The University of Veterinary Medicine
Košice, Eastern Slovakia

History and Facts

• UVM is located in the beautiful and historic city of Košice in Eastern Slovakia. In terms of size and importance, Košice ranks second after the Slovak capital, Bratislava.
• 1949 - The University was established and it is an independent, monofaculty University offering advanced degrees in the Veterinary Sciences.
• Since its inception it has ranked first among Slovaks wishing to pursue an international career in Veterinary Medicine.
• Unlike other Central European Universities, English-language instruction is not new to UVM, as the University has a 15-year history teaching the art and science of veterinary medicine in English to foreign students.

University Advantages

• UVM offers two English degree programs, both of which lead to the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). 1) Six year degree program in General Veterinary Medicine designed for high school graduates; 2) Four year degree program in General Veterinary Medicine designed for applicants with a BSc in Life Sciences.
• Tuition at UVM is roughly half the price of comparable programs in the UK, and a third less than English language Veterinary programs offered in other Central European Countries.
• Small classes of about 10 students per class.
• Students at UVM start to work directly with animals in their first year of study, obtaining the necessary experience needed
• The University is a member of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), the Advisory Committee on Veterinary Training and the Standard Operating Procedures.
• UVM premises include unique resources including on campus biomedical libraries and a nearby University Farm, as well as an adjacent wildlife centre for wild animals, bees and fish
• UVM is one of the few Universities outside the United Kingdom that is recognized by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; whereas a degree from the UVM automatically qualifies graduates for membership in the RCVS, enabling Veterinary Doctors to practice legally in the UK without having to take additional entrance exams
• Through the International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA) UVM students are enabled to participate in Veterinary practice abroad.
• UVM also has active links in the field of scientific and research work, allowing students and teachers to participate in exchange programs

Courses Offered

UVM offers two main programmes of study leading to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree:

• A six year programme for secondary school graduates
• A four year programme for applicants with a bachelor's degree in science (BSc) or at least four semesters of University level coursework in Life Sciences.

Both programmes are taught exclusively in English and lead to a D.V.M. degree recognized by the RCVS.

In general, the study programme follows the basic outline below:

Six-Year D.V.M. Degree Programme

The six-year programme at UVM consists of courses held in Košice, Slovakia, over six academic years. Each academic year is divided into two semesters with a substantial winter and summer break. The programme is rigorous, with students taking roughly 13 classes per year. A brief overview is as follows:

Year I

Students develop a basic understanding of the Life Sciences underpinning veterinary medicine and become familiar with veterinary and medical terms.

Year II

Students delve more deeply into the Life Sciences, particularly anatomy, physiology and veterinary genetics. Students start studying microbiology and learn about animal nutrition and feeding.

Year III

Students work in the field with animals to support their classroom learning in toxicology, animal hygiene and pharmacology. Students are exposed to imaging diagnostics, and focus on clinical diagnostics and treatment of diseases.

Year IV

Students continue working in the field, honing their skills and learning new ones as they work on a variety of animals, from small fur animals to ruminants and swine.

Year V

Surgery techniques become a main focus in the final year of study, as students investigate various animal diseases as well as learn animal obstetrics and gynaecology.

Year VI

Studying the clinical subjects in winter semester. State blocks with completing the programme by the obligatory State examination and defending the thesis in spring semester.

Four-Year D.V.M. Degree Programme

The four-year programme at UVM consists of 38 total courses held in Košice, Slovakia, over four academic years*. Each academic year is divided into two semesters with a substantial winter and summer break. The programme is rigorous, especially in the second year. A brief overview is as follows:

Year I

Students delve more deeply into the Life Sciences, particularly anatomy, physiology and veterinary genetics. Students start studying microbiology and learn about animal nutrition and feeding.

Year II

Students work intensively in the field, supporting their classroom learning in toxicology, animal hygiene and pharmacology with hands-on learning. Imaging diagnostics and treatment of diseases is introduced and explored.

Year III

Students continue working in the field, honing their skills and learning new ones as they work on a variety of animals, from small fur animals to ruminants and swine. Surgery techniques are introduced.

Year IV

Students spend half a semester gaining mastery of surgery techniques for animal diseases as well as animal obstetrics and gynaecology. They practice the clinical subjects and complete the programme by the obligatory State examination and defend the thesis.

* Students prepare for, and take, obligatory state exams after the completion of their 3rd year.

Application Requirements for Initial Application:

• Completed UVM Košice application form
• A 12 year proof of Secondary Education. High School Certificate and grades - (a copy signed by a notary)
• Proof of payment of application and registration for the exams fee. [Early Admissions €165 (01.01.08 - 30.04.08) and Late Admissions €180 (01.05.08 - 31.07.08). If a student wishes to apply to three Universities then he/she could pay the amount of €195]
• A' levels are not required as it is an International programme. Nevertheless it is advisable that the students follow courses in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in their school, as that would allow them to do better in their exams.
• There is no English Requirement, as the student is requested to pass the Examination which is in English. If the applicant passes the exam successfully it is a proof of English literacy.
• Once the student has passed the exams and has been accepted then she/he is required to submit additional papers.

Application Procedure

• Submission of application form and supporting documents
• Enroll into the Premedical Preparation Course (optional). It is a nine week Prep course that is offered twice a year and it is held in the Slovak Republic, Israel and Ireland. It is designed to help students master the basic concepts in the Life Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), so that they are prepared to pass the Examination. The course is for those who a) lack prerequisite skills in the Life Sciences b) failed one or more entrance exams c) want to refresh their knowledge of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Fees for the Prep Course is €2,700 (education only)
• Pass the Entrance Examination. Students that have a BSc degree in Life Sciences may be exempt from the Entrance Exam requirement, depending on each individual case. The exam is in English and questions are in 'multiple choice' and/or 'fill in the blanks' form. Answers must be given in English. Students have approximately 2 hours to complete each exam.
• After passing the Entrance Exam and being accepted to the University, the student is requested to send additional documentation [a) Completed Medical Report Form in English, b) Copy of passport, c) 4 ID size photographs, d) CV, e) Proof of Passing the Entrance Exams or proof of exemption from the examination], and pay €500 Registration Fee (due September 1st 2008).

Tuition Fees

• Tuition fees are calculated per academic year and cover the cost of education only. Students are required to pay a one-time registration fee to secure their place at UVM. The tuition fee per academic year is €6.500 for September 2008. Per year the tuition fees vary, nevertheless, tuition fees will be fixed for all years of study according to the valid fees of the year of registration.

Cost of Living

The Slovak crown is tied to the Euro; fluctuation is limited to + or - 15%. Slovakia intends to adopt the Euro in 2009.

Costs per month	€
Accommodation in student dorm	115
Course material, books	15
Food and drink	150
Total costs per month*	280

*Excluding clothing and personal needs.

• The University provides students with accommodation in the University's dormitories in single rooms for €115 per month (price includes water and heating but excludes electricity). Rooms include a cooker, table, refrigerator and optionally a phone and Internet connection. The dormitories are located approximately 400 to 500 meters from campus. In the dormitories, there is a central kitchen and dining room where it is possible to order dinner. Part of the kitchen is reserved for buffet meals. It is also possible to rent an apartment in the city.