Frequently Asked Questions

St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SMUSVM) is situated on the Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, located in the Caribbean.

Quality Education

Small class sizes and expert faculty to assist your learning. St. Matthew’s Veterinary students have amazing pass rates on licensing exams and through SMUSVM’s rigorous curriculum, students are well-prepared for licensing examinations.

Amazing Campus and Location

The Cayman Islands’ remarkable success as a financial center and tourist destination has transformed the nation into a dynamic society that has every modern convenience but still retains the charm and vibrancy of the Caribbean. People from more than 100 countries live and work in this British Overseas Territory, creating a lively and unique blend of cultures.

An outstanding preclinical curriculum and the clinical shadowing programs at Cayman veterinary hospitals and clinics help our students understand the powerful link between Basic Sciences and clinical practice. This is a great way to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of veterinary medicine. The state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and learning platforms at St. Matthew’s University are among the most advanced in veterinary education today.

Qualified Faculty

Highly experienced faculty travel from all over the globe to deliver a curriculum that they are passionate and proud of. They are dedicated to ensuring that veterinary students’ progress into their clinical studies and onto fulfilling and successful careers.

The first two years of our medical sciences curriculum are completed on our campus in Grand Cayman. Following that, you will spend one year completing clinicals at our affiliated clinical sites in the United States.

Incoming students are expected to arrive on the island approximately one week prior to the start of classes. During this week, you will complete the necessary check-in procedures for your classes, explore your new home and participate in an orientation program where you will have the opportunity to meet your classmates, faculty, and staff and other members of our community.

Many family members and companions choose to accompany their loved ones to the Cayman Islands. Children of various ages, from infants to late adolescents, are welcome. The Cayman Islands can issue a visa that allows companions to work and reside there. There is a range of housing options available for couples and families, both in close proximity to the campus and centrally located in Georgetown.

Bringing pets to the Cayman Islands is permitted. However, you will need an import permit or a valid animal passport issued by the Department of Agriculture, along with an official health certificate issued by a government-employed or accredited veterinary inspector in the country of origin, for the importation of dogs and cats. Since Grand Cayman is a rabies-free area, all pets must have proof of regular vaccination and a demonstrated rabies titer.

St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine’s DVM program has the necessary recognition and approvals for its graduates to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, and around the world. St. Matthew’s received its American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) listing in December 2005 and is a Member Institution of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

In January 2024, St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine initiated the process to pursue full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA COE). For more information, visit our recognition and approval.

St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine offers a Pre-Veterinary Master’s Program. Please visit our pre-vet program page for additional information.

While many of our students are residents of the United States, St. Matthew’s University takes pride in having a highly diverse student population. Our student body represents over 40 countries.

To ensure individual attention, class sizes at St. Matthew’s University are typically between 10 and 20 students. The ratio of students to full-time faculty is five to one, allowing for a high level of support and attention.

Graduates of St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine have obtained clinical placements throughout the United States and Canada.

During the 6th semester, school officials work closely with students to place them into a clinical program at one of their U.S. affiliate schools for their 7th semester.

Students have the option to complete clinical rotations in the United States. Graduates of the program can seek licensure in the United States and Canada through different pathways. They can obtain licensure through the Education Committee of Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG), which allows them to be licensed in the United States and other countries accepting ECFVG certification. Another pathway is certification through The Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE®).

In Canada, achieving licensure requires two years of pre-veterinary university studies, followed by a four to five-year university degree in veterinary medicine. Graduates also need to successfully complete an examination leading to a national certification. Additionally, completion of a residency program in their chosen specialty is necessary. Passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) is also a requirement for practicing veterinary medicine in Canada.  Provincial license is required to practice in Canada.

Please visit our tuition & fees page for additional details.

Students enrolled in the program at St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine are not eligible for U.S. Federal Financial Aid. However, there are several scholarships available for them, including the Faculty Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, President’s Scholarship, and Future Veterinarian Scholarship.

Canadian students can apply for Federal Loans through the Ministry of Education Student Support Branch in their respective province of residence. For instance, Ontario residents can apply for an OSAP loan. These loans provide financial assistance for up to 52 weeks per year. Canadian students should contact their province directly for more information on additional requirements. The school code for St. Matthew’s University is NUBQ.

St. Matthew’s University offers various scholarships to students, including Academic Scholarships, Cayman Islands Scholarships, Transfer Scholarships, and Canadian Grants.

The DVM program has specific requirements that need to be fulfilled to apply. These include having a bachelor’s degree or higher, completing the necessary prerequisite coursework, providing two letters of recommendation, and writing a personal statement. You can find a comprehensive list of all the requirements on our website.

You can submit your application Even if you need a document or two. You have the option to send any additional materials or updated transcripts later to admissions@stmatthews.edu.

For admission to the DVM program, the following prerequisite courses are necessary: General Biology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, College Math or Computer Science, and Language Arts (English).

In addition to your application, please ensure that you submit the following documents to complete the application process:

Transcripts: Official transcript(s) from each college/university or professional school you have attended. Student-issued copies may be acceptable temporarily, but official transcripts are ultimately required.

Personal Statement: Your personal statement should address the following points:

• Your motivation for pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.
• How you believe you can contribute to St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine.  – Any notable achievements, activities, personal interests, or unique aspects of your pre-veterinary preparation.
• Any additional information that you believe would assist the Admissions Committee in evaluating your application. We recommend limiting your personal statement to a maximum of 500 words. You can attach your personal statement to your online application.

Letters of recommendation: You are required to submit two letters of recommendation. If you have evaluations from a college pre-veterinary medical committee, you can submit those instead of individual letters.

As English is the primary language of instruction at SMUSVM, it is crucial for applicants to be academically prepared to engage with the curriculum and communicate effectively. If English is not the applicant’s first language, they may be asked to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Undergraduate coursework must be completed at accredited colleges and universities worldwide. If you have academic transcripts from a college or university outside of the United States and Canada, it is necessary to have them evaluated on a course-by-course basis. This evaluation can be done by reputable evaluation services such as World Evaluation Services, Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.  or any service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

No, we do not have a minimum GPA requirement. At St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, we take a holistic approach to applicant evaluation. We seek individuals who exhibit a genuine passion for veterinary medicine, a dedication to serving animals and their owners, and a demonstrated strong work ethic. Our aim is to select students who show promise not only in their academic pursuits but also in their future roles as compassionate and skilled veterinarians.

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis, meaning we accept applications throughout the year. To ensure a smooth enrollment process, we recommend that students submit their applications at least two months before the January, May, or September semester they intend to join. This time frame allows students to secure a spot in their desired semester. If an application is received after a class has reached its maximum capacity, it will be automatically considered for the next available semester.

After we receive your application and conduct a personal interview, it usually takes around two (2) weeks to process your complete application.