Master's Veterinary Medicine

The Master's program consists of 5 semesters and is and is made up of courses and clinical rotations.

The program is divided into a core curriculum and a specialization track. The core curriculum includes knowledge and skills that form the general foundation of veterinary practice. In the specialization track, students engage in-depth with specific topics.

Three clinical and two non-clinical specialization areas are available:

• Small Animals
• Equines
• Farm animals
• Pathobiology, Infectious Diseases, and Biomedical Research
• Veterinary Public Health

4th year

In the fourth year, instruction in the fundamental clinical subjects of veterinary medicine is expanded and deepened within the respective areas of focus.

5th and 5.5th years

With the exception of brief introductory modules, the final three semesters are entirely practice-oriented. This ensures that graduates gain learning experiences that correspond to the expected competencies required for their first day in the veterinary profession.

The curriculum for the final three semesters includes clinical rotations, extramural internships, as well as a designated period for the Master’s thesis.

Students are regularly assessed according to the Bologna-based ECTS system and local university regulations. The assessments are defined in the curriculum. Information about the examinations can be found on the central teaching and learning platform ILIAS of the University of Bern.

In principle, all ECTS credits for a given academic year must be earned before students can progress to the next year of study.

In order to obtain the Master’s degree, all assessments must be successfully completed.

Assessments may be repeated twice, giving a total of three attempts. The only exception is the Master’s thesis, which may be repeated only once.

Successful completion of the Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine entitles graduates to register for the Swiss Federal Examination in Veterinary Medicine (state examination).

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Veterinary Medicine (mono):

The number of students in the program is limited. Students will only be admitted if all admission requirements have been met and there is a place available.

The following students are eligible to participate in the master’s degree program (with admission restrictions):

1. Students who have successfully completed the bachelor's degree program in Bern in the semester prior to their first semester in the master’s degree program
2. Students who are permitted on the basis of assessment after taking a break following graduation from the bachelor's degree program in Bern
3. Students who have a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine awarded by a foreign university or an equivalent degree awarded by an education institution, which has been positively evaluated or accredited in accordance with the guidelines of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) or the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and provided that a place is available.

Application deadline: February 15; late applications are not possible
 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.
 

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the mono Master of Veterinary Medicine by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration

Successful completion of the Master’s program in Veterinary Medicine qualifies graduates to register for the federal examination in Veterinary Medicine (state examination). Only the Federal Diploma obtained by passing this examination entitles graduates to practice as a veterinarian and to work in all other areas of veterinary medicine in Switzerland.

After successfully passing the federal examination in Veterinary Medicine, many career paths become available. In addition to working in small animal, livestock, or equine practices, there are numerous opportunities for further development in specialized fields (specialization), public service, veterinary laboratory diagnostics, industry, or pursuing an academic career.

Further Education and Specialization

The Vetsuisse Faculty Bern and the Swiss Society of Veterinarians (GST) offer a wide range of continuing education opportunities in all areas.

At the faculty, one- to two-year practical training programs (internships) are offered in clinical fields as a foundation for European or Swiss specialization programs (residency / specialized veterinarian).

In research, in addition to traditional doctoral theses (Dr. med. vet), PhD programs are offered in collaboration with the Graduate Schools of the University of Bern.

Since 2024, a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in One Health has also been offered.

General information about academic career paths at the faculty can be found at the following link: Career Paths and Talent Development at the Vetsuisse Faculty Bern.