Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI offers unsubsidized DVM seats to eligible Canadian and international applicants, including Atlantic Canadian residents. Its latest published cohort has approximately 41 unsubsidized seats within an approximately 95-student class. Applicants use VMCAS; AVC's published admissions requirements include the English Casper 2 test.
- Program
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Credential
- DVM
- Location
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Casper
- Required · CSP-10211
- Seats
- Approximately 41 unsubsidized seats; approximately 95 seats total, including 54 subsidized seats
- Length
- four-year DVM
Casper Requirement for University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine
University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine requires Casper for the 2027-2028 cycle.
- Test to book
- Casper 2 - English · CSP-10211
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
AVC requires Casper 2 (CSP-10211) in English. Use the email address on your application when registering and select University of Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Veterinary College for score distribution. Test results are valid for one admissions cycle.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine Application Deadlines 2027-2028
- Apply through
- VMCAS
Apply for an unsubsidized seat through VMCAS. UPEI contacts applicants about its additional processing fee. Atlantic Canadian residents may choose either the subsidized or unsubsidized application pathway, but applying to both removes them from subsidized-seat consideration.
University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine Admissions Statistics
Period: 2026-2027 admissions cycle (Fall 2027 entry)
- Seats / class size: Approximately 41 unsubsidized seats; approximately 95 seats total, including 54 subsidized seats
Unsubsidized seats are open to eligible Canadian and international applicants, including Atlantic Canadian residents.
Eligibility Requirements for University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine
- Degree / credits
At least 20 prerequisite university-level courses must be completed or in progress when applying; a completed bachelor's degree is not required. Applicants must be in good academic standing.
- Residency
Applicants outside Atlantic Canada and eligible Atlantic Canadian residents may seek unsubsidized seats.
- Citizenship
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international applicants may apply.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet UPEI's DVM English-proficiency requirement.
Admission pathways
- Unsubsidized seats: Open to eligible Canadian and international applicants, including Atlantic Canadian residents. Atlantic residents may choose only one application pathway per cycle; applying to both removes them from subsidized-seat consideration.
International students need a Canadian study permit to attend UPEI; a temporary resident visa may also be required depending on citizenship.
Other requirements
- Non-English transcripts: Provide a WES course-by-course evaluation, including for Canadian transcripts not in English.
- Rabies immunization: Admission is contingent on agreeing to a rabies immunization program, including blood-titre evaluation.
- Teaching animals: Admitted students must accept the humane use of animals in teaching.
- Canadian study permit: International students need a study permit to attend UPEI; a temporary resident visa may also be required depending on citizenship.
Selection Factors University of Prince Edward Island Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Animal Biology 1-3 | required Three courses, each with a lab. |
| Genetics | required One course. |
| Mathematics 1 | required One course. |
| Mathematics 2 (Statistics) | required One course. |
| Chemistry 1-3, including Organic Chemistry | required Three courses, each with a lab. |
| English (Composition) | required One course. |
| Electives | required Ten courses; at least 20 prerequisite courses in total must be completed or in progress when applying. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
50% average of the 10 prescribed courses plus 50% average of the most recent two full-time semesters (September-April)
- Minimum
- 75% average across the 10 prescribed courses
The prescribed-course minimum is an average across all 10 courses; individual grades may be below 75% if the combined average meets the minimum.
Admissions tests
- English language proficiency (required for some applicants): If required, demonstrate proficiency through three years of qualifying full-time English-language study or an accepted test. Published DVM minimums include IELTS Academic 7 overall (writing/speaking 7; reading/listening 6.5), TOEFL iBT 100 (speaking/writing 25; reading/listening 22), CAEL 70, or PTE 66. TOEFL Essentials is not accepted.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
Submit structured descriptions of veterinary and animal experience. Veterinary experience involves direct interaction with a qualified veterinarian and may be paid or voluntary. There is no minimum number of hours; experience with varied species is advised. Pet ownership does not count as animal experience.
Supplementary application
Submit required VMCAS materials, including transcripts, experience descriptions and recommendations. Applicants invited to interview also submit a 500-word essay on equity, diversity and inclusion in veterinary medicine; invitation materials provide its submission instructions.
How applicants are ranked
Phase one: Casper 20% and academic achievement 40%. Applicants ranking highly on these measures are invited to interview and submit an essay. Phase two: experience-based interview 30% and personal essay 10%. An interview score below 50% removes an applicant from further consideration.
Interview Format at University of Prince Edward Island
Invited applicants discuss their submitted veterinary and animal experiences and how these shaped their understanding of the profession. An interview score below 50% ends further consideration.
- Who is invited
- Applicants ranking highly on Casper and academic achievement
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine
- Program length
- four-year DVM
- Structure
The first three years combine foundational learning, clinical skills, core courses and electives. Third year requires at least 16 credit hours of electives, mostly offered in five-week modules; fourth year includes core and elective clinical rotations.
- Campuses
- University of Prince Edward Island
Students access hands-on experiences before fourth-year externships, including small animal clinics and livestock facilities. Robust opportunities in equine and food animal medicine reflect AVC's regional strengths.
Campus and facilities
Situated on the University of Prince Edward Island campus in Charlottetown, AVC features modern teaching hospitals and research labs. The college fosters a collaborative environment, drawing regional and international students. Life in PEI offers affordable living and outdoor access. Participate in clubs and wellness programs to build networks; current students emphasize work-life balance amid rigorous rotations.
Tuition and Funding at University of Prince Edward Island
Applicants accepting unsubsidized seats pay unsubsidized tuition and applicable fees throughout the program. UPEI says to expect costs comparable to international tuition rates; fees for the upcoming entry year have not been published. Amounts are quoted in Canadian dollars.
University of Prince Edward Island's Mission and Values
As a regional college emphasizing hands-on veterinary training.
the best and brightest
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students report success with a 3.1 GPA from a biology degree when paired with substantial hands-on hours, and describe robust opportunities in equine and food animal medicine. Recent interviewees report waitlist movement within weeks post-interview. Students report a supportive culture, with forums like Student Doctor Network aiding peer connections during applications and interviews; current students emphasize work-life balance amid rigorous rotations. Forums like Student Doctor Network highlight U.S. students gaining offers with balanced academic and practical profiles.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine Application
- Check AVC's prescribed courses and 75% course-average minimum.
- Document veterinary and animal experiences across species; no minimum hours are specified.
- Check the next published VMCAS and Casper dates before booking.
- Prepare to discuss how your experiences informed your understanding of veterinary medicine.
- If invited, prepare the required equity, diversity and inclusion essay.
More About University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine
- College name
Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC)
- Atlantic provinces for subsidized seats
Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Prince Edward Island Veterinary Medicine
Does Atlantic Veterinary College require Casper for unsubsidized applicants?
AVC's published requirements call for Casper 2 (CSP-10211) in English for unsubsidized applicants. Dates for the next application cycle have not been published.
What GPA do I need for AVC DVM unsubsidized seats?
AVC requires a 75% average across 10 prescribed courses. Its academic score combines that average equally with the most recent two full-time semesters; it does not publish a 3.1 competitive-GPA threshold.
How many unsubsidized seats are available at Atlantic Veterinary College?
AVC lists approximately 41 unsubsidized seats in an approximately 95-student class.
Does AVC DVM have interviews, and what format?
Applicants ranking highly on Casper and academics are invited to discuss their veterinary and animal experiences. AVC has not specified a panel format or published next-cycle interview dates.
Can U.S. applicants apply to AVC unsubsidized DVM?
Yes. U.S. applicants apply for unsubsidized seats through VMCAS. International students need a Canadian study permit to attend UPEI.
What is the AVC DVM curriculum structure?
Core courses plus 16 elective credits, mostly 5-week blocks. Hands-on clinical experience starts before fourth year.
Are there prerequisites for Atlantic Veterinary College DVM?
Yes. AVC specifies 20 university-level courses, including animal biology, genetics, mathematics, chemistry, English composition and electives; specified biology and chemistry courses need labs.
How long is the AVC interview wait time?
AVC has not published next-cycle interview or decision dates for unsubsidized applicants. Invited applicants receive interview and essay submission instructions.
Sources
- UPEI DVM admissions process
- UPEI DVM Applicant Guide
- UPEI DVM admission timeline
- AAVMC VMCAS 2027 Applicant Guide
- UPEI DVM program
- UPEI DVM course structure
- UPEI tuition and fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026