Masters of Veterinary Science, known as MVSc in short, is a 2- year-long postgraduate level master degree course in veterinary science. It has been designed to have a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, surgery and treatment of animals from different diseases.
To be eligible for this course, students should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry or in Veterinary Science with a minimum of 55% marks in aggregate.
Key Highlights for MVSc
- Full-Form: Master of Veterinary Science
- Duration: 2 years
- Minimum Eligibility: Graduation with minimum 50% marks from a recognised university.
- Admission Process: Merit-based or Entrance-Based
- Top MVSc Exam: ICAR AIEEA PG, GBPUAT
- Top Colleges: Indian Veterinary Research Institute, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
- Average Annual Fees: INR 10,000 to INR 2,00,000
- Distance Education or Correspondence: Not available
- Top MVSc Jobs and Career Prospects: Veterinarians, Veterinary Researcher, Teacher/Professor.
Most of the top colleges grant admission to this course on the basis of entrance exams. Many universities like the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology conduct their own entrance exams, while others admit students on the basis of national level entrance exams like ICAR-AIEEA-PG.
Some of the top colleges offering this course according to UniIndia Ranking 2020 are listed in the table given below:
| ICAR Ranking 2018 | College Name | Location | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees | Average Annual Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology | Pantnagar | Entrance Based | INR 29,313 | INR 6,00,000 |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Veterinary Research | Bareilly | Entrance Based | INR 54,700 | INR 2,00,000 |
| 28 | Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Ucovidniversity | Nagpur | Entrance Based | INR 23,500 | NA |
| 29 | Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University | Wayanad | Entrance Based | INR 46,200 | INR 3,00,000 |
| 38 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University | Chennai | Entrance Based | INR 33,325 | INR 3,00,000 |
The average annual fees for completing this course ranges from INR 15,000 to INR 2,00,000 depending on the type of the institute.
This course covers almost all the important topics related to veterinary sciences including Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Haematology, immunohistology, among others.
The highest annual salary for these professionals is around INR 8 lakhs, whereas an average annual salary is expected to be around INR 3 lakhs. A student who has completed an MVSc has career opportunities in both Public and Private sector where they can work in sectors like the Animal Research and Development, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Diseases Investigation Centre, Fishery Department etc.
Further study options post completion of MVSc include PhD in the choice of a disciple of veterinary science that you want to specialize in.
MVSc Admission Process
The universities follow the system of an entrance exam, few of the colleges might have a round of personal interview. Though the admission process varies from college to college, but the general admission procedure is discussed below:
- Most of the colleges have an online application system when once the link is opened you can apply through the prescribed link.
- Most of the colleges also take in candidates who have a good score in ICAR AIEEA-PG exam so apply for the same also.
- In the cases of merit-based admission, the colleges will release cutoff marks which will be the minimum marks required for admission.
- In the case of admission through entrance exams, the candidates are shortlisted on the basis of scores in the entrance exam.
- Some colleges also consider both entrance exam scores and scores in the qualifying exam for shortlisting the candidates.
The stepwise application process is discussed below:
Step 1 - Go to the website of the college that you are interested in. Create an id or fill in a form as prescribed. Fill the details and pay the prescribed fees.
Step 2 - Also, submit the required documents if needed.
Step 3 - Apply for the prescribed entrance exam through the official website of the conducting body.
Step 4 - The admit card will be provided soon after the application is processed. Please keep track of the dates of the exams.
Step 5 - After the exam results are announced, the shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification. The eligible candidates will be granted admission to the course.
MVSc Eligibility
- The applicant should have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science and animal husbandry or in veterinary science.
- The applicant should have graduated with a minimum of 55% aggregate.
MVSc Entrance Exams
The main entrance exam for admission to Masters in Veterinary Science is the one conducted by the ICAR. In addition to the ICAR exam, most of the colleges have their own round of entrance exams along with few seats sanctioned for candidates who have cleared the ICAR entrance exam.
- ICAR All India Entrance Exam: It is conducted in the month of June for admission. This exam is conducted for admission to veterinary institutes under ICAR which includes the Indian Institute of Veterinary Research. For veterinary science, the major subjects that one has to prepare are veterinary anatomy, veterinary gynaecology, immunology, etc.
- GBPUAT: This exam is conducted for admission to Govind Ballabh Pant University Agriculture and Technology. Only candidates who are bonafide residents of Uttarakhand are eligible to apply for this exam. For other state candidates, they have to clear the ICAR AIEEA exam for admission to this college. The syllabus will be same as the ICAR AIEEA syllabus
- KVASFU: This exam is conducted for admission to veterinary colleges in Karnataka which is a part of the KVASFU. Candidates should have studied in Karnataka at least for 7 years unless they are ICAR nominees or NRI’s, etc. The exam is usually conducted in the month of September.
- PGEE: This exam is conducted for admission to Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Science. The exam is usually conducted in the month of November.
- BIRSA Agricultural University Exam: This exam is conducted for admission to BIRSA Agricultural University, Ranchi. The exam is usually conducted in the month of May.
| Exam | Conducting Body | Date of Entrance Exam |
|---|---|---|
| ICAR AIEEA PG | ICAR | Postponed till further announcement due to Covid-19 |
| GBPUAT | GB Pant University | Postponed till further announcement due to Covid-19 |
| KVASFU | KVASFU | Not announced yet |
| PGEE exam | Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Science. | Date not announced yet |
| BIRSA entrance exam | BISRA University | postponed till further announcement due to Covid-19 |
How to Prepare for the Entrance Exams?
The syllabus of the exams are similar to each other and to the ICAR AIEEA-PG:
- The exams are usually online exams
- Most of the exams would have around 200 questions of MCQ type where the candidate would have to attempt at least 150 questions.
- The syllabus is usually the sub-subjects that come under the major discipline that the candidate has chosen.
Points to keep in mind while preparing for the entrance exams:
- Study the syllabus provided thoroughly as well as the exam pattern.
- Make notes while studying. These can help up with last-minute quick revisions.
- Focus on your weak subjects and allocate more time to them.
- Study from the recommended books of ICAR AIEEA-PG as this will help in preparation for other exams also.
- If previous years question papers are available, then it is good to solve them as it will build up your confidence. While solving the previous papers, keep in mind that there are negative marks so attempt accordingly.
How to Get Admission in a Good College?
- Study at least 5 hours every day and try to complete the syllabus given.
- Keep a track of all the news updates of the colleges that you want to apply to. In case of doubt, call the management and get updated information.
- Keep solving past question papers and model papers.
- Try to answer at least 70% of the total questions in the entrance exam.
- Strategize on how you will attempt the paper based on your strong and week points.
What is a Masters in Veterinary Science (MVSc)?
- A Master in Veterinary Science is a degree which equips students based on their specialization on how to treat animals and take care of the welfare of animals.
- Students would learn about the anatomy of animals, immunology, how to do surgeries on animals, etc.
- The aim of the course is to give the students a thorough outline of the different aspects of an animal body and how to identify and treat the diseases that can affect animals.
- One would be required to submit a dissertation based on the research area that one took up at the end of the course.
- Students will gain an in-depth understanding of how the body and mind of animals will work and how animals act as carriers of diseases, etc.
- This course is perfect for those who love animals and want to work with animals in close proximity.
MVSc Course Highlights
The key highlights of the course are mentioned in the table below:
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Full-Form | Maters in Veterinary Science |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Examination Type | Semester/Year wise |
| Eligibility | B.V.Sc. & A.H. |
| Admission process | Entrance based |
| Course fees | INR 15,000 to 2 lakh |
| Average Salary | INR 3 lakhs |
| Top Recruiting Companies | AIIMS, ICAR, state departments, Amity university |
| Job position | Manager of an Animal Farm, Veterinary Doctor, Veterinary Surgeon, Associate Scientist, Veterinary Research, Veterinary Consultant, Veterinary Technician, Pharmacy Researcher or Scientist, Biological Scientist, Professor, Lecturer |
Why should one study MVSc?
- The field of veterinary science is one that is highly competitive and requires a high level of skills. Having a veterinary science degree shows that you are a highly-skilled candidate.
- A Master’s degree in Veterinary Science is equivalent to a medical degree as you would cover the same range of topics, with the only difference, is who will be the focus of the topics.
- It is an ideal job for people who love animals.
- Since the job opportunities are tailor-made, the salary packages offered are decent. People are needed for research work and treatment of animals and for connected matters.
- In the future, you could also take a PhD.in Veterinary Science and become a professor also.
Course Comparison
MVSc vs MBBS
While MVSc deals with the treatment of animals, MBBS deals with the treatment of humans. The detailed course comparison is given in the table below:
| Parameters | MVSc | MBBS |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Form | Masters in Veterinary Sciences | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery |
| Domain | Veterinary Science | Medical Science |
| Course Overview | It’s a postgraduate degree which will give you an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the animal body and treating the same from diseases. | It’s an undergraduate degree which will give you an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the human body and how to treat the body when afflicted with diseases. |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 40,000 | INR 10,000- INR 22,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 | INR 6,00,000 |
| Colleges | Rajiv Gandhi College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Pondicherry, Govind Ballabh Pant University Agriculture and Technology, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Indian Institute of Veterinary Research | Christian Medical College, Vellore, AlIMS, KIMS medical college, JIPMER Pondicherry. |
| Recruiting Areas | Veterinary Hospitals, Zoological Gardens, Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves. | Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Medical Colleges. |
Source: College Websites
MVSc Top Colleges
This course is offered by colleges run by the state or central government usually. The top colleges offering MVSc in India are given in the table below:
| ICAR ranking 2024 | College Name | Location | Average Annual Fees (INR) | Average Annual Placement (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology | Pantnagar | 29,313 | 6,00,000 |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Veterinary Research | Bareilly | 54,700 | 2,00,000 |
| 28 | Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries University | Nagpur | 23,500 | - |
| 29 | Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University | Wayanad | 46,200 | 3,00,000 |
| 38 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University | Chennai | 33,325 | 3,00,000 |
| 39 | West Bengal University Of Animal And Fishery Sciences | Kolkata | 30,000 | 2,00,000 |
| 55 | Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences | Haryana | 40,000 | 8,40,000 |
| NA | BIRSA Agricultural University | Ranchi | 15,000 | 4,80,000 |
| NA | Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University | Bidar | 1,06,482 | 3,90,000 |
Source: College Websites
College Comparison
In the below-given table, we have compared three of the most renowned colleges in India providing the MVSc course.
| Parameters | IVRI | Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University | Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Indian Veterinary Research Institute is one of the best Veterinary Colleges in India. It is a central government institution providing almost all types of courses in veterinary science including BVSc, BVSc and AH, MVSc, Fishery, etc. | Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University is a university set up by the government of Kerala to impart knowledge on veterinary and animal sciences. It provides UG and PG level courses in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry. | It is an iconic institution as it was the first ever Agriculture University of India. It is one of the most reputed agricultural universities in India providing a plethora of courses spread across streams including Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences. |
| ICAR ranking 2018 | 5 | 29 | 3 |
| Location | Bareilly | Kerala | Uttarakhand |
| Eligibility | B.V.Sc.&A.H | B.V.Sc.&A.H | B.V.Sc.&A.H |
| Admission Process | Entrance | Entrance | Entrance |
| Average Fees | INR 54,700 | INR 46,200 | INR 29,313 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3.5 lakhs | INR 3.4 lakhs | INR 3 lakhs |
| Top Recruiters | Government Colleges, Veterinary Research Centres, Veterinary Hospitals, Armed Forces. | Government of Kerala Animal Husbandry Department, NGOs, Armed Forces. | Cognizant, Trident Group, Infogain, Infosys. |
Source: College Websites
MVSc Syllabus
The syllabus of MVSc covers almost all the advanced topics related to animal treatment and husbandry. It also provides a detailed view of different types of diseases occurring in animals. Below is the semester wise breakup of the complete syllabus of MVSc.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Anatomy: comparative osteology and arthrology | Veterinary Anatomy: comparative splanchnology |
| Physiology of digestion | Clinical physiology |
| Haematology | Advances in immunophysiology |
| Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology, and Obstetrics | Livestock Production and Management |
| Veterinary Pharmacology and Taxicology | Animal Genetics and Breeding |
| Veterinary Parasitology | ---- |
| Veterinary Microbiology | --- |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Animal Nutrition | Veterinary dissertation |
| Veterinary Medicine | Clinical research |
| Veterinary Surgery | Internships |
| Veterinary Radiology | --- |
| Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology | --- |
MVSc Recommended Books
Some of the most popular books for this course are as follows:
| Books | Author |
|---|---|
| Animal Physiology: Mechanisms & Adaptations | Eckert & Randal |
| Preventive Veterinary Medicine | Amlendu Chakravarty |
| Veterinary Toxicology | S K Garg |
| Biochemistry: Concepts and Connections | R. Appling Dean |
| Genetics | Kavita B. Ahluwalia |
MVSc Job Prospects
- Students who have completed Masters in Veterinary Science will get jobs in Colleges, as well as in both Public and Private sectors.
- They can work in the Animal Research and Development, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Diseases Investigation Centre, Fishery Department, Marine Amusement Park, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, etc.
- Also, they can work as Veterinarians by working under someone or setting up their own practice.
Some of the common job profiles available are written below.
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinarian | A doctor for animals who treats all the animal diseases. Also these doctors take care of vaccination and nutrition of the animals as well. | 5 lakhs |
| Researcher | The Researchers are those people who research new ideas on how to improve the health of the animals. Also, they try to invent new vaccines related to animals. The profile includes researching the areas connected to animals and medicine, etc. | 3.4 lakhs |
| Veterinary Teacher | Teaching veterinary science to the upcoming batches of students. They are generally recruited in government and private veterinary colleges. | 2 lakhs |
| Animal Caretakers | These people are responsible for taking care of animals living in Zoos, National Parks, etc. Their responsibilities include feeding, breeding, and taking proper care of animals living there. | 2 Lakhs |
| Zoologists | They research on the various characteristics of animals and about the animal kingdom. They try to discover new unknown aspects of the animal kingdom and animal species through their research. | 5-10 Lakhs |
Source: Payscale
MVSc Future Scope
The degree helps you to work closely with animals if that is your passion. It also provides you with respect in the society as this degree is almost equal to an MBBS degree as only the subject matter differs and almost the same topics are covered.
Career Options after MVSc
- You can work as a Veterinarian.
- You can work in Universities as a Veterinary Professor or Assistant professor based on the level of experience that you have.
- You can open your own pet shop or work as a researcher.
Study Options after MVSc
-
You can do a PhD in Veterinary Science in the area that you want to specialize in.
MVSc has various and wide career options which therefore makes it easier for you to choose according to the area of preference. You can also go for higher studies.
MVSc: FAQs
Ques. Which is the exam that I have to write to get admission for MVSc?
Ans. You can write the ICAR-AIEEA-PG, exam and most of the colleges have their own exams also, but you will have to check if you are eligible to write them. One of the most popular college based entrance exam is the GB Pant University Entrance Exam.
Ques. What are the career options after doing MVSc?
Ans. There are many job opportunities after completing the MVSc course. The candidates can work as Veterinarian, Researcher, College Professor, etc. They can also start their own veterinary clinic and start practicing veterinary treatment.
Ques. Is studying this course a good choice?
Ans. Yes, especially if you are passionate about animals. After completion of the degree, you can work in the dairy industry or establish your own clinic, etc. You can also work as an animal caretaker in zoos and national parks.
Ques. Is the veterinary science field a good field?
Ans. Yes, it is a good field next to MBBS. Veterinarians have more opportunities for a job in the public and private sector. They can either do a job or choose to start their own clinics as well.
Ques. Is MVSc harder than MBBS?
Ans. Both courses are incomparable. In India, a doctor treats human beings and a vet treats every single animal species ranging from pets to wild animals. So, their are a lot of differences between these two fields.
Ques. Is there a better scope for girls?
Ans. It is the field that deals with animals so both the gender can join the profession & contribute equally. But, sometimes, some of the professions become risky as well. Especially those dealing with the wild animals.
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