Admission Requirements
Admission Criteria
The School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) offers a 5 year comprehensive programme, leading to the award of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
Prior to matriculation at The School of Veterinary Medicine, you should have completed the programmes, which, in your home country, would have prepared you for entrance to a university in that country.
5-Year DVM - Entry Requirements
GENERAL MATRICULATION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum of five (5) CSEC (CXC) subjects (Gen. Prof grades I-III from 1998 onwards) and/or GCE O-Levels (grades A-C) including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and one other subject. Physics at CSEC or GCE O-Levels as a fifth subject is highly recommended for admission into the programme.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMISSION
The academic requirements for admission to the degree programme are based on the applicant's academic proficiency and attainment in any of the following:
APPLICANTS WITHOUT DEGREES
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) and / or General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced (‘A’) Level Examinations
Passes in three (3) two-Unit CAPE or three (3) A-Level subjects according to either one of the following schemes:
Scheme A:
Chemistry, Biology/Zoology and either Physics or Math
Scheme B:
Chemistry, Biology/Zoology, and any other A-Level subject.
Programmes/Courses which are considered equivalent to CAPE, at institutions recognised by The University of the West Indies.
Such applicants must have obtained three (3) passes in the approved examinations including Chemistry and Biology/Zoology. The third subject can be Physics, Mathematics or another approved subject.
Graduates of the Pre-Health Professions Programme
Applicants from The UWI St. Augustine Pre-Health Professions Programme may be considered for entry provided that they have attained a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average [GPA] of 3.0 and a minimum grade of B in each of the appropriate science subjects.
Transfers from the Faculties of Science & Technology and Food & Agriculture
Applicants seeking transfer from the Faculties of Science & Technology of The UWI & Faculty of Food and Agriculture at St. Augustine, will only be considered on completion of the Preliminary and/or Introductory courses of the programme. Such applicants must complete and submit a Transfer Form by the second Friday in January of the year of application.
The academic standard for entry will be based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average and performance in Chemistry, Biology and one other subject.
Transfers from the Faculty of Engineering
Applicants seeking transfer from the Faculty of Engineering with 'A-Level equivalent in Chemistry and Biology/Zoology will only be considered on completion of the Preliminary and/or Introductory courses of the programme. Such applicants must complete and submit a Transfer Form by the second Friday in January of the year of application.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Basic Medical Sciences (BBMEDSCI) Programme
Persons who are accepted into The UWI (Mona) three-year Bachelor of Basic Medical Sciences (BBMedSci) Degree programme shall not be permitted to transfer to the DVM programme at any time during their course but may apply for entry in any subsequent year after obtaining the degree. In such cases, exemptions of selected courses may be considered.
The academic standard for entry will be based on the cumulative Grade Point Average and performance in Chemistry and Biology with a minimum Grade Point Average greater than 2.5. High priority will be given to candidates who have passed Mathematics and Physics at the CSEC/CXC General Proficiency, ‘O-Level/BGCSE or equivalent foreign examinations.
HOLDERS OF ASSOCIATE DEGREES
A triple major Associate Degree in Sciences (Chemistry, Biology and a third subject) from an approved Community College with a Grade Point Average greater than 2.5 is the minimum academic standard acceptable for entry.
The Associate in Science Degree in General Agriculture from the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Jamaica with a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
APPLICANTS WITH UNIVERSITY DEGREES
Persons holding first degrees from The UWI's Faculty of Science & Technology with a minimum of lower second-class honours may be considered for entry.
The academic standard for entry will be based on the cumulative Grade Point Average and performance in Chemistry, Biology and one other subject.
Persons holding science degrees from a recognized university/community college other than The University of the West Indies may also be considered provided that:
- The university which granted the degree is recognised as competitive
- Credits have been obtained in Biology and Chemistry
Applicants with first degrees other than degrees in the natural sciences will also be considered provided that:
- The university which granted the degree is recognized as competitive
- Credits have been obtained in Chemistry and Biology and one other subject over two semesters during their university programme OR they hold at least Grades I/II passes in Chemistry and Biology at Units I & II CAPE, GCE ‘A-Level or approved equivalent.
Applicants with the International Baccalaureate (IB) satisfying the following conditions:
- Applicants should have successfully completed at least two of the appropriate subjects at higher level (HL) from group 4 and group 5 of the IB Programme.
- These subjects include mathematics, biology, physics and chemistry.
- Satisfactory completion of Language A1 (prior to 2013) and Language A (as of 2013). A score of 4 or above is considered to demonstrate proficiency in English Language at a standard that is expected in the Faculty.
APPPLICANTS WITH HIGHER DEGREES
Applicants holding a Masters/PhD in the Basic Sciences (e.g. Biology, Physics, Biochemistry, Pharmacology,Pathology, Microbiology, Forensic Science, Occupational Health), having met the relevant academic and non-academic requirements, may also be considered for entry.
The Faculty will not accept Masters in Allied Health or the Masters in Public Health as an entry criterion.
NON ACADEMIC (CO-CURRICULAR) CRITERIA
- An applicant's chances of entry will be enhanced by documented and certified involvement in extracurricular activities in the years prior to his/her application.
- In considering these activities, the University places emphasis on applicant's voluntary participation in community/social projects, although consideration is given to other co-curricular activities, experiences and abilities (music, sports, debating, proficiency in a foreign language, etc.).
- All applicants are required to submit certified evidence of their involvement in co-curricular activities in support of their application.
- Both the duration of involvement and level of responsibility of the applicant in each activity shall be taken into consideration and certified documents must state these clearly.
- In addition, applicants should submit a short 250 - 300 word autobiographical summary outlining the reasons for their career choice.
- Applicants may also be required to attend an interview.
- In addition to all of the above and over the next 5 years, the Faculty will be using a variety of aptitude and psychometric tests to assist the admissions committee in deciding on appropriate admissions to the Faculty.
ACADEMIC SCORING CRITERIA:
Maximum Score will be 30
PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH
Since English is the language of instruction at The School of Veterinary Medicine, it is essential that you demonstrate competence in the language. You must be able to understand rapid, idiomatic Standard English, as spoken in the classroom, have the ability to express thoughts quickly and clearly in spoken and written English, and read the language with ease. This proficiency must be achieved before you are admitted. If your native language is not English, the University requires that you submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as evidence that your English proficiency is satisfactory for study at The School of Veterinary Medicine.
