News

Update on the Veterinary Schools Council’s response to COVID-19

The Veterinary Schools Council has today provided an update on its work to find solutions to the complex challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic for veterinary education and training. This document explains the rationale behind the different approaches taken by veterinary schools with respect to issues such as returning to campus, testing, and assessment. VSC […]

VSC and RCVS launch survey with recent graduates on Covid-19 impact

The Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) has joined the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in launching a joint survey with veterinary surgeons who have recently graduated from UK vet schools to determine if and how the coronavirus pandemic has affected them. The survey has been sent to 984 veterinary surgeons who graduated from one of […]

Reaching out to support veterinary researchers

High-quality mentorship is important in both encouraging vets to enter research and in supporting them to maximise their career opportunities once this journey has started. Numerous scientific organisations offer mentorship programmes, with the Academy of Medical Sciences’ programme being particularly well established within the sector. Until recently, however, there was no dedicated mentorship programme for veterinary […]

Veterinary Schools Council warmly welcomes the new cohort of students!

The Veterinary Schools Council are pleased to welcome the new 2020 cohort of students. Veterinary schools have been working hard to prepare teaching for the next generation of vets, particularly in light of the global pandemic. Appropriate changes have been made to buildings and courses so that students can be taught safely. These changes ensure […]

VSC publishes new edition of admissions guide for veterinary medicine

The Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) has today published its admissions guide for applications to veterinary medicine courses in 2020. Produced by the VSC Admissions Committee, the guide contains information on entry requirements and provides technical information about the selection processes at different veterinary schools. It allows each veterinary school an equal chance to explain their […]

New data released from second national survey on veterinary graduate competency

The Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have today published the results of the Graduate and Employer Surveys for 2019. New data will allow UK and Irish veterinary schools to begin to compare current perceptions of recent graduate competency to the results of the first national survey conducted in […]

Combined lobbying effort sees vet courses gain ability to apply for extra student places

A joint lobbying effort by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) has seen the Department of Education add veterinary medicine to the list of subjects that can apply for additional student places if needed. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of […]

New statement on contingency plans for veterinary education during the Covid-19 pandemic

The Veterinary Schools Council has today issued a statement detailing UK veterinary schools’ contingency plans for continuing veterinary education during the Covid-19 pandemic. The core principle underlying this statement is that high quality veterinary education must be facilitated as the UK needs new vets entering the profession on a yearly basis. Read the statement in […]

Letter to the Department of Education regarding a potential cap on student numbers in 2021

A joint letter from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Veterinary Association and the Veterinary Schools Council to Michelle Donelan MP, the Minister of State for Universities at the Department of Education, relaying concerns over the proposed cap on student numbers in 2021. Download the letter here.

Statement on employment prospects for final year veterinary students

Heads of Veterinary Schools would like to reassure final year students of their employment prospects. The veterinary sector may soon look slightly different but there will be vast opportunities for workplaces to welcome the most recent cohort of newly qualified veterinary surgeons. A degree in veterinary medicine continues to represent a ticket to diverse, secure, […]