Veterinarian
Treat animals in small-animal practice, on farms or in wildlife and state veterinary services.
What the job involves
- Diagnose and treat sick or injured animals.
- Perform surgery and vaccinations.
- Advise farmers on herd health and disease control.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- English
- Agricultural Sciences
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 33–40; entry is highly competitive with limited places
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 60%+
- Physical Sciences: 60%+
- Life Sciences: 60%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BVSc6 years
Only one veterinary faculty in South Africa (Onderstepoort, University of Pretoria); community service follows.
- Veterinary nurse diploma3 years
A shorter route into veterinary work with animals.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R35 000 – R50 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R55 000 – R80 000 per month
- Senior
- R90 000+ per month (practice owners vary)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU · Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
- Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU · Kimberley
- University of MpumalangaUMP · Mbombela and Siyabuswa
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Vaal University of TechnologyVUT · Vanderbijlpark
- Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT · Umlazi, Durban
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Welapha izilwane emapulazini nasemakhaya. Kudinga izifundo zesayensi nemaki eziphezulu.
Afrikaans: Behandel diere op plase en in praktyke. Hoë punte in wiskunde en wetenskappe is nodig.