A week in the life of a vet student
From epigenetics lectures to gastrointestinal tract anatomy practicals, discover what a typical week looks like as a first-year BVMSci (Hons) Veterinary Medicine and Science student at Surrey.
Some of your practicals will take place at our off-site teaching facilities, including Chichester College and Merrist Wood College
How you'll learn
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
- Group work (e.g. problem-based learning)
- Laboratory-based practicals (e.g. anatomy dissection)
- Lectures
- Online learning (e.g. Xerte)
- Placements
- Practical animal handling
- Role plays
- Seminars
- Tutorials.
Outside of these, you’ll be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, essays and reading.
We’ve also introduced hybrid learning, a mix of online and face-to-face sessions, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We benefit from small group teaching for our dissection classes, that means we have increased hands-on learning and more opportunities to ask questions."
Zoe Nalborczyk, BVMSci (Hons) Veterinary Medicine and Science
A typical week in Semester 1 of your first year
In your first year, you'll receive approximately 21 contact hours each week.
Monday
- 9am to 12pm – 'The Veterinary Professional' communication seminar and consultation and feedback workshops
- 1pm to 4:30pm – 'Animals in Society 1' practical session on animal handling and husbandry
Tuesday
- 11am to 1pm – 'Structure and Function 2: Integument and Alimentary Systems' lecture on gastrointestinal tracts
- 2pm to 3:15pm – 'Structure and Function 2: Integument and Alimentary Systems' anatomy practical on sebaceous, sweat and mammary glands
Wednesday
- 9am to 10:15am – 'Structure and Function 2: Integument and Alimentary Systems' anatomy practical on oral cavities and salivary glands
Please note, Wednesday afternoons are left free for sporting activities.
Thursday
- 9am to 10am – 'Structure and Function 1: Cells and Genes in Context' lecture on genetics
- 10am to 12pm – 'Structure and Function 1: Cells and Genes in Context' lecture on building blocks
- 12pm to 1pm – 'Structure and Function 1: Cells and Genes in Context' lecture on cells
- 2pm to 5pm – 'The Veterinary Professional' consultation practical session
Friday
- 9am to 10am – 'Animals in Society 1' lecture on the equine industry
- 10am to 12pm – 'Animals in Society 1' lecture on equine husbandry
- 1pm to 4:30pm – 'Animals in Society 1' practical session on animal handling and husbandry
Find out more about our veterinary medicine and science course
Disclaimer
The timetable and modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication and may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
Given the changing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, our hybrid learning model is under continuous review. See the latest information on all changes.
