Migration QueenChoosing the right veterinary school is an important step toward becoming a qualified veterinarian. Canada is home to several respected veterinary colleges offering professional training in animal health, disease prevention, surgery, clinical diagnosis, livestock management, wildlife health, and veterinary research. However, getting admitted can be challenging because veterinary medicine programs have limited seats and demanding academic requirements.
If you are searching for the best Veterinary Schools In Canada, it is important to look beyond university rankings. You should also consider admission requirements, tuition fees, clinical training, available specializations, language requirements, scholarships, and whether the program is recognized for professional licensing.
Canada has five established veterinary colleges offering professional veterinary medicine programs: the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire at Université de Montréal, the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary.
This guide examines these institutions, explains what prospective students should know before applying, and explores the costs and career opportunities associated with studying veterinary medicine in Canada.
Admission criteria, tuition fees, application deadlines, residency restrictions, and international-student eligibility can change. Always confirm the current requirements with the institution before applying.
Without further ado, let’s proceed…
Veterinary Schools In Canada
- Atlantic Veterinary College (Prince Edward Island, Canada)
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire -Université de Montréa (Québec, Canada)
- Ontario Veterinary College(Ontario, Canada)
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine (Saskatchewan, Canada)
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – University of Calgary (Alberta, Canada)
- Granville College (British Columbia)
- TRU Animal Health Technology (British Columbia, Canada)
- College Of Veterinarians of Ontario (Ontario, Canada)
- Toronto Academy of Veterinary Medicine (Ontario, Canada)
- Association or organization · Concord, Ontario TCT, Canada)
- University Veterinary Clinic (British Columbia, Canada)
- College of Veterinarians of B.C. (British Columbia, Canada)
- Royal City Animal Hospital (Ontario, Canada)
- WCVM Large Animal Clinic and Field Service (Veterinary Medical Centre)Â – (Saskatchewan, Canada)
- Sprott Shaw College Victoria (British Columbia, Canada)
- Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (Alberta, Canada)
- Northern College Haileybury Campus (Ontario, Canada)
- Medical Education Programs premedical postbac NACOSCE QE1 USMLE (Ontario, Canada
- NVA Canada (Ontario, Canada)
- Department of Clinical Studies (Ontario, Canada)
- University of Prince Edward Island – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (PE, Canada)
- University of Guelph. – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ontario, Canada)
Best Veterinary Schools in Canada
The best veterinary school for you depends on your academic background, preferred area of veterinary medicine, financial circumstances, residency status, and long-term career plans. Below are the top five veterinary schools in Canada.
- Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM)
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire (FMV)
- Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC)
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM)
These institutions are recognized Canadian veterinary education providers. Nevertheless, the order in which they appear here is not a definitive ranking of academic quality. Students should compare their individual requirements and opportunities before deciding where to apply.
Now let’s talk about them in details:
1. Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Veterinary degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
The Ontario Veterinary College is one of Canada’s best-known veterinary education institutions. It forms part of the University of Guelph and has a long history of training veterinarians, conducting animal-health research, and supporting clinical veterinary services.
Students considering veterinary schools in Canada should put OVC on their research list because of its combination of professional education, clinical facilities, and research opportunities.
Why Choose the Ontario Veterinary College?
OVC offers a four-year DVM program designed to prepare students for professional veterinary practice. Students learn about animal anatomy, physiology, disease processes, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, preventive medicine, and professional responsibilities.
Its clinical facilities support training with companion animals and large animals. These include a Large Animal Hospital, a Small Animal Primary Healthcare Centre, a referral companion-animal hospital, an Animal Cancer Centre, and other specialized facilities. Students also have opportunities to participate in research and develop communication and business-management skills.
Admission requirements
Admission to the OVC DVM program is highly competitive. Applicants must satisfy the current academic prerequisites and non-academic requirements.
- A strong application generally involves:
- Excellent performance in prerequisite university courses.
- Completion of the required science courses.
- Evidence of informed interest in veterinary medicine.
- Relevant animal-related and veterinary experiences.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Preparation for the responsibilities and challenges of professional veterinary practice.
Applicants should not assume that good grades alone guarantee admission. OVC assesses academic and non-academic attributes, and its requirements can differ according to the applicant category.
Tuition and financial planning
Veterinary education can be expensive, particularly for international students. Tuition should therefore be investigated before an applicant commits to the program.
The University of Guelph publishes tuition and compulsory fees according to program and student cohort. Applicants should check the current DVM fee schedule rather than relying on tuition figures from an older academic year.
In addition to tuition, students should budget for accommodation, food, transportation, textbooks, equipment, health insurance where applicable, and other living expenses.
Who should consider OVC?
OVC may be worth considering if you want a well-established veterinary college with teaching hospitals, research opportunities, and exposure to different areas of clinical practice.
However, prospective students should assess their admission eligibility, budget, and likelihood of meeting the prerequisites before making it their first choice.
For more information about OVC, visit: https://www.uoguelph.ca/programs/undergraduate
2. Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Veterinary degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine is another major option for students researching Veterinary Schools in Canada. It is part of the University of Saskatchewan and serves veterinary education, research, and clinical needs across Western Canada.
Its professional program prepares students to care for companion animals, livestock, horses, and other animal species. This broad training is useful for students who have not yet decided whether they want to work in small-animal practice, food-animal medicine, mixed practice, or another veterinary field.
What makes WCVM different?
One important feature of WCVM is its regional admission arrangement. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Canada’s northern territories have designated pathways and subsidized seats for eligible applicants. Consequently, an applicant’s residency can significantly affect their eligibility and admission prospects.
The university’s published admissions information explains that Alberta residents are not eligible to apply through the usual WCVM regional pathway. Alberta applicants should investigate the University of Calgary’s veterinary program instead. Rules depend on the applicant category, so candidates should read the current admission manual carefully.
WCVM’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program is four years long. The first three years focus primarily on preclinical instruction, including lectures, seminars, and laboratory work. The final year is devoted largely to clinical training alongside veterinary professionals at the Veterinary Medical Centre.
Admission requirements
WCVM requires university-level prerequisite courses before admission. Its published requirements include courses in areas such as:
- Biology with laboratory work.
- Chemistry with laboratory work.
- Organic chemistry.
- Biochemistry.
- Genetics.
- Introductory microbiology.
- Physics with laboratory work.
- Statistics.
- English or communications.
- Indigenous studies.
- Elective courses.
The current requirements specify 60 credit units of pre-veterinary coursework and a minimum cumulative average of 75% across university courses. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee an offer because selection is competitive. Applicants must also meet the relevant residency and other admissions requirements.
Career opportunities
WCVM can be an attractive option for students interested in veterinary work connected to agriculture and rural communities. Its graduates may pursue careers in companion-animal practice, food-animal medicine, equine practice, research, government, public health, diagnostic services, and academia.
Veterinarians who work with livestock can contribute to herd health, disease prevention, food safety, animal welfare, and the productivity of agricultural operations. Those who prefer companion animals can pursue clinical careers treating pets such as dogs and cats.
Who should consider WCVM?
WCVM deserves particular consideration if you live in Western Canada or one of the northern territories and meet its regional eligibility rules.
Students interested in livestock, rural veterinary services, and mixed-animal practice may also find its educational focus relevant to their goals. However, if you live outside its eligible regional categories, do not assume that you can apply through the same route as a local resident.
For more information about Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan visit: https://www.usask.ca/
3. Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal
Location: Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Veterinary degree: Doctorat de premier cycle en médecine vétérinaire, commonly referred to as the DMV
The Faculté de médecine vétérinaire is an important option for students who want to study veterinary medicine in French.
Located in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, the faculty is part of Université de Montréal. It provides professional veterinary education and offers additional opportunities for advanced study and research in veterinary science.
Why consider Université de Montréal?
One of the faculty’s most important distinguishing features is its French-language learning environment. Students should be comfortable studying scientific and clinical material in French and communicating professionally in that language.
The professional program prepares students to understand animal health, diagnose diseases, recommend treatment, and provide veterinary care. As with other veterinary colleges, students need a strong foundation in biological and medical sciences and must develop clinical reasoning and communication skills.
The faculty also offers advanced study opportunities in veterinary sciences and related research fields. These can be relevant for students who later want to investigate animal diseases, veterinary epidemiology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, or other scientific subjects.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements differ according to an applicant’s educational background. The university has distinct application pathways for candidates whose previous studies were completed in Quebec and those who have studied at university or outside Quebec.
For the 2027 intake, the university’s published admissions information identifies November 1, 2026, as the application deadline for candidates who have studied at university or outside Quebec, and March 1, 2027, for candidates whose studies have been exclusively at the Quebec college level. The associated French-language proficiency deadlines are different for these groups. Applicants must confirm which pathway applies to them and check for updates before submitting an application.
Because the program is taught in French, language proficiency is a major consideration for international applicants. Applicants educated in another language should investigate the university’s accepted proof of French proficiency and the standard required for their admission category.
Program capacity and competition
Veterinary programs cannot admit every qualified applicant because clinical teaching requires suitable facilities, instructors, and supervised animal-care opportunities.
Université de Montréal publishes limited intake capacity and admission statistics for its veterinary medicine program. Its published information for the 2027 intake identifies 120 places across the Saint-Hyacinthe and Rimouski campuses, distributed among different applicant categories. The actual number available to a particular applicant depends on the applicable pathway and the selection process. Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue veterinary practice, research, animal-health services, public health, government work, and other roles connected to animal medicine. Depending on their interests and further training, they may work with companion animals, livestock, horses, or other species.
Students who intend to practise outside Quebec should check the licensing requirements in the province or country where they hope to work. Language requirements, professional registration, and other regulatory conditions may differ.
Who should consider Université de Montréal?
This school may be a strong option if you are fluent in French or are prepared to meet the required language standard. It is also worth investigating if you want a French-language veterinary education and access to further study in veterinary science.
For applicants who are not proficient in French, the language of instruction is an important practical consideration that should be addressed before applying.
For more information about Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, visit: https://registraire.umontreal.ca/accueil/
4. Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island
Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Veterinary degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
The Atlantic Veterinary College is part of the University of Prince Edward Island. It is a significant veterinary education institution serving Atlantic Canada while also welcoming eligible applicants from other regions and countries.
For students comparing Veterinary Schools in Canada, AVC is worth considering because of its clinical training, supportive learning environment, and opportunities to explore different veterinary fields.
Clinical training and learning opportunities
AVC’s DVM program prepares students for careers in animal health, public health, research, and veterinary practice.
Students gain experience in companion-animal, large-animal, and equine medicine, as well as opportunities to explore other areas of veterinary practice. The college’s veterinary referral hospital supports learning from clinical cases involving different species and health conditions. Students can also pursue electives that help them investigate specialist interests.
A veterinary student must develop much more than knowledge of animal anatomy and disease. Clinical training also involves learning how to take medical histories, examine patients, interpret diagnostic findings, explain treatment options to owners, and make decisions that protect animal welfare.
AVC’s combination of academic learning and supervised clinical experience is relevant to students preparing for those responsibilities.
Admission requirements
Admission to AVC is competitive and considers academic achievement alongside non-academic qualities. The college evaluates applicants through a structured process, and candidates should consult the current applicant guide for the requirements that apply to their category.
For the 2026–2027 application cycle, AVC’s published admissions information identifies academic achievement, the CASPer situational-judgment assessment, an interview based on animal and veterinary experiences, and a personal essay as components of its selection process. The published weighting assigns 40% to academic achievement, 20% to CASPer, 30% to the interview, and 10% to the personal essay. Applicants should verify the current process before applying.
Opportunities for Canadian and international students
AVC has historically served Atlantic Canadian provinces through subsidized seats, with other admission routes for applicants from elsewhere. Its current admissions information also describes unsubsidized seats for Canadian and international applicants.
For the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, AVC announced an expansion of its incoming class from 70 to 95 students, with the expanded cohort associated with the Class of 2031. The college also explained that applicants must follow the appropriate pathway for subsidized or unsubsidized places. An unsubsidized place can involve tuition costs comparable to international tuition rates, so applicants should examine the financial implications carefully.
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue private veterinary practice, specialty medicine, research, industry, government service, and academia. Students interested in aquatic animals or other specialized areas may wish to investigate the college’s relevant courses, clinical experiences, and research opportunities.
Professional licensing is a separate step from graduating. AVC explains that students in their final year take the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) as part of the pathway toward professional licensure, subject to the rules of the relevant licensing jurisdiction.
Who should consider AVC?
AVC may suit students seeking a clinical learning environment with opportunities to work with different animal species. It is especially relevant for applicants who qualify for the Atlantic provinces’ subsidized admission pathways.
International students and applicants from other Canadian provinces should compare the unsubsidized route, tuition, living expenses, and eligibility requirements before deciding whether AVC is financially realistic.
For more information about Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island visit: https://www.upei.ca/avc
5. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Veterinary degree: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is Alberta’s veterinary school and offers a DVM program designed to prepare students for a broad range of veterinary careers.
Its curriculum and clinical training model make it an option worth examining for applicants interested in livestock, equine medicine, ecosystem health, public health, or research.
What makes the University of Calgary distinctive?
The university’s DVM program uses an integrated core-and-elective curriculum over four years. Students develop foundational knowledge, clinical reasoning, diagnostic skills, professional communication, and practical veterinary abilities.
The program includes four areas of emphasis:
- Production animal health: Individual and population health for food-producing and other production animals.
- Ecosystem and public health: The relationship between animal health, human health, wildlife, environmental systems, food safety, and public health.
- Equine health: Veterinary care for horses and the needs of the horse industry.
- Investigative medicine: Comparative medicine and biomedical research.
These areas give students opportunities to explore interests that extend beyond conventional companion-animal practice.
A distributed clinical training model
One feature of Calgary’s program is its use of clinical partners and external practice settings. Students gain clinical experience through university facilities, partner veterinary practices, and other learning environments.
The final year includes 40 weeks of practicum rotations and two weeks for assessment, delivered across a full calendar year from May to April. Many rotations take place outside the main campus in partner practices and other veterinary settings. Students must plan for the travel involved, including travel between campus locations and clinical placements.
This approach exposes students to real clinical environments and different approaches to veterinary care. However, applicants should consider whether they are comfortable with a program that requires travel to distributed learning sites.
Admission and professional licensing
Prospective students should review Calgary’s current admission prerequisites, academic selection criteria, residency rules, and other requirements. Because admissions policies can change, applicants should not rely on general descriptions in place of the official application instructions.
Accreditation is also an important factor. The university reports that its veterinary program is accredited by the CVMA/AVMA Council on Education. Graduates must still meet the requirements of the jurisdiction in which they intend to practise, including the applicable licensing examination and provincial registration requirements.
Who should consider the University of Calgary?
Calgary may be an appealing option for students interested in production-animal health, equine medicine, public health, ecosystem health, or biomedical research.
It is also worth considering for students who value practical experience through a network of veterinary practices and clinical partners. Applicants should evaluate the curriculum, location, costs, and current eligibility rules before deciding.
For more information about Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary visit: https://vet.ucalgary.ca/
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Canada have good vet schools?
Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) is the oldest veterinary college in North America. It is recognized by the AVMA-COE (American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education). It also holds the status of Full Accreditation
- Is it easier to get into vet school in Canada?
The bracketed numbers are regional allocations; so there are totally just under 300 spots available annually for veterinarians, making it the hardest program to get into in Canada and for every successful applicant there are 700 to 1000 rejected. This makes for harsh unforgiving standards and tough competition.
- Is vet school free in Canada?
The average cost of a graduate degree in veterinary medicine is $10,099. The estimated cost of an undergraduate degree in pre-veterinary studies is $63,323. For just tuition, not including accommodations or other necessities. This is based on tuition fees for the 2019-2020 school year.
· Can international students study veterinary medicine in Canada?
Yes, some Canadian veterinary colleges accept international applicants. However, eligibility differs by institution. International students should check the admission pathway, tuition, language requirements, immigration rules, and professional licensing implications before applying.
- How long is vet school in Canada?
It takes four years to complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in Canada. The final year of veterinary school usually includes practical training/clinical training, also known as rotations. This training provides hands-on experience working with animals and their caregivers
· Do veterinary students need to take the NAVLE?
The NAVLE is a major requirement in the North American veterinary licensing process. Graduates must follow the rules of the relevant licensing jurisdiction, including examination and registration requirements. Students should confirm the current rules that apply to their intended place of practice.
· Can I receive a scholarship to study veterinary medicine in Canada?
Scholarships and bursaries may be available through universities, governments, professional organizations, and research programs. Eligibility and award values vary. Contact the institution’s financial-aid office and investigate the conditions for each award before including it in your budget.
Final Note
To be a better veterinarian you will have to go to the best veterinary school you can find. To help you make a first step to this great career, we have carefully listed out the best veterinary schools you can find in Canada.
All you have to do is go through them, mind you, some have higher tuition fees than other which you have to consider, and also the distance from where you live is another factor you should consider as you select a veterinary school. So take this first step and select from our list of best veterinary schools in Canada.
The best choice depends on more than reputation. Your academic preparation, residency status, language proficiency, financial resources, and professional goals all matter.
Reference
reviewsxp.com – Vet Schools In Canada
cahi-icsa.ca – Canadian Veterinary Schools
wikipedia.org
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Migration Queen