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Are you thinking about a future in veterinary medicine? A brand-new Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery programme (CAO Code AU375) is now available, offering an exciting opportunity for students who want to work with animals and make a real difference.
Below is everything you need to know, explained simply and clearly.
To apply for AU375, you must meet the course’s Leaving Cert entry requirements:
You must have:
H4 in Chemistry or H4 in Physics/Chemistry,
and
H4 in Biology or H4 in Agricultural Science or H4 in Physics.
These subjects ensure you have the scientific background needed for veterinary studies.
All applicants must also sit the Casper Test, which is a situational judgement test. This means:
You are given hypothetical scenarios, often with ethical dilemmas.
You respond based on your personal values, empathy, communication, social awareness, and decision-making.
It’s not about academic knowledge, it’s about how you think and react in real-life situations.
Casper is scored out of 300.
Your Casper score is added to your Leaving Cert points to create one combined score.
Before the two scores are added:
Points over 550 are adjusted.
For every 5 points above 550, you get 1 additional point,
Up to a maximum of 565 points.
565 LC points (after moderation)
300 Casper points
= 865 total maximum points
This total score is used to decide who gets an offer.
You can sit Casper on any of the following dates:
9 January 2026
15 January 2026
26 February 2026
Results will be released in March 2026.
Because this is not a restricted course, another test date may be added later in the academic year.
Applicants must also complete at least 60 hours of animal-related work experience.
Must include experience with both large and small animals
Must be completed within 3 years before applying
A work experience form must be submitted by 31 July 2026
If you love animals, enjoy science, and want a career where no two days are the same, this new Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree could be the perfect fit. It’s a demanding course, but also incredibly rewarding for those passionate about caring for animals.
