Requirements to become a veterinarian
To practice as a veterinarian, you must first pass a competition. For this, it is strongly advised to have a scientific baccalaureate.
There are 4 different competitions, which are taken at least 2 years after the baccalaureate:
- Competition A : after a baccalaureate S, the student completes 2 years of “preparatory” BCPST (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences). The preparatory classes are located in certain high schools in large cities in France. Students are received there on file.
Preparing for veterinary training is therefore not easy. The “prep” requires 2 years of intensive work to prepare for the competition. These 2 years of training also allow access to many other competitions (schools of geology, etc.). The vast majority of veterinary students come from this sector.
- Competition B : it is open to students who have validated their 2nd year of a “Life Sciences” license, i.e. 120 ECTS (bac + 2 level). They can then try to become a veterinarian.
- VScompetition C : it is intended for students with certain DUT (University Diploma of Technology), a BTSA (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur Agricole) or BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur), and who wish to be a veterinarian.
- Competition D : it is reserved for people with a doctorate in medicine, dentistry or pharmacist, or holders of a master’s degree in biology.
Veterinary schools
It exists 4 schools to become a veterinarian in France: Toulouse, Nantes, Lyon and Maisons-Alfort.
The students who pass the competition are assigned to it according to their choice and their place in the competition.
Veterinarian training is a sector extremely selective. There are only about 500 places per year in France.
You have to be passionate about animals, and very strong in mathematics and biology.
Training of the veterinarian
It is necessary to count at least 7 years old of studies.
After the competition, the first 4 years lead to obtaining the DEFV (Diploma of Fundamental Veterinary Studies).
Theoretical training is accompanied by several weeks of internship, including a minimum of 4 abroad.
Then the veterinary students do 1 year of pre-specialization, at the end of which they defend their thesis and have the right to practice the profession of veterinarian. A second specialization course, in 1 to 3 years, is then accessible.
Content updated on 04/25/2012
Our tips:
If you want to join a “prep”, find out at the start of the Terminale class. Open days are organized by the high schools, which allows you to discover the world of the “prepa”. To apply for these preparatory classes, you must go through the Admissions post-bac site.
Many students go to study abroad, especially in Belgium. Training as a veterinarian is said to be easier there. Belgium nevertheless tends to limit the number of French students.
The profession of veterinarian offers multiple opportunities: clinical care, surgery, the public sector (inspector, teacher, etc.).
Attention: the “city” specialties are beginning to be saturated. On the other hand, there is a lack of veterinarians in the countryside.