Atlantic Veterinary College expands access to Canadian veterinary students

The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) is opening the door to more Canadian veterinary students by reclassifying its 19 international seats as unsubsidized, beginning with the 2025–2026 admissions cycle. 

AVC has 70 seats in total for veterinary students, 51 of which are subsidized by the four Atlantic provinces—Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The other 19 were previously designated as international seats but are now termed “unsubsidized.”

AVC Dean Dr. Dominique Griffon said the change is designed to better support Canadian students and to ensure the continued strength and sustainability of the doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) program at UPEI.

“This is a student-centered decision that expands opportunity for qualified Canadian applicants,” said Dr. Griffon. “Each year, many strong candidates seek veterinary education outside the country due to limited availability of provincially subsidized seats at Canadian veterinary colleges.”

Currently, Canadian applicants who are not selected for a subsidized seat at AVC often pursue international veterinary education programs, such as those in the United States, United Kingdom, Caribbean, or Australia. Students admitted to unsubsidized seats at AVC will pay tuition and fees that will align with those paid by international students, which is comparable to tuition costs abroad. 

While unsubsidized seats are now available to Canadian applicants, they remain accessible to international applicants from around the world. All applicants, whether subsidized or unsubsidized, will be required to meet the same high academic and professional standards that are required to be accepted to the AVC.

“This change preserves our core commitment to the Atlantic provinces, while offering more options to talented students across the country,” said Dr. Griffon. “It ensures that excellence and opportunity remain central to AVC’s mission, both in Atlantic Canada and beyond.”

AVC will continue to uphold its commitments to the Atlantic provinces through its subsidized admissions stream. The College will continue to work with the Atlantic provinces to explore future growth in seat capacity, recruitment, and retention to meet the region’s evolving veterinary needs. 

For more information about the admissions process and seat options at AVC, visit https://www.upei.ca/programs/doctor-veterinary-medicine.