Degree Program

It takes five and a half years to study veterinary medicine. Studies are divided into a Bachelor's and a Master's degree program. Each degree program is broken down into modules. While most modules are completed in a single semester, some extend over two.

You will be examined on the modules after each semester. Once you pass an exam you will earn a number of credit points under the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) corresponding to the scale of the module and the exam. As a rule of thumb, one ECTS credit corresponds to 30 hours of work (including instruction, preparation and follow-up work, and exam preparation).

The language of instruction is German. As the students need to know German very well in speech and writing, the detailed information can be found on the German pages.

Students must earn 180 ECTS points. Once they have successfully completed their third year of study, students are awarded the Bachelor's degree and the degree Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine. This title qualifies them to switch to the Master's program in veterinary medicine.

Following their Bachelor's, students must earn an additional 150 ECTS credits. Graduates are awarded the degree Master of Veterinary Medicine.

At the end of the Bachelor, students decide on a focus. Part of the instruction in the chosen focus takes place from the fourth year of study onward.

As part of their Master's program students write a Master's thesis.

The Master's degree is followed by the federal examination in veterinary medicine. The diploma in veterinary medicine entitles you to work in all areas of veterinary medicine in Switzerland.