Thinking about becoming an Exotic Vet? A guide for future vets at school!
- DS
- Aug 1
- 5 min read
If you love reptiles, amphibians, birds or other unusual animals, becoming an exotic vet could be your dream job. It isn't easy and takes a lot of hard work, but if you enjoy science and helping animals it could be a really rewarding career.
Step 1- Start by doing well at school
The first step is getting good GCSE grades. Most universities look for good grades in:
Biology
Chemistry
Maths
English
Taking Triple Science can also help if your school offers it.
Step 2 - College or Sixth Form
After GCSEs, you will normally need A Levels. Most universities ask for Biology and Chemistry, with another subject as well.
For example, the University of Surrey asks for very high grades, so it is worth checking the entry requirements of different universities before you apply because they can all be slightly different.
Step 3 - Go to university
After A Levels you will need to study Veterinary Medicine at university. Veterinary degrees usually take around five years to complete. During your course you will learn about animal biology, anatomy, diseases, surgery and how to care for lots of different animals.
Step 4 - Get lots of work experience (during steps 1 – 3!)
One thing I found while doing my research is that good grades are important, but they are not the only thing universities look at.
Most vet schools also want applicants to have work experience. This could include volunteering or spending time at places like:
Veterinary practices
Animal rescue centres
Farms
Zoos
Wildlife parks
Animal education centres
This helps you understand what the job is really like and shows that you are committed.
I have completed the ASDAN in Animal Care Short Course and am working towards the and Certificate of Personal Effectiveness at The Reptile Academy, which has taken over 120-hours. Throughout these, I have completed over 40-hours of work experience in the animal centre.
Step 4 - Becoming an exotic vet
After qualifying as a vet, some people choose to work mainly with exotic animals such as reptiles, amphibians, birds and small mammals. Did you know that rabbits and guinea pigs are also classed as 'exotics'?
Some exotic vets work in specialist veterinary practices, while others work in zoos, wildlife hospitals or conservation projects.
Because exotic animals are all different, they need vets who understand their special care and health needs.
What does an exotic vet do?
An exotic vet might:
Diagnose illnesses and injuries.
Carry out operations.
Give vaccinations and medicines.
Help owners care for their animals properly.
Give advice on animal welfare.
Every day can be different, which is one of the reasons I think the job sounds so interesting.
What if becoming a vet isn't for you?
Not everyone will get the grades needed to become a vet, and that's okay. There are lots of other jobs working with animals, including:
Veterinary nurse
Animal keeper
Zoo keeper
Animal care assistant
Reptile specialist
Wildlife conservation officer
Animal education officer
There are lots of ways to have a career with animals.
Are there any alternative routes to A Levels?
Although most people apply to veterinary school with A Levels, some universities also accept certain BTEC qualifications or foundation courses. Every university is different, so it's always worth checking their entry requirements before you choose your college course.
For example, The University of Nottingham accepts a range of BTEC Level 3 qualifications for its Preliminary Year (Foundation) programme, including combinations of BTEC and A Levels.
The University of Edinburgh accepts a BTEC Extended Certificate in Applied Human Biology alongside A Levels in some cases, but not a full BTEC alone. This degree could then be used to apply for a postgraduate veterinary medicine entry. It means the total time at university would be longer but you don't have to totally rely on A Level results.
For some veterinary schools, like the RVC, standard entry is based on A Levels (AAA including Biology and Chemistry) only. So whilst BTECs are potential alternatives to A Levels, this will rule out some universities.
Another route to becoming a vet
Not everyone goes straight from A Levels to veterinary school, and that's okay.
Some people choose to study a science degree they love first, such as:
Biology (a broad science subject, chosen because people love the subject and this opens many postgraduate opportunities!)
Zoology (biology, but focused on animals without the plants!)
Animal Science (very similar to Zoology, often just a different name)
Veterinary Biosciences (this focuses on animals/zoology but on the medical research side, often chosen as an Insurance Choice when applying to Veterinary Medicine)
Bioveterinary Science (very similar to veterinary bioscience, some universities call it by a different name)
After finishing their degree, they may be able to apply for Veterinary Medicine as a graduate.
Most universities normally expect applicants to have at least a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant science subject. This means that the applicant has achieved an average grade of 60% and their degree has involved a research based dissertation (a big report).
Some universities may also look at what modules you studied, especially Biology and Chemistry, and they still want to see that you understand what being a vet is really like through work experience.
This route takes longer, but it can be a good option if you don't get onto a veterinary degree straight after college or if you decide later that becoming a vet is the career for you.
As always, every university has slightly different entry requirements, so it is important to check their websites before applying.
What is an insurance choice?
When you apply to university through UCAS, usually late in year 12 or early year 13 you usually choose two out of five universities:
Firm choice: This is your first-choice university that you really hope to go to. You could choose a Veterinary Medicine degree.
Insurance choice: This is your backup university in case you don't get the grades needed for your firm choice. You could choose a Veterinary Science degree.
For example, if your first choice asks for AAA at A Level but you get AAB, you might still be accepted by your insurance choice if their offer was AAB.
Choosing an insurance choice is a good idea because it gives you another opportunity to study the course you want if your exam results are different from what you expected.
My thoughts
I found this really interesting to research because I would like to work with animals in the future. Before I started this project, I didn't realise how much planning and hard work it takes to become an exotic vet.
If this is something you are interested in, my advice would be to work hard at school, especially in science, look for opportunities to get animal work experience, and keep learning as much as you can.
I think becoming an exotic vet would be an amazing career if you enjoy science and animals. It takes a lot of dedication and studying, but you get to help animals and make a difference to their lives.
Sources I Used
I used these websites to help me research this blog.
University of Surrey Veterinary Medicine Course
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/veterinary-medicine-and-science
University of Nottingham Veterinary Medicine
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
University of Nottingham Foundation Year Veterinary Medicine and Surgery including a Preliminary Year BVM BVS with BVMedSci BVMBVS (BVMedSci) | University of Nottingham
University of Edinburgh Veterinary Medicine (5-year programme) BVM&S entry requirements | The University of Edinburgh
RCVS How do I become a vet? | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
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