The University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice, as a public higher education institution, fulfils its mission in the system of higher education institutions in accordance with the Act No. 131/2002 of the Code on higher education and on the change and supplement to some acts. It is the only institution of its kind providing undergraduate and postgraduate veterinary education in the Slovak Republic.

The main mission of the University of Veterinary Education in Košice is to provide higher undergraduate and postgraduate veterinary education on the basis of creative scientific research in the field of veterinary science and pharmacy.

Veterinary medicine in the European Union belongs among 5 so-called regulated professions and the study must meet the EU regulations. On the basis of evaluation by the Education Committee of European Association Establishments for Veterinary Education, the University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice was put on the “EAEVE List of evaluated and recommended veterinary education establishments” and it was stated that the study programmes “General veterinary medicine” and “Food hygiene” comply with the requirements of EU Directive 2005/36/ES (previously Directives 78/1026/EEC and 78/1027/EEC).

The University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice provides education within the framework of the study programme General Veterinary Medicine in English language in two different courses:

1. 6-year study. Applicants who graduated from general secondary school are admitted to the 1st year of this 6-year course on the basis of results of their respective entrance examination. They complete their study after successful passing of prescribed state exams and defence of diploma thesis in the 6th year of study, on the basis of which they are awarded the title DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine).

2. Post-bachelor study. Admission to this form of study is subject to successful completion of the Ist level of higher education of relevant orientation, i.e. bachelor study, for example bachelor of veterinary science, bachelor of life sciences, on the basis of which the applicants are awarded the title bachelor by the university which provided the 3-year bachelor education. Graduates of the bachelor study programmes are admitted to the University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice to the 3rd year of the so-called post-BSc. study and complete their study in the 6th year (4-year course), when they are awarded the title DVM.

University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice provides education of the third level in 16 accredited study programmes for full-time and external postgraduate students, with the standard length of study 4 and 5 years (8 and 10 semesters).

During the study the profile of general veterinary medicine study branch graduate is aimed mostly at specific activities in the field of state administration, as a private veterinary doctor, in the field of laboratory practice, private sphere of agriculture, food industry, pharmacy, in education, scientific and research sphere and in environmental protection.

The study priority is obtaining theoretical and practical knowledge of specific clinical subjects according to animal species and from the point of view of internal, infectious, invasive diseases and toxic and metabolic disorders and impairment of organism by radiation and other unfavourable effects of the environment.

The graduate should have thorough knowledge about diseases common to both man and animals. This way they can contribute to protection of human health and lower incidence of zoonoses in human population.

The study course includes also food hygiene subjects. It enables the graduate to perform the state inspection in food production hygiene and control the state border protection from veterinary and hygiene aspects.

The University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice has the following centres for the practical teaching:

1.Special Centre for Study of Breeding and Diseases of Wild Animals, Bees and Fish
This station was opened more than 30 years ago and has obtained important results in the rearing of birds – pheasants and field partridges. Their production is ensured by hatching the eggs with artificial mothers. Here, the students gain knowledge about the breeding and the diseases of wild animal, bees and fish. One may choose hunting as an optional study and study the breeding and diseases of game at the university.

2. The University Farm
The University Farm is situated 35 kilometres south-east of Košice. It deals mainly with cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals. The farm owns 1600 heads of cattle, 3000 pigs and 500 sheep.
Here, first-year students encounter animal rearing and hygiene. In the fifth and sixth years of study, students deal with the diagnosis and therapy of animal diseases.. Practical exercises vary from a single full day to five-day teaching blocks.

3. Horse farm
The horse farm is situated in Košice. The Ridding Club where equestrianism is taught. (Both theoretical and practical lessons). Practical exercises related to the training and diseases of horses take place in the riding area, which holds racing horses. Of particular interest are the vaulting and dressage groups.

4. Small animal clinics
The aim of field experience is to get acquainted with the organisation and practical work of private veterinary doctors. The students are practising in special veterinary ambulances and services performing veterinary duties (preventive, prophylactic and therapeutic actions), keeping evidence of the field experience and participating in preventive and medical actions under the supervision of veterinary doctors, in agreement with legislative provisions of the respective country.

The university provides suitable conditions for various extra curriculum activities and interests:

• The Ridding Club where equestrianism is taught. (Both theoretical and practical lessons). Practical exercises related to the training and diseases of horses take place in the riding area, which holds racing horses. Of particular interest are the vaulting and dressage groups.
• The Aqua-Terra Club is situated in a separate part of the residence halls. This club is for students interested in the rearing of reptiles and aquarium fish. It is attractive and often visited by junior-school students.
• The Cynological Club is divided into two parts: guardian dogs training (obedience training, tracking, defence) and hunting dogs training. Students can train their dogs in the cynological club area. The number of people activities is rising rapidly every year.
• The Flora Club members deal with plant growing. The club is situated at the residence halls.
• The F-Club is one of the most active clubs in the city. Students use this club for rest and relaxation. Cultural events and modern musical entertainment take place in this club, which is situated in the pleasant surrounding of the residence halls on Pod Hradovou Road.