Applying to study in Zoology
Students' view
What Cambridge offers you
Cambridge is one of the world's oldest and most renowned universities. What we offer you is an opportunity to spend your university years in the company of the brightest and the best of your own generation. The success of Cambridge is based on our continued ability to attract students and staff like you. Our students are passionate about excellence in veterinary medicine but they are also looking for a broader education. For some this is found on the rowing for their college, at the concert hall in West Road, or at the Union Society; for others it comes from the opportunity to learn from inspirational teachers, internationally recognised researchers, and the finest minds of the previous generation. Cambridge is awash with talent in every sphere of human endeavour. In this environment you cannot fail to develop to your full potential.
As one of the smaller veterinary schools Cambridge is able to offer a far more personal and individualised experience. You will not be part of an education factory. From the outset you will receive teaching in small groups (of 4-6), and through to the final year you will be treated as an individual and not just another anonymous veterinary student.
Preconceptions about Cambridge
Our greatest fear is that those of you who could flourish at Cambridge might be put off from applying due to false preconceptions. We take considerable care to assess applications and interview every applicant with an open mind.
If you are considering a career as a veterinarian you are probably aware that the university entrance qualifications for all the vet schools are quite stringent but the requirements for Cambridge are no higher than those for the other schools. Cambridge does value academic excellence but we look beyond your grades and marks acquired at school to select individuals who can take the greatest advantage of the education we can offer. There are many facets to intellect and intelligence; there is no such thing as the 'typical' Cambridge student. We try to select students who have an empathy and suitability for the clinical work of veterinary practice, but we also look for broader interests and abilities that enable vets to contribute to the development of the profession, for example in research, public health and animal welfare. Most of all we look at you as an individual; what your aspirations are and how we can help you achieve your full potential.
Cambridge is not populated by geeky academics or Hooray Henries (although like most universities we do have a few). Our students are most likely to be similar to yourself. They work hard and they enjoy life to the full. They are bright and motivated and should you come and join us you will find that learning in their company is an exhilarating experience.
In every veterinary course there is a heavy burden of veterinary facts to learn in order to be a competent veterinarian but the facts alone do not prepare you for a veterinary career. We need to teach you how to make treatment and diagnosic decisions for new and emerging diseases, we need to prepare you for lifelong learning and the ability to develop throughout your clinical career. At Cambridge we exercise your intellectual muscles in order to give you the best possible foundations on which to build a career as a vet that may last 50 years or more. Your time at Cambridge will go by far too quickly and in the years that follow you will appreciate how much you gained from your time here in addition to your licence to practice veterinary medicine.