Study Veterinary Medicine Abroad from South Africa: Costs, Iași and the Way Back (2027)
10.10.2026
Short answer
Study veterinary medicine abroad from South Africa: one faculty at Onderstepoort at home, English-taught veterinary medicine in Iași from €6,000 a year.
Study veterinary medicine abroad from South Africa
In short: South Africa has exactly one veterinary faculty, at the University of Pretoria on the Onderstepoort campus. South African students who want a place elsewhere study veterinary medicine in English at the University of Life Sciences Iași in Romania, where tuition is €6,000 a year.
The BVSc at Onderstepoort takes six years and is taught in English. Everyone who wants to become a veterinarian in South Africa competes for the seats of this one faculty. Graduates complete 12 months of compulsory community service before they may practise for any other employer, and registration with the South African Veterinary Council is a prerequisite.
| Question | South Africa | Iași, Romania |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty | Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, the only one in the country | Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Iași |
| Language | English | English |
| Duration | Six years, then 12 months of community service | Six years |
| Tuition | South African fees | €6,000 a year, €3,000 per semester |
| Degree | BVSc | EU veterinary degree, recognised internationally |
Study veterinary medicine in Iași
In short: The University of Life Sciences Iași teaches veterinary medicine in English to international students. Tuition is €6,000 a year, the application is followed by an online conversation with the admissions committee, and Medschool Experts is the university's approved partner agency.
The English programme admits international students every year, and the application window runs from the end of April to the beginning of July. There is no written entrance test. The committee talks to you online and looks at your school results, with the sciences at the centre.
Medschool Experts
Study veterinary medicine abroad from South Africa
Medschool Experts places students at our 25+ partner universities abroad. 30 minutes, free and without obligation: we check your matric results and tell you where you can start next.
Request a free consultationRegistration in South Africa afterwards
In short: Registration with the South African Veterinary Council is a prerequisite for practising as a veterinarian in South Africa. The Council sets the requirements for foreign-qualified graduates, and the file starts in the first year: curriculum, transcripts and proof of clinical work.
Many graduates of an EU veterinary degree also work in Europe. The degree is recognised there, and the choice of country stays open until you finish.
Timeline
- January to April: matric results, free consultation and choice of university.
- End of April to early July: application and the online conversation with the committee.
- July to September: admission letter, student visa, accommodation.
- Autumn: first lecture.
Countries, costs and the steps for medicine are in our guide to studying medicine abroad from South Africa. South African applicants reach us fastest through the South Africa page.
The author's view
I am a dentist, not a veterinarian, and I started in Sofia at 24 in 2015. I know what it is to look at a country with one door and ask where the second one is.
My view: with a single faculty at home, a second route is a plan, not a fallback. Look at the programme in Iași on its own terms: English, six years, €6,000 a year.
Summary
South Africa has one veterinary faculty, at Onderstepoort. The University of Life Sciences Iași in Romania offers the six-year veterinary degree in English for €6,000 a year, as an EU degree.
Registration with the South African Veterinary Council is required to practise at home.
Conclusion
Send us your matric results, and request your free consultation. You will know within 30 minutes where you can start.
Study veterinary medicine abroad from South Africa: 6 questions and answers
Where can I study veterinary science in South Africa?
Only at the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria, on the Onderstepoort campus. It is the only faculty of its kind in the country.
How long does the BVSc take?
Six years, followed by 12 months of compulsory community service before a graduate may practise for any other employer.
Can South Africans study veterinary medicine abroad?
Yes. The University of Life Sciences Iași in Romania teaches veterinary medicine in English and admits international students. Medschool Experts arranges the place and the application.
What does veterinary medicine cost in Iași?
Tuition is €6,000 a year, which is €3,000 per semester.
Is the degree from Iași recognised?
Yes. It is an EU degree and it is recognised internationally.
Can I work as a veterinarian in South Africa with a degree from abroad?
Registration with the South African Veterinary Council is a prerequisite for practising in South Africa. The Council sets the requirements for foreign-qualified graduates, and we plan the file with you from the first year.
Further reading
What students say about Medschool Experts
Over 500 placements at 25+ partner universities across 10+ countries. See how our students experienced their path into medical school abroad in our student stories.
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Founder and owner of Medschool Experts, federally recognised dentist
Marcel Kloos is the founder and owner of Medschool Experts, a placement agency for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy degrees abroad. Since 2021 the team has secured more than 500 study places at 25+ partner universities in Europe and worldwide.
Study medicine abroad: Marcel's own path
Born in Stuttgart, Marcel started his degree late: at 24 he enrolled at the Medical University of Sofia, Faculty of Dental Medicine, and graduated in 2021 from the English-language programme. He went through the same steps his clients face today — nostrification of school certificates, entrance interviews, finding a flat in Sofia and later the recognition of a foreign degree. He is a federally recognised dentist.
What Marcel does at Medschool Experts
Today Marcel lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time. He visits every partner university in person, negotiates placement agreements directly with faculties and deans, and leads the free consultations in which applicants learn at which university they can start next semester. His YouTube channel on studying medicine abroad has helped thousands of applicants compare universities, costs and recognition.
Topics Marcel writes about
- Study medicine abroad independent of your high school diploma grades: universities, costs and admission
- Study dentistry, veterinary medicine or pharmacy in Europe in English
- Tuition fees and living costs at medical schools in Europe and worldwide
- Recognition of foreign medical degrees in the EU, Switzerland, the UK and the US
- Transferring between medical schools and returning home into a higher semester
All articles by Marcel Kloos are based on first-hand visits to the universities and conversations with current students. Book a free consultation to discuss your own path.
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