BVSc - Overview

• BVSc Curriculum: New core-elective programme *
• BVSc Syllabi - New programme
• BVSc Curriculum: Existing programme
• BVSc Syllabi - Existing programme
• BVSc Career opportunities

Existing (old) degree

This programme, which followed on the completion of the BSc (Veterinary Biology) degree programme, will be presented for the last time from 2012 – 2015. It will be sequentially phased out as students progress through the various years of study.

New degree

A new core-elective degree programme has been developed to replace the previous programme. It was introduced in 2011 and is an internationally recognised and recommended approach and will continue to allow graduates to register and work as veterinarians in South Africa. With the exception of the first year of study, which is offered on the Hatfield campus, it will be offered on a full-time basis on the Onderstepoort campus of the University of Pretoria.

The first semester of the first year of study will consist of the same modules as those originally found in the BSc (Veterinary Biology) programme and currently in the BSc (Agric)(Animal Science) / Biological Science) programmes. One exception is the addition of Medical Terminology. This trend will be continued in the second semester although some modules will be excluded in favour of new modules in Animal Nutrition, Introductory Animal Production and Professional Life. The latter will run throughout the programme and concentrate on the soft skills and ethical and professional aspects of the veterinary profession.

From the second year of study, the programme will be presented on the Onderstepoort campus of the University. It will deal exclusively with basic veterinary disciplines such as Anatomy, Histology, Microbiology and Physiology as well as modules in Animal Science, Pasture Science and Professional Life.

The third year will be devoted to the causes and effects of disease and will include modules on Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, Toxicology, Pharmacology, Organ Pathology and Professional Life.

In the fourth year, the student will be introduced to modules aimed at diagnostics and therapeutics and in the first semester of the fifth year with community interaction. Specific species-directed modules in these semesters will also be presented. In the second semester of the fifth year the emphasis will be on the didactic components of the elective modules chosen by students.

The remaining approximately 12 months will be devoted to experiential training in the core and elective components in the academic hospital as well as in satellite and other approved facilities.

Admission requirements

Admission to the Veterinary Science programme is by selection as the number of places in the programme is limited. Admission to the first year of the new programme commenced in 2011. Although the first year of the programme is presented on the Hatfield campus of the University, students admitted to the first year of the programme will be identified and known as BVSc I students. Applications will close on 31 May every year.

The minimum entry requirement is the National Senior Certificate (NSC) with the following subjects and levels of achievement: 

The M-score has been replaced with an Admission Point Score (APS), which will be calculated from the achievement score of the subjects listed above; the minimum APS will be 35 for the 2014 intake. School leavers will be provisionally selected on the basis of their Grade 11 results, NBT test and a value-added questionnaire. Selection will be confirmed on the basis of their Grade 12 results which will still have to meet the minimum requirements.

Please note that in order to obtain the NSC, all candidates have to obtain a level of achievement of at least 4 in Life Orientation which is a compulsory subject for all students; the achievement in this subject does not contribute to the calculation of the APS.

It is compulsory for all school-leaving candidates to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) specified by the Institution from time to time. Applicants who obtain a “Basic Performance” in the test will not be considered. Candidates who indicate BVSc as first choice will receive preference.

Selection forms part of the admission procedure as places in the programme are limited. New students are admitted in the following categories:

- school leavers without tertiary exposure,

- students with previous tertiary exposure,

- international students,

- students nominated by other bodies, and

- repeating students

Selection is based on academic merit. An interview may be required under specific circumstances

A limited number of foreign students may be admitted to the programme. Academic credits and equivalency of course content will be taken into consideration. A valid study permit must be obtained for the duration of the intended study period. Details on study permits can be obtained from any of the staff members of the Client Service Centre. Contact the CSC at 012 420 3111

Please also note that foreign students are subject to certain levies and differential study fees, details of which can also be obtained from the staff members of the Client Service Centre

Transformation in accordance with demography, gender and geographic distribution will be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Students who are unable to obtain admission due to an APS score below 30 may still obtain admission to the BSc four year programme offered at the Mamelodi campus provided they have the necessary subject combinations and an APS of 22 or more. These students may be able to transfer to the mainstream programme at the end of the third semester provided they have passed all their modules.

IMPLEMENTATION

Changing a programme from 7 to 6 years has major implications on the logistics of both old and new programmes in terms of facilities, timetables and human resources. The most important of these is to ensure that the final year (which is an experiential training year) of both programmes do not overlap as the current facilities and human resources (staff to student ratios) can only accommodate an absolute maximum of 140 students from the second year onwards. It is therefore inevitable that applicants and students will have to contend with transitional arrangements in the first few years of the new programme in order to ensure a smooth transition from the one to the other.