Veterinary Medicine-Undergraduate at Estonian University of Life Sciences

Veterinary Medicine at Estonian University of Life Sciences

The Veterinary Medicine programme at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU) in Tartu, Estonia, is a full-time undergraduate programme designed to provide students with comprehensive theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and practical experience required for professional work in veterinary medicine. The programme is taught entirely in English, has a nominal duration of 6 years, and leads to the DVM (Degree in Veterinary Medicine).

Programme Overview

The curriculum covers the scientific foundations of veterinary medicine as well as the clinical and practical skills needed to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in animals. Students develop knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology, animal husbandry, reproduction, hygiene, nutrition, behaviour, welfare, disease management, food safety, and veterinary legislation.

The programme is intended to prepare graduates for professional activities in a wide range of veterinary-related fields, including clinical practice, government services, laboratories, veterinary organisations, pharmaceutical companies, research, and education.

Key Areas of Study

Students develop knowledge and skills in several important areas of veterinary medicine, including:

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Students acquire theoretical knowledge of the anatomical structures and physiological processes that form the scientific basis of veterinary practice.

Animal Husbandry, Nutrition and Reproduction

The curriculum covers animal husbandry, feeding, reproduction, hygiene, and the production and preservation of feeds according to animal needs.

Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Students learn about animal behaviour and the principles of animal protection and welfare.

Veterinary Diseases and Clinical Medicine

Students study the causes, development, effects, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of animal diseases. This includes diseases affecting individual animals or groups of animals, including diseases that may be transmitted to humans.

Food Hygiene and Food Safety

The programme includes knowledge of food hygiene and food safety requirements related to the production, processing, and marketing of foodstuffs of animal origin intended for human consumption.

Veterinary Legislation

Students become familiar with laws, regulations, and administrative requirements relevant to veterinary medicine.

Clinical and Practical Skills

A major component of the programme is the development of relevant clinical and practical experience. Students are prepared to apply scientific knowledge and contemporary methods when diagnosing, treating, and preventing animal diseases.

The programme aims to develop graduates who can combine scientific knowledge with practical veterinary skills and high ethical standards in their professional activities.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can work in a variety of veterinary and animal-health-related environments, including:

• Large and small animal veterinary practices
• Government veterinary services
• Veterinary and food laboratories
• Animal disease diagnostic services
• Veterinary institutions of the European Union
• International veterinary organisations
• Companies manufacturing and marketing veterinary medicines
• Veterinary research institutions
• Veterinary educational institutions

Graduates may also continue their education through doctoral studies or residency training to obtain specialist qualifications in particular areas of veterinary medicine.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed upper secondary education or higher. Educational documents must be submitted as certified copies together with official English translations where required.

Applicants must also provide proof of English language proficiency according to the university’s accepted requirements.

Admission Test and Motivation Letter

Admission is based on a ranking system with a maximum of 50 admission points. Up to 40 points can be obtained through the International Student Admission Test (ISAT), while the motivation letter can contribute up to 10 points.

The ISAT is a remotely delivered, three-hour aptitude test measuring critical reasoning and quantitative reasoning. For the 2026/2027 intake, the university states that ISAT results from tests taken no later than May 2026 are considered.

Applicants must also submit a motivation letter of no more than 2,500 characters, including spaces. The letter may address the applicant’s reasons for choosing veterinary medicine, strengths and weaknesses related to veterinary studies, previous education, relevant qualifications or experience, experience working with animals, and future career goals in veterinary medicine.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for the Veterinary Medicine programme is €9,800 per year.

Study Language and Duration

• Study language: English
• Study level: Undergraduate
• Duration: 6 years
• Degree awarded: DVM (Degree in Veterinary Medicine)
• Tuition fee: €9,800 per year
• Study location: Tartu, Estonia
• Studies commence: 1 September 2026

Professional Development

The programme also provides a foundation for lifelong professional education in veterinary medicine. Graduates can continue developing their professional expertise through further academic study, specialist residency training, and continuing education in different areas of veterinary practice.