The Part II - Year 3

Student with microscope

General Information

An advantage of the Cambridge veterinary medicine course is that it provides a year of specialist study in any one of a wide range of subjects. An enormous range of courses is available in year three. You may take in-depth courses in many of the subjects studied in your first two years; these are offered in the NST Part II courses. Alternatively, you may wish to combine depth with breadth and the opportunity to study new subjects by taking advantage of the broad range of options in NST Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS). Finally, you may choose to take courses in something rather different, such as Anthropology, Law, Management Studies or Philosophy.

In making your choice for your third year, it is essential that you consult your Director of Studies.

As a Part II student the majority of your work will be for the Tripos rather than your 2nd Vet MB. However, this does not mean that your essential veterinary education can be neglected. Whether you are reading NST Part II Biological and Biomedical Sciences, NST Single Subject Part II or participating in a different tripos you must meet the commitments of your veterinary course.

Your clinical destination will be Madingley. It is a requirement for entry into the clinical years that students provide evidence of having satisfactorily carried out at least twelve weeks' work on a farm, or with the larger farm animals. It is your responsibility to arrange this. Full details are given in the Farm Practice booklet distributed to all vet students, and further advice may be obtained from the Farm Practice Secretary or the organiser of the Principles of Animal Management/Preparing for the Veterinary Profession courses.

Your Director of Studies, and the "Part II Subjects Fair" in April of your second year will help you make the decision about what to study for Part II. If you are an affiliate student (if you have already graduated), you skip this year.

Courses available in 2024-25

NST Part II Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)

NST Part II BBS is open to all students, whether Natural Scientists, Medics, or Vets. It offers students the opportunity both to continue existing subjects and to take up new ones, providing an exceptionally broad range of possibilities across the biological and biomedical sciences. This is a particularly valuable opportunity for students who do not wish to continue in experimental science after their first degree. Students take a Major Subject and a Minor Subject. Instead of a lab project, all BBS students write a dissertation of not more than 6,000 words on a subject associated with either the Major or Minor subject taken.

You can view a copy of the latest BBS Student Handbook on the BBS webpage linked above. Please note some combinations of Major and Minor subjects are prohibited because of timetable clashes.

Natural Sciences Tripos, Part II Single Subject

Entry in certain Part II subjects is limited and departments publicise their own selection procedures. The courses available to students with a biological/medical/veterinary background are

Another Tripos

Other subjects that have proved popular with Vets in the past include:

You might also consider another Tripos such as Computer Sciences, Engineering, Modern and Medieval Languages, or English if you are suitably qualified. Your Director of Studies, and the Director of Studies at your College in the subject, will be able to advise you.

Remember To Consult Your Director Of Studies

Part II Subject Fair

Every year the Faculty Board of Biology organises a Fair to inform second-year students of the options open to them in their third year. There is an in -person subject fair and a supporting Moodle site with course information and details of any virtual events or Q&A sessions available. You can self-enrol to the Moodle site by searching Part II subject fair, this site will be open after the division of Lent Term.

Overall class following the Part II

From Easter 2023, all students will receive an overall class following completion of their Part II year.  The overall class may incorporate marks from the Part IA or Part IB years as well as the Part II marks.  The Natural Sciences Tripos will produce an overall class based solely on the Part II mark i.e. your overall class will be the same as your Part II class.  However other Triposes may have different overall classing methods, and in choosing a Part II you should consult the course literature or contact the relevant Course Organisers for information on this.