Have you ever imagined treating and caring for animals when they are sick and injured?
Then you might want to consider a career in Veterinary Medicine.
Why study in Malaysia?
1. No language barrier
Studying in Malaysia is actually pretty easy. English is the second official language after Bahasa Malaysia and almost everyone in the nation can speak English fluently, making it easier for local and even international students to converse.
2. Affordable cost of living
The cost of living in Malaysia is much more affordable than studying abroad like in the US, UK and Australia. For local students, studying in certain parts of Malaysia makes it easier for you to travel around.
3. A destination for higher education
Malaysia prides itself as a famous destination for higher education welcoming international students from all around the globe. Many foreign universities, especially from the UK, Australia and Ireland, have their branch campuses here.
4. Job opportunities after graduation
Many graduates want to work in Malaysia, including international students. The post-graduate work permit allows graduates to stay back and work to get a Malaysian work experience.
What is Veterinary Medicine about?
Veterinary medicine is a field of study related to the health and treatment for animals. It encompasses of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, medical research and other medical procedures in relation to animals.
Modern veterinary medicine involves the use of drugs, surgeries and counselling for pet owners. Traditional medicine or homoeopathy is also used in treatments.
The challenge lies in communicating with your patients. They cannot speak nor present complaints to pain and it is a vet’s specialty to diagnose and treat them. But fear not - it is a rewarding profession nonetheless!
What are the branches in Veterinary Medicine?
There are various fields in veterinary medicine such as :
- Anatomy: The study of the physical structure of animal bodies
- Anaesthesiology: Pain relief for animals
- Dentistry: Study of dental care
- Dermatology: Diseases and conditions related to the skin
- Internal Medicine: Diagnosis and treatment of illness related to heart, brain and tumours
- Zoology: Care of zoo animals, wildlife and aquatic animals
- Nutrition: The study on how food and drinks affect animal health and how they treat, cure and prevent diseases
- Pathology: The study of diseases and causes eg.autopsy
- Pharmacology: The study of uses, effects and modes of actions of drugs
- Surgery: Involves the uses of surgical intervention
What are the important skills that I need in this field?
You need a number of skills to be in this field. Veterinary medicine is a delicate and minute field which highly emphasises animal lives. Here are the three important skills to have in this field.
1. Keen interest in animals and science
To pursue veterinary medicine, one must be highly interested in scientific knowledge related to animals and wildlife. Veterinary medicine covers a wide range of animal functions and wellbeing, as well as infectious diseases related to humans that can spread to animals.
2. Good relationship skills with animals
Your patients, unfortunately, can’t speak nor complain about their discomfort. It is solely a vet’s specialty to diagnose and treat the animals. As a vet, you will also need to communicate effectively with pet owners in matters like medications and instructions.
3. Ability to work under pressure
Veterinary medicine is one of the toughest industries due to its demand and importance. If you are someone who can work under pressure and diagnose & solve issues efficiently, you won't have a problem in this field.
How long will I be studying in this programme?
The study duration could vary from one institute to another. However, as a general estimate, we have compiled a general estimate of the duration according to the study levels and qualifications.
Foundation/A levels: 1 - 1.5 years
Undergraduate Degree: 5 years
Master’s Degree/PhD: 1 - 3 years
What are the entry requirements and qualifications?
Upon completion of a veterinary medicine degree, graduates can apply to be a registered veterinary surgeon under the Malaysian Veterinary Council. In order to practice in Malaysia, you need to apply for an Annual Practising Certificate.
To successfully get admission into a veterinarian degree or pathway programme, you must meet the minimum academic and entry-level English language requirements.
However, requirements could vary according to institutions. We advise you to refer to the institutions directly for more details.
Pre-University:
- SPM with a minimum of 5Bs in relevant Science subjects (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology), including a credit in Bahasa Malaysia
Bachelor’s Degree:
- Foundation / A levels in Science
- Minimum Bs in 4 relevant subjects in STPM, including English with minimum CGPA of 3.0
Master’s Degree:
- Completed any relevant Veterinary Medicine Degree or any equivalent International Degree with minimum CGPA 3.0 from a recognised Institute or any equal International Institute.
- 1 year working experince
English language requirements:
- TOEFL iBT score of 46 and above
- MUET Band 3 and above
- IELTS score of 5.5 and above
How much are the average tuition fees?
The average tuition fees for veterinary medicine can vary from one institute to another according to different levels and qualifications. For some institutions, the average estimated tuition fees range between RM 2,000 - RM 8,000 per semester.
What are the job opportunities in Veterinary Medicine?
There are a number of job opportunities for veterinary medicine graduates. The right job will depend on your personal skills, preference and personality.
Here are the career choices available along with the estimated monthly income.
Veterinary Surgeon: RM 5,500
Veterinary Scientist: RM 5,500
Livestock Inspector: RM 6,000
Marine Biologist: RM 6,000
Wildlife Veterinarian: RM 6,000
Best universities in Malaysia that offer Veterinary Medicine courses
Image source: CollegeTimes
Veterinary medicine is one of the demanding courses to pursue and it is also important to join credible and reliable institutes that offer this programme. Here are two universities in Malaysia that offer veterinary medicine:
1. University Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Ranked 143rd in the QS Global World Rankings 2022, Universiti Putra Malaysia offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the field of veterinary and animal sciences in their Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. UPM maintains its traditional role of education in focussing its tertiary level research on agriculture and its relevant areas.
2. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan is a public university located in Kelantan, Malaysia. It was established in 2007 and began its student recruitment in the same year. The university currently has nine faculties and three academic centres for students to use. It is one of the few universities in Malaysia that offers Veterinary Medicine programmes for students.
