Saint Petersburg State University of Veterinary Medicine is the oldest educational institution and the birthplace of higher veterinary education in Russia, with more than 200 years of history. The scientific and pedagogical schools of the university, developed over centuries, and its personnel potential are aimed at solving state problems of providing the country with highly qualified specialists. The university employs a team of scientists recognized not only in Russia, but also abroad. More than 80% of the teaching staff have academic degrees and titles. Currently, almost 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students study at 4 faculties and 23 departments of the university.

History: The Veterinary University dates back to the veterinary department created in 1808 within the Imperial Medical and Surgical Academy. In 1873, the veterinary department was reorganized into an institute at the same academy, which was closed in 1883. The establishment of the institute in Petrograd began with the resolution of the board of the Health Commissariat of the Northern Region commune on September 21, 1919. It was decided to open a laboratory consisting of 6 departments, and, together with the Education Commissariat, to develop in detail the regulations for the organization of a veterinary and zootechnical institute in Petrograd. On December 5, 1918, the founding committee met to create a higher veterinary educational institution in the Northern Region. Since 1924, the university has been called the Leningrad Veterinary Institute.