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Vet school

How Much Does Vet School Cost in the UK?

UK home students pay around £47,000 over five years; international students pay considerably more. A clear breakdown of tuition and living costs for every UK vet school, from a qualified vet.

UK home students pay up to £9,535 a year in tuition for 2025/26, about £47,000 over the five year degree, while international students pay considerably more, from roughly £33,000 to over £50,000 a year depending on the school. Vet school is a significant financial commitment, mainly because veterinary degrees run for five years rather than the standard three. Home fee levels follow the UK undergraduate tuition fee cap; confirm each school's published fees on our UK vet schools hub and on the university's own pages.

Tuition for UK home students

UK home students currently pay up to £9,535 per year in tuition for 2025/26, with most vet schools charging the maximum. Over a five year degree that comes to roughly £47,000, or around £57,000 if you intercalate an extra year. Tuition fee loans from Student Finance cover this cost, and you repay it only once you are earning above the threshold.

Tuition for international students

Overseas students pay considerably more, with 2026 entry fees ranging from around £33,000 per year at Harper and Keele to over £50,000 at the RVC, and higher still at Cambridge once its college fee is added. SRUC is the most affordable major option at around £17,000 per year. Our full guide to how much UK vet school costs for international students breaks the figures down school by school.

International tuition by UK vet school (2026/27)

International tuition varies widely between schools, so it is worth comparing before you build your UCAS list. The table below shows the latest published annual fees, from the most affordable to the most expensive. Home fees are broadly the same everywhere, so the gap is almost entirely on the international side.

UniversityUK / home (per year)International (per year)
SRUC (Scotland's Rural College)£1,820 to £9,790£17,000
Harper and Keele£9,790£33,000
University of Glasgow£1,820 to £9,790£37,350
University of Edinburgh£1,820 to £9,790£41,700
University of Nottingham£9,790£41,800
University of Bristol£9,790£41,900
University of Surrey£9,790£43,200
University of Liverpool£9,790£44,850
Royal Veterinary College£9,790£50,360
University of Cambridge£10,050£70,554 + college fee
Aberystwyth£9,790Set by RVC
Annual tuition for 2026/27 entry. Home fees shown are the standard rate; Scottish-domiciled students pay less at Scottish universities. Confirm current fees on each university's site. Source: University admissions pages (2026/27 entry).

The costs beyond tuition

Whatever your fee status, budget for living costs, accommodation, travel to extramural placements, and basic clinical kit. These add up over five years, so factor them in early. Financial support is available through Student Finance for home students, and many schools offer bursaries, scholarships and gateway routes. Our own bursary exists to help talented students from every background.

Common questions

How much does vet school cost in the UK?+

UK home students pay up to £9,535 per year in tuition for 2025/26, totalling around £47,000 over a five year degree. International students pay considerably more, from roughly £33,000 to over £50,000 per year depending on the school. Living costs, placement travel and kit are extra.

Which UK vet school is cheapest for international students?+

SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) is the most affordable for international students at around £17,000 a year. Harper and Keele is the next lowest at about £33,000, while most other schools fall between £37,000 and £50,000 a year, and Cambridge is the most expensive once its college fee is added.

Can you get a loan for vet school?+

Yes. UK home students can take a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan from Student Finance, repayable only once you earn above the repayment threshold. International students are not eligible for UK government loans and usually fund their studies privately or through scholarships.

Is vet school more expensive than other degrees?+

In total, usually yes, because it lasts five years rather than three, so you pay an extra two years of tuition and living costs. The annual home tuition rate is the same as other courses, but the longer course and the placement travel make the overall cost higher.

Guided personally by Dr Rebecca Massie, BVetMed MRCVS. Want this applied to your own application? See The Vet Offer Programme →

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