Frequently Asked Questions
Concise answers to the most frequent questions
Table of contents
- Where can I study veterinary medicine in Switzerland?
- Do I meet the admission requirements?
- Where and when do I have to register?
- Is there a restriction on admission (numerus clausus)?
- Am I eligible to study as a foreigner?
- How is the course structured?
- What are the requirements for studying veterinary medicine?
Where can I study veterinary medicine in Switzerland?
You can study veterinary medicine at the universities of Bern and Zurich. The programs are held in German only.
Do I meet the admission requirements?
Talk to the University of Zurich's Admissions Office to find out what qualifications you need to apply to study.
Where and when do I have to register?
Applicants have to register electronically on (https://www.swissuniversities.ch) by 15 February.
Late registrations won't be accepted.
Is there a restriction on admission (numerus clausus)?
To maintain the quality of the training, the number of places to study is limited (numerus clausus). If the number of pre-registrations exceeds the number of places available, an aptitude test will be held in July of the relevant year.
Am I eligible to study as a foreigner?
Applicants from outside Switzerland will only be admitted to study if they or their parents have a settlement permit. You can get more information from the Admissions Office for Students with a Foreign Educational Background. You'll need a very good knowledge of German.
There are special rules for Swiss nationals living abroad.
More information at: www.uzh.ch/studies/application/medicine/bachelor.html.
How is the course structured?
The course lasts 5.5 years: 3 years for the Bachelor's degree, and 2.5 years for the Master's.
What are the requirements for studying veterinary medicine?
Some of the requirements are: an interest in medicine and science; curiosity and a desire to research and discover; good powers of observation; visual thinking skills; the ability to think analytically and work with your hands; motivation to learn; a love of animals; an interest in looking after and feeding our pets, farm and zoo animals; a willingness to do dirty work; a willingness to work irregular hours; resilience and stamina; perfect health (the course is physically very demanding); a love of dealing with people; a profound knowledge of German; a good knowledge of English.