The first new vet school in Scotland to open in 150 years has received its initial cohort of degree students.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) School of Veterinary Medicine welcomed 45 students to its Aberdeen campus to embark on a five-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSci) programme earlier this month.
“With the launch of this new programme we stand at an historic moment for veterinary education and, as part of this first cohort, you are all making history. You are now on an extremely exciting journey as you begin your studies here in Aberdeen,” said Professor Wayne Powell, principal and chief executive of SRUC, when he welcomed the students and their families to the campus.
More than half of this initial intake come from rural or remote Scottish locations, fulfilling the college’s promise to widen access to the veterinary sector which is experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals entering the industry and an inability to retain domestic veterinary professionals.
Building for the future
The BVSci programme aims to train Scottish, Irish and UK-domiciled students from rural backgrounds who appreciate the challenges and benefits offered by life in remote and rural communities.
“It is now recognised that the UK veterinary profession is failing to achieve self-sufficiency in generating and retaining homegrown talent. This has serious ramifications for key sectors of the profession that are central to Scotland’s ambitions, economy and the sustainability of our rural communities,” said Professor Argo.
“By aligning the attitudes and abilities of our veterinary students more directly with the needs of the Scottish profession, we hope to train the general practitioners that are so essential for our food sector and mixed practices. We are delighted to have welcomed the first cohort of students to SRUC and very much look forward to helping them achieve their ambitions.”
SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine is based on a tertiary model which allows students to progress from HND courses onto its veterinary degree programme.
“I was about 15 when I knew I wanted to be a vet, but when I started the HND I realised I had a lot to learn,” said student Abbi Harcus from East Ayrshire.
“When I finish, I want to go into practice as soon as I can, and I’ll definitely stay in Scotland. There are so many rural areas that struggle to keep vets, staying in the industry is tough. I’m ready for it, and I think things are going to start changing soon. Everything I’ve learned with my HND will be really important when I finish and go into practice, it’s been the best start I could have had. Everything has just worked out so well.”
