Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Gulf Medical University > Thumbay College of Veterinary Medicine > Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Overview

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Gulf Medical University is designed to develop competent, ethical, and practice-ready veterinarians capable of contributing to animal, human, and environmental health through the principles of One Health.

The program integrates biomedical, clinical, and animal sciences to equip students with the scientific foundation and clinical competence necessary to diagnose, manage, and prevent diseases across animal species. Students gain expertise in animal welfare, food safety, epidemiology, and public health, while also developing leadership and research skills aligned with national and international veterinary standards.

The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based learning, ethical practice, and community engagement, providing progressive exposure to animal handling, simulation-based learning, and clinical rotations under expert supervision.

To ensure comprehensive clinical training and real-world exposure, the program has established partnerships with leading veterinary institutions, hospitals, and clinics across the UAE and internationally. These collaborations support student internships, externships, and supervised clinical training in diverse settings, including equine, small animal, avian, and public health practice.

Training and Internship Partners include

  • Academic and International Partners: Royal Veterinary College (London, UK) and Don State Technical University (Russia).
  • Veterinary and Clinical Partners: Sharjah Equine Hospital, Umm Al Quwain Camel Hospital and Breeding Centre, Sharjah Falcon Hospital, City Pet Veterinary Clinic (Ajman), City Vet Clinics (Abu Dhabi, Al Warqa, and seven additional branches across the UAE).

Through these partnerships, students receive hands-on clinical experience and exposure to diverse species and practice environments, preparing them for professional veterinary roles across the region and beyond.

The program has been granted initial accreditation by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Higher Education and Research, UAE (effective 19 September 2025), [Link] affirming its compliance with national quality standards and alignment with international benchmarks in veterinary education.

Admission Requirements

  1. The applicant must have completed a minimum of 12 years of school education.
  2. The applicant must have passed any one of the following English Language Proficiency Tests with a minimum score as follows:
    • All UAE education systems scoring a minimum of 80% in English in Grade 12.
    • For international students who completed high school in their national language:
      • TOEFL CBT 173 / iBT 61
      • IELTS Academic 5.0
  3. Applicants from the UAE educational systems must have secured an individual minimum score in the following three mandatory science subjects in Grade 11 or 12:
    • Biology – 70%
    • Chemistry – 70%
    • Physics or Mathematics – 70%
  4. Applicants from any other non-UAE educational systems must submit an Equivalency Certificate of their high school certificate from the Ministry of Education, UAE.
    Failing to submit the equivalency certificate, the student would be on conditional admission and required to fulfil the requirements as specified in the General Admission Requirements.
  5. Applicants must have passed Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics) in any of the following grades: 11th or 12th.
    If not, they are required to appear for an admission exam or may register for the non-credit remedial course or foundation program offered by the University.
  6. All applicants shall be evaluated for cognitive and non-cognitive traits, demonstrating their aptitude for the chosen area of study, by the Admissions Committee of the University.
  7. On successful completion of the above, the applicant and parent meet the Admissions Committee.
    The decision of the Admissions Committee shall be final and binding.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program are aligned with the UAE Qualifications Framework (QFEmirates) and reflect international benchmarks for veterinary education. They are organized under three key domains: Knowledge, Skills, and Responsibility.

Knowledge

PLO1.
Utilize advanced, specialized, and integrative knowledge of biomedical, clinical, and animal sciences to diagnose, manage, and prevent diseases across diverse animal species.

PLO2.
Integrate epidemiological knowledge to assess the impact of common diseases on animal populations and their implications for public health.

PLO3.
Evaluate behavioural, cultural, economic, environmental, and social determinants influencing animal care and welfare.

PLO4.
Possess in-depth expertise in the core domains of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry.

PLO5.
Employ leadership and management principles essential for professional practice and collaborative endeavours.

Skills

PLO6.
Employ advanced cognitive and practical skills to elicit thorough patient and/or population histories and to conduct safe, systematic examinations.

PLO7.
Utilize integrated analytical skills in differential diagnosis, and perform and interpret diagnostic procedures with accuracy.

PLO8.
Execute specialized clinical skills in selecting and administering therapeutic interventions, while formulating accurate prognoses for individual patients and populations.

PLO9.
Apply expertise in data collection, disease surveillance, outbreak control, and in promoting health, welfare, and preventive care in both individuals and populations.

PLO10.
Conduct independent, evidence-based research to generate innovative solutions and integrate interdisciplinary knowledge to advance the principles of One Health.

Responsibility

PLO11.
Advocate for the veterinary profession through civic engagement, community outreach, and active participation in organized veterinary medicine at local, national, and international levels, while upholding lifelong learning and ethical practice.

PLO12.
Employ a nuanced understanding of the human–animal bond and the societal roles of animals to make sound, ethically informed decisions.

Study Plan

Year 1

Semester 1

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VBS 101 Introduction to Animal Science I

(Horse, Livestock)

 2 3
VBS 102 Introduction to Animal Husbandry in UAE 1 1
VPH 101 Ethics and Professionalism in Veterinary Medicine 3 3
VBS 103 Anatomy (Osteology, Arthrology, Myology and  Angiology) 4 6
VBS 104 Basic and Circulatory Physiology 3 4
VCA 101 Emirate Studies 3 3
VCA 102 English Communication Skills 3 3

 

Semester 2

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
 

VBS 205

 Anatomy (Splanchnology, Neurology and

Aesthesiology)

 3 5
VBS 206

 

 Systemic Histology 2 3
VBS 207 Integral /Reproductive Physiology 3 4
VBS 208 General Histology and Embryology 2 3
VBS 209 Veterinary Biochemistry 3 4
VCA 203 Behavioural Study

 

 3 3
VCA 606 Information Technology 2 3

 

Year 2

Semester 3

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VPH 302 Veterinary Bacteriology 3 4
VPH 303 Veterinary Parasitology General Parasitology, Helminthology 3 4
VPH 304 Serology and immunology 3 4
VBS  310 Animal Nutrition (LA) 2 3
VBS 311 Poultry Science & Falconry 2 3
VBS 312 Introduction to Animal Science II

(Pet Animals)

 2 3

 
VPH 305 Business Management in Veterinary Practice 3 3

 

Semester 4

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VPH 406 Veterinary Virology 3 4
VPH 407 Veterinary Parasitology (Protozoology, Entomology 2 3
VPH 408 Mycology, Rickettsiology, Mycoplasmology and

Chlamydiology

 2 3
VPS 401 General Pathology 3 4
VBS 413 Animal Nutrition (SA) 2 3
VPS 402 Animal Breeding and Genetics 3 4
VCA 404 Biostatistics 3 4

 

Year 3

Semester 5

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VMO 501 Animal Husbandry and Welfare Training

(Clinics)*

 3 9
VPS 503 Veterinary Oncology 2 3
VPS 504 Systematic Pathology 2 3
VPS 505 Systematic Pharmacology 4 5
VBS 514 Farm management Practices 1 2
VMO 502 Introduction to Clinical Practices and Emergency Medicine 2 3
VPH 510 Veterinary Public Health and One Health 2 3
VPH 613 Research Methodology 3 3

 

Semester 6

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VMO 603 Animal Husbandry and Welfare Training

(Clinics)*

 3 9
VPS 606 Toxicology 2 3
VPH 611 Zoonoses 3 4
VPS 607 Clinical Pathology 2 3
VPH 612 Epidemiology and Disease Control 2 3
VBS 615 Equine Management 1 2
VCA 605 Entrepreneurship 2 3
VPH 509 Food Hygiene (Milk and Meat, egg) 2 3

 

Year 4

Semester 7

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VMO 704 CLINICAL ROTATION

(Elective 1)

 3 9
VMO 705 Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine 2 3
VSR 701 General Surgery 3 4
VSR 702 Anaesthesiology 2 3
VMO 706 SA Obstetrics and Gynaecology 3 4
VMO 707 Preventive medicine I 2 3
VBS 716 Camel Management 1 2

 

Semester 8

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VMO 808 Clinical Training  LA/SA 1 1 2
VMO 809 Large Animal Medicine 1 2 3
VMO 810 Pet Animal Medicine 1 2 3
VSR 803 Surgery and Radiology 1 2 3
VMO 811 LA Obstetrics and Gynaecology 3 4
VMO 812 Preventive medicine II 2 3
Elective 2 3 3

 

Year 5

Semester 9

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VMO 913 Clinical Training LA/SA II 1 2
VMO 914 Large Animal Medicine II 2 3
VMO 915 Pet Animal Medicine II 2 3
VSR 904 Surgery and Radiology II 1 2
VSR 905 Operative Surgery 1 2
VMO 916 Small Zoo and Laboratory Animal Medicine 2 3
Elective 3 3 3

 

Semester 10

Course Code Course Name Credit Hours CONTACT HOURS
VMO 1017 CLINICAL ROTATION

 

 12 4 Hours/Daily
CAPSTONE PROJECT 3 –
Elective 4 3 3

 

ELECTIVES –  MINIMUM FOUR ELECTIVES (12 CREDITS/FOUR COURSES) TO BE Selected

Course Name CREDIT HOURS CONTACT HOURS
Advanced Equine Medicine and Surgery 3 5
One Health and Emerging Diseases 3 4
Advanced Diagnostic Imaging 3 5
Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare 3 6
Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine 3 4
Digital Veterinary Medicine 3 4
Global Veterinary Medicine 3 3
Veterinary Cardiology 3 4
Aquatic Animal Health 3 4

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the award of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Successful completion of all credits required for the program.
  • Attainment of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Submission of a research project (Capstone Project).
  • Achievement of a minimum pass mark of 60% (Grade D) in each course.
  • Fulfilment of a minimum attendance requirement of 80% in all courses and clinical rotations.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the DVM program will be equipped to serve in diverse veterinary and allied sectors, including:

  • Small and Large Animal Clinical Practice
  • Public Health and Food Safety Services
  • Veterinary Research and Laboratory Diagnostics
  • Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industries
  • Wildlife, Zoo, and Aquatic Animal Health
  • Veterinary Regulatory and Inspection Agencies
  • Pharmaceutical and Feed Manufacturing Industries
  • Academic and Training Institutions

Graduates will also be eligible to pursue veterinary licensure in the UAE and other jurisdictions as per respective regulatory requirements.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Duration: 5 Years
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Thumbay College of Veterinary Medicine