only in the winter semester, and the language of instruction is German. It includes both theoretical and practical components, as well as veterinary examinations completed in multiple stages.
4. Wageningen University & Research
Wageningen University & Research offers programs that focus directly on animal sciences, including a bachelor’s program and related master’s programs.
The full-time Bachelor’s in Animal Sciences is taught in English and lasts three years. Students explore animal biology and how animals and people coexist, with attention to animal welfare, the environment, and sustainable animal husbandry systems. In the second year, students choose between the specializations Animal Management and Care and Biological Functioning of Animals. During the third year, students have more freedom to shape their program and complete a thesis. The degree does not focus on veterinary medicine, veterinary skills, practical animal care, or breeding techniques.
Wageningen also offers master’s programs in Animal Sciences and Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management. The two-year MSc in Animal Sciences covers animal health, behavior, and welfare in relation to humans and the environment. The two-year MSc in Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management consists of 120 ECTS credits and includes the specializations Aquaculture, Marine Resources and Ecology, and Marine Resources and Society.
5. University of Zurich
The University of Zurich is Switzerland’s largest university. In 2025, it enrolled 28,785 students across bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. It has seven faculties covering around 100 subject areas.
Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zurich takes 5.5 years: a three-year bachelor’s program followed by a 2.5-year master’s program. The bachelor’s program requires 180 ECTS credits, and the master’s program requires an additional 150 ECTS credits. After completing the master’s degree, graduates take the federal examination in Veterinary Medicine to earn the federal diploma required to practice as veterinarians in Switzerland. Topics include animal welfare, breeding, husbandry, nutrition, and the prevention and treatment of disease.
6. Utrecht University
Utrecht University offers veterinary education through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The faculty lists two bachelor’s programs: Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Sciences. Veterinary Medicine is a three-year Dutch-taught bachelor’s program followed by a three-year Dutch-taught master’s program in Veterinary Medicine. The master’s program consists of 180 ECTS credits and trains students to become certified veterinarians. Clinical Sciences is a Dutch-taught interdisciplinary bachelor’s program at the intersection of veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and medicine. Graduates may continue to relevant master’s programs, depending on the applicable admission requirements.
FAQs about Studying Animal Sciences
Is Animal Sciences a Marketable Degree?
Animal Sciences is an interdisciplinary field that can include subjects such as biology, animal welfare, sustainability, statistics, and management. Career paths vary by program and level of study and may include roles in research, animal health and welfare, food production, policy, sustainability, and related industries. Before choosing a program, review its curriculum and career information to confirm that it matches your goals.
We hope that you found this article on animal sciences schools in Europe informative and helpful. If you are interested in learning more about studying abroad, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
