New Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery course to be launched at ATU

ATU is to launch a new Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) programme.

The program will primarily take place at ATU Donegal, in collaboration with ATU Mountbellew, Galway. Students enrolled in the BVMS program are expected to spend up to two semesters on the Mountbellew farm, where they will engage with local veterinary practices. Meanwhile, other teaching and clinical facilities will be based at the Donegal campus.

ATU is working towards meeting regulatory and validation requirements for an initial intake of 30 students in September 2025, with plans to increase this to 40 students in subsequent years. Additionally, SETU anticipates welcoming its first cohort of 40 students in 2026.

Senator Nikki Bradley, Fine Gael’s General Election candidate in Donegal said that the new course will help address shortages of vets in rural Ireland.

“I am absolutely delighted to see ATU and Donegal chosen for a new veterinary programme,” she said. "ATU is a fantastic third-level provider that has contributed so much to the local community. ATU's new veterinary programme will be a dual-campus programme delivered primarily at ATU Donegal in collaboration with ATU Mountbellew, where two semesters will be taught.

“Other teaching and learning activities, including the programme's clinical facilities, will be located on the Donegal campus.

“For years, students who did not get accepted into the programme in UCD were forced to travel abroad. The addition of this new programme will allow more students who wish to study veterinary medicine to stay in Ireland to get their degree.

“We know farmers and vets in rural Ireland are under severe pressure, and having a new programme in Donegal will help ease some of that stress. The introduction of this programme is a major milestone for rural Ireland and particularly the Northwest.

“We will hopefully see students beginning the veterinary course in Donegal in September 2025. Fine Gael are listening to farmers and vets across rural Ireland, and we hope this new veterinary programme will go a long way in helping rural communities.”

Her running partner John McNulty, Fine Gael candidate for Donegal, praised the initiative, stating: “This new programme is a fantastic development for our region.

"I recently met with members of Donegal IFA, and a shortage of support for veterinary practices was a real concern discussed. This programme will provide valuable educational opportunities, support local veterinary practices, and shows a real commitment to creating pathways for future professionals in Donegal.”