Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) has launched new graduate and post-graduate degree courses in veterinary biosciences.
The first tranche of undergraduate students will commence their studies at the beginning of the 2026/2027 academic year.
Northern Ireland remains the only region of the UK without its own school of veterinary medicine. This is at a time when demand for veterinary surgeons has never been higher.
There is now speculation that the commitment to the new veterinary biosciences courses could pave the way for QUB committing to its own school of veterinary medicine at some stage in the future.
Prof. Nikki Marks, from Queen’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “There is a lot of discussion about the possibility of bringing a degree in veterinary medicine into Northern Ireland.
“And this is very much an issue for the future.”
Meanwhile, the new degree in veterinary biosciences will offer an accelerated course completion opportunities for graduates wishing to enrol in schools of veterinary medicine around the UK.
It is envisaged that the completion of the new graduate course at QUB could bring a standard five-year course in veterinary medicine down to four years.
Prof. Marks explained: “Many of our modules will be fully compatible with those taught in schools of veterinary medicine.”
Veterinary biosciences
The new veterinary biosciences degree courses will be delivered to reflect the overarching principle – one world: one health.
According to Prof. Marks, animal health, human health, and our environment are inextricably linked.
She added: “This reality will be a key driving force for the new degree programme.
“Farming and food combined represents Northern Ireland’s largest economic sector. Driving improved sustainability within the industry is crucially important.”
The QUB professor highlighted that veterinary biosciences graduates will be “specifically qualified to make this happen”.
“Stakeholders within the farming and food sector want graduates with both strong theoretical and practical experience,” she said.
“The new courses have been developed with this core objective in mind.”
New technologies, including artificial intelligence, will be used to deliver the new courses. Prof. Marks envisages new drug development as being a key outcome of the new study and research programmes.
Meanwhile, a strong uptake for the new courses is envisaged.
Prof. Marks said: “We know this already, courtesy of survey work that has been carried out.”
“It is envisaged that the new veterinary biosciences offered at QUB will prove equally attractive to students from Northern Ireland and further afield.”
