Veterinary Medicine has been part of the ICBAS training offer since 1994 and, starting in 2007, became an Integrated Master (IMVM).

As a branch of health sciences, the IMVM benefits greatly from the multidisciplinary environment provided by ICBAS (unparalleled in the Portuguese higher education), where resources and knowledge are shared with other courses like Medicine, Aquatic Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioengineering and, more recently, Dental Medicine, contributing for the enrichment of the learning environment, in total complementarity with the concept of “One Health”.

One of the great strengths of IMVM is the excellence of its practical teaching which, since the first year, is based on a hands-on philosophy of teaching with small groups of students to ensure a full participation.

The IMVM study programme includes all mandatory areas and disciplines required by the European legislation that regulates the professional qualifications of a veterinary doctor, thus guarantying the international recognition and students’ mobility throughout the European space.

The programme, with a duration of 5,5 years (11 semesters and 330 ECTS credits) starts by first contemplating the structure, function and behaviour of healthy animals for, from the third year on, address the diseases that affect them and the medical and surgical procedures needed to treat them. In the last years, a great emphasis is given to the teaching of diseases that affect both, humans and domestic animals to ensure safe and humane interactions and, therefore, protecting their health. The goal is to enable students to:

• Protect (proactively) the health and welfare of animals, as well as the principles of biosafety;
• Diagnose health problems that affect animals on an individual or population basis;
• Caring and treating, implementing adequate management protocols and treatments;
• Always act in favour of public health, being a sentinel and an enforcer of the animal health, food security and animal production, according to the principle of "One Health", animal, human and environment.

ICBAS has modern units to provide community services that were created precisely to support veterinary training, namely:

• Hospital of Companion Animals (UPVet)
• Equine Clinical Center of Vairão (CCEV)
• Animal Reproduction Center of Vairão (CRAV)
• Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology (LabPatVet)

Students also participate in an ambulatory clinic service aimed at equine, cattle and other livestock species. To ensure the quality of practical training, IMVM also counts with the helpful support of several institutions, companies and services related to veterinary activities.

This is a School focused on science, therefore, the diversity of doctoral programmes and research projects in the different biomedical branches allows students to have a first approach to scientific research facilitating their integration in future research projects. In this regard, in addition to the many ICBAS’ laboratories and research units, the School maintains close cooperation with important research institutes:

• Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR)
• Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S)
• National Institute of Agricultural and Veterinary Research, IP (INIAV)

IMVM is accredited by Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES) since 2016. The IMVM Self-Assessment Report and the IMVM Final Report of the External Assessment Committee are available for public consultation. In 2020, IMVM submitted new Self-Assessment Report to A3ES that reports to the evolution of the cycle of studies since the previous assessment and which lead to the decision of A3ES Management Board of renew the accreditation of the course. 

In addition, IMVM is an approved course by the European Committee of Veterinary Education (ECOVE) and by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE). IMVM commitment to obtain this recognition is reflected in the Final Assessment Report. This European recognition of IMVM quality is a guarantee that the course fulfil the requirements of the European System of Evaluation of Veterinary Training (ESEVT), as well as the European legislation relating to the recognition of professional qualifications, being enabler of academic and professional mobility of their graduates.      

ICBAS graduates can work in any of the professional fields of veterinary medicine:

• Medicine and Surgery of Companion Animals, Farm Animals and Equines;
• Epizootic and zoonotic diseases control;
• Food quality and safety;
• Management and development of animal production systems;
• Animal welfare;
• Public health and environmental protection.

 

In addition to these fields of work, the graduates in veterinary medicine are prepared to also work with other than domestic species like wild and exotic fauna.

ICBAS’ multi-disciplinary environment (unique in the health sciences higher education in Portugal) also provides excellent conditions for post-graduation training in most areas of biomedical knowledge, with emphasis for scientific research.

 

1. IMVM admission and attendance

Students who have completed their 12^th year of schooling or have a legally equivalent qualification (secondary education), including the national admission exams, can apply every year to the Integrated Master in Veterinary Medicine. More information can be found on the website of the Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES).

The following service can also be contacted for further information:

• Academic Office - Pre-Graduated Unit (pregraduacao@icbas.up.pt) 

 

They should consult the Directorate General for Higher Education (DGES) to know more about the Degree and Diploma Recognition.

Further information on the analysis and procedures to request for foreigner diplomas recognition will soon be available here. at ICBAS in the

For further information about Degree and Diploma Recognition, please contact: pregraduacao@icbas.up.pt