Veterinary medicine
Vets examine and treat pets, farm animals and wild animals and advise their owners. The degree is long and demanding, and the job afterwards is very varied.
Typical tasks
- examining animals and diagnosing illnesses
- vaccinating, treating and operating on animals
- advising owners on feeding, care and prevention
- looking after the health of farm animals
- inspecting food of animal origin
Where people work
Vets work in small animal practices and animal clinics, as farm vets in the countryside, in food inspection, in public authorities, in research or in zoos.
A good fit if
- animals are close to your heart
- you find biology and chemistry exciting
- you stay calm even in difficult situations
- you are prepared to study a lot and for a long time
Education pathways in Austria
In Austria you first need the Matura (school-leaving exam), for example at an AHS (academic secondary school), and then study veterinary medicine at a university. There is an admission procedure before the degree and places are limited. In Germany the equivalent is the Gymnasiale Oberstufe (Abitur) and a university degree, in Switzerland the Gymnasium (Maturität) and a degree at a university or ETH.
- AHS-Oberstufe (Gymnasium)
- General education with Matura as the basis for university. 4 years
- Universität
- Academic degree: bachelor, master or diploma. 3 to 6 years
Matching schools in Austria
A selection from our school list. Not every school of this type offers every specialisation, so ask the school directly.
- BG und BRG OberwartAHS, 7400 Oberwart, BurgenlandCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- Europagymnasium KlagenfurtAHS, 9020 Klagenfurt, KärntenCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- BG und BRG Baden BiondekgasseAHS, 2500 Baden, NiederösterreichCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- Akademisches Gymnasium LinzAHS, 4020 Linz, OberösterreichCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- Akademisches Gymnasium SalzburgAHS, 5020 Salzburg, SalzburgCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- Akademisches Gymnasium GrazAHS, 8010 Graz, SteiermarkCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- Akademisches Gymnasium InnsbruckAHS, 6020 Innsbruck, TirolCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
- BG Bregenz BlumenstraßeAHS, 6900 Bregenz, VorarlbergCollected automaticallySource: initial collection from public information, as of Oktober 2026
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get a place?
Places are limited and there is an admission procedure. Good preparation in biology, chemistry and physics helps.
Do I also have to put animals down?
Yes, sometimes that is part of the job when an animal is suffering badly. It is one of the hard moments of the profession.
Are there jobs with animals without a degree?
Yes, for example veterinary assistant or animal keeper. There are apprenticeships and courses for these.
Similar careers
- Doctor
Doctors make diagnoses, treat illnesses and support people in difficult moments.
- Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists help people regain movement and ease pain after injuries, operations or illness.
- Nurse
Nurses care for sick, injured and elderly people, dress wounds, give medication and work closely with doctors.
- Sports science and coaching
Sports scientists and coaches plan training, test performance and help people stay healthy and active, in clubs, in fitness or in elite sport.