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Faculty of Veterinary Science

Faculty regulations and information

The rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Regulations (G. Regulations) and General Rules apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of all students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations and rules as well as all faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the online yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

Undergraduate programme information
BVSc – Bachelor in Veterinary Science degree programme
The BVSc degree programme is a professional training programme for veterinarians, and is accredited with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), the Namibian Veterinary Council (NVC), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the United Kingdom and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) in Australia and New Zealand. The BVSc programme is the only programme of its kind in South Africa, and was established in 1920. It is a 6-year programme with a total of 833 credits and the first year is offered on the Hatfield campus, with years 2 – 6 being offered on the Onderstepoort campus. Admission into the programme is possible into the first as well as second year level.
The first year consists of a basic scientific foundation, the second year is dedicated to theoretical and practical skills training on the normal animal and its environment. Year three consists of theoretical and practical skills training in the causes and effects of disease whereas year 4 and the first half of year 5 are dedicated to theoretical and practical skills training in clinical veterinary medicine. The last 18 months consist of clinical work integrated learning in core and elective veterinary practice and a research report. A programme in veterinary professional life, which addresses various important aspects to prepare graduates for a career in veterinary science, runs throughout the programme from the first year to the first half of the fifth year. 
BVetNurs – Bachelor in Veterinary Nursing degree programme
The BVetNurs degree programme is a professional training programme for veterinary nurses, and is accredited with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC). The BVetNurs programme is the only programme of its kind in South Africa, and was established in 2019, at that stage replacing the 2-year Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (DVN) that has been offered since 1977. It is a 3-year programme with a total of 388 credits and is offered completely on the Onderstepoort campus. All students enter the programme at the first year level. 
The uniquely designed vertically and horizontally integrated curriculum offers 2 years of theoretical and practical skills training, and one year of clinical work integrated learning. A programme in veterinary nursing professional life, which addresses various important aspects to prepare graduates for a career in veterinary nursing, runs throughout the programme. 
Admission into the Faculty’s undergraduate programmes
Admission into the Faculty’s undergraduate programmes is highly competitive, and takes place following a prescribed selection process as published annually in the Faculty’s Undergraduate Faculty Brochure.
Academic Orientation Programme
This programme is presented annually for all first-year students on the Hatfield campus, as well as on the Onderstepoort campus in the case of BVetNurs first year students. Attendance is compulsory. A scaled-down version is also presented to second-year BVSc students on the Onderstepoort campus at the start of the academic year. Attendance is compulsory.
Details of of the orientation programmes will be provided in the documentation sent to all successful candidates at the end of the selection process.
It is required for all new first year students to be registered for and complete the module Academic Orientation (UPO 101).
Hospital Orientation Programme
The programme is presented annually for BVSc V and BVetNurs II students. It takes place during the week before the start of the respective clinical work integrated learning programmes. Attendance is compulsory.
Prescribed books and instruments
Students are requested not to purchase any books or instruments before they start with their chosen programme. Specific requirements will be provided during the academic orientation programme as well as in the relevant study guides.
Excursions
As it is essential to gain practical experience outside the Faculty, students are reminded to make provision for an adequate amount of money to cover expenses for excursions throughout their period of study. Details are provided in the relevant study guides.
Academic literacy
It is required of all new undergraduate first year students to complete the prescribed academic literacy module(s) as contained in the academic curriculum of the relevant programme.
Language of tuition
English is the language of tuition, assessment and official communication at the University of Pretoria.
Statutory requirements for the professions
After the relevant degree has been conferred, graduates are required to register with the SAVC as veterinarians or as veterinary nurses before they may practise in South Africa in this capacity. Registration must be renewed annually.
In the case of veterinary surgeons, all BVSc graduates are required to complete 12 months of compulsory community service (CCS) before they will be allowed to accept any other professional employment, during which time they will be employed by the relevant state department in this capacity.
Faculty regulations
The rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.
The General Regulations (G. Regulations) and General Rules apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of all students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations and rules as well as all faculty specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the online yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

1.    Examinations and pass requirements

The following rules apply to the BVSc and BVetNurs programme, in addition to the University of Pretoria general regulations and general rules, with the exception of pass requirements of service modules presented by other faculties:

1. Attendance of all lectures, practicals and clinical duties is compulsory. Absence must be justified by submission of a medical certificate or valid documentation, within three working days after returning. Failure to comply may lead to examination refusal.
2. Students in the BVSc and BVetNurs programme must register for all modules in a particular year of study and may not deregister modules.
3. A student who fails one or more modules fails the particular year of study and must repeat the failed module(s) before being promoted to the next year of study.
4. In addition to clause iii., a fourth, fifth or final year student in the BVSc programme, and a second year student in the BVetNurs programme,who fails a module or modules has to repeat all the modules for that particular year of study, except modules which were passed with a final mark of at least 65%, for which full exemption is granted during the repeat year.
5. For students repeating the fourth, fifth or sixth year, in the BVSc programme, or the second year in the BVetNurs rogramme exemption from the examination is granted for a module that was passed in the previous year if all lectures, practicals and/or clinical duties were attended and a year/semester mark of at least 50% was obtained in the repeat year.
6. The semester/year mark and examination mark contributes 50% each towards the final mark for all modules with examinations.
7. A head of department may require from a student to complete certain practical and/or clinical procedures or other similar requirements and to provide evidence of such before the student will be allowed access to the examination.
8. A student is required to obtain a minimum semester/year mark of 40%, a minimum of 40% in the examination as well as a final mark of at least 50% to pass a module. A subminimum of 40% in subdivisions of theoretical and/or practical examinations may be required as stipulated by the dean in consultation with the head of department concerned, and as set out in the study guide.
9. The content, format and duration of the supplementary, extra-ordinary, and/or special examination will be similar to that of the examination, except for oral examinations, where the supplementary, extra-ordinary, and/or special examination may be in a different format.
10. Semester tests and examinations are scheduled as stipulated in the Faculty Academic Calendar, as approved by the dean.
11. A student applies for admission to an extra-ordinary assessment using the Faculty’s relevant standard operating procedure which is managed by student administration.
12. The percentage of weighting of subsections of an examination in the calculation of the examination mark will be indicated in the individual study guides.
13. A student qualifies for a supplementary examination under either the following circumstances:

• Where the final mark obtained is between 40% and 49%, or
• Where the final mark is above 50% and the examination mark is below 40%, or
• Where a subminimum mark for a specified section of the examination is not achieved, as explained in the relevant studyguide.

14. A head of department may require from a student who has been admitted to a supplementary examination, to do additional prescribed work for a specified period of time before he or she may take the supplementary examination as approved by the Dean. 
15. A head of department may require of a student to achieve a subminimum score of up to 50% in different components or sections of a supplementary examination, in order to pass the supplementary examination.

2. Perusal and re-marking of examination papers scripts (also consult Reg G.14, and the Faculty’s Standard Operating Procedure for perusal)

1. After an examination, departments provide feedback to students concerning the framework that was used by the examiners during the examination. The manner in which feedback is given is determined by the head of department.
2. Students may apply for re-marking of an examination paper after perusal of the paper and payment of the prescribed fee. This should take place within 5 working days after the announcement of the results of the primary examination and within 3 working days after the announcement of the results of the supplementary examination. The examiner will be appointed by the relevant head of the department. Re-evaluation of oral examinations is not allowed.

3. Exclusion

1. A student who is not permitted to re-register in terms of UP General Regulation G3.2 a) and b) is automatically excluded from the BVSc or BVetNurs programme at the end of the academic year.
2. A student who fails a particular year of study for the second time is automatically excluded.

4. Re-admission and dismissal

1. A student who has been excluded may apply in writing by the specified deadline to the Faculty Appeals Committee for consideration for re-admission, failing which the student is dismissed. The Faculty Appeals Committee has discretion to either readmit an excluded student, or to deny the appeal, in which case the student is dismissed.

5. Dress code
Special instructions regarding dress as stipulated in study guides must be adhered to. Details will be furnished when students are notified that they have been selected for the programme. Provision is made during the orientation programme for the acquisition of protective clothing.

6. Vaccinations
It is requireded of every student to complete the required vaccination protocol against rabies as arranged by Student Administration. The protocol is for the student’s own account. Provision is made for the availability of documentation to facilitate claims with medical aid schemes.

7. Statutory requirements
It is required of all BVSc and BVetNurs students to register with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) as a veterinary student or veterinary nursing student respectively, at the time of first registration in the respective degree programme. Registration has to be renewed annually until completion of the degree programme.