Why study Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh?

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS), established in 1823 by William Dick, was the first veterinary school in Scotland, and the second in the UK. It now forms a School within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. BVM&S teaching takes place at the Easter Bush campus, home to the Hospital for Small Animals, the Large Animal Hospital and new state-of-the-art teaching facilities. Close to Easter Bush is Langhill, the School’s centre for cattle enterprise, where you will learn animal handling and farm animal medicine. The School has links with Edinburgh Zoo and African wildlife projects. Our own unique Exotics and Wildlife Service, within the Hospital for Small Animals, provides first-hand experience with dealing with pets such as rabbits and tortoises, as well as wildlife native to the UK.

As well as offering a degree which is registerable by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK and EU, in 2002 and 2009 the School was awarded unconditional accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for the maximum period of seven years. This permits graduates from Edinburgh to practise in North America as if they had graduated from an AVMA-approved North American veterinary establishment.

Edinburgh is a research-driven university and in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) the R(D)SVS was the UK’s top rated Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons accredited school.

What does the degree involve?

The BVM&S degree, which stands for Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, is a five-year programme. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on the acquisition of transferable skills including effective communication, team building and an understanding of business management. Students keep electronic personal development portfolios to encourage reflective learning and to maintain a record of experiences during extramural studies.

In addition, we offer a bespoke four-year BVM&S Graduate Entry Programme (GEP) for candidates with an appropriate biological science degree. Following successful completion of a one year programme, which has been specifically designed around the needs of graduate entrants, GEP students then join Year Three of the five-year BVM&S course.

Students keep a personal and professional development portfolio throughout the BVM&S programme to record elements of study in the professional and clinical skills course. Several courses run across one or more years of the curriculum.

In first year, the major courses are The Animal Body 1 & 2 which integrate anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, introductory pathology and infection & immunity. You will also take courses in animal health, welfare and food safety, and begin courses in professional and clinical skills.

In your second year you will continue to study integrated anatomy, physiology and pathology in The Animal Body 3 & 4. Animal health, welfare and food safety, and professional and clinical skills courses also continue.

In addition, you will work on a group-based, student-selected component.

In your third year you will study the clinical foundation course (anaesthesia, surgery, diagnostic imaging, pharmacology, clinical oncology and evidence-based veterinary medicine), veterinary pathology and the dog and cat integrated clinical course. Animal health, welfare and food safety, and professional and clinical skills courses continue.

You will select a research project to work on over the next two years as your second student-selected component.

In fourth year, species-based clinical studies continue with the farm animal, equine and exotics integrated clinical courses and Veterinary Public Health (Food Safety). You will continue to plan and then carry out your smallresearch project in your chosen area of veterinary medicine. The professional and clinical skills course focuses on preparation for the final clinical year.

In your fifth year the emphasis is on practical experience and you will undertake clinical rotations in our hospitals and support services, giving you practical experience in a wide range of disciplines. There are externship and elective periods to allow focus on areas of individual interest. You will bring together your personal and professional development portfolio.

In each year the amount of factual information to be learned is substantial and the pressure on veterinary students is intense. It is vital, therefore, that applicants are sure of their motivation and their commitment to a very demanding undergraduate curriculum.

Extramural StudiesThe Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons requires all veterinary students to undertake 38 weeks of extramural studies in the UK and abroad. You will study a range of veterinary-related activities and will be able to choose topics according to your personal interest.

ElectivesThe degree programme includes a range of elective and externship options. You will have the opportunity to work with international experts and gain experience in your chosen area of interest. You will also have opportunities to undertake a clinical or laboratory-based research elective in your summer vacation.

Veterinary Medicine

The University of EdinburghCollege of Medicine and Veterinary MedicineApril 2014

What does a career as a Veterinary Surgeon involve?

Although mixed general practice still employs a large number of graduates, there has been a gradual shift towards more specialised types of practice. Some specialise in small animal, equine, or farm animal practice, but others may focus on exotic animals, wildlife, laboratory animals, poultry or aquaculture (e.g. salmon farming). There are openings in developing countries where guidance in livestock husbandry and in control of animal disease has profound effects on the local economy. Such countries may have openings for veterinarians to play a major role in the study of the epidemiology and control of diseases of wildlife, and in the conservation of endangered species.

Veterinary training also provides an outstanding background for those who wish to pursue a career in biomedical research, which includes both veterinary and human medicine. Indeed, a number of leading scientists in medical research were originally trained as veterinarians. The School incorporates the Roslin Institute which, along with the Moredun Research Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), are members of the Easter Bush Research Consortium (EBRC) – representing one of the highest concentration of animal scientists in the world.

Degrees in Veterinary Medicine

BVM&S in:Veterinary Medicine (5-year programme)Veterinary Medicine (4-year Graduate Entry programme)

Can I take any additional Veterinary Qualifications?Students can interrupt their veterinary studies for a year and take an Intercalated BSc (Vet Sci) Honours degree after the successful completion of their second or subsequent years. The course consists of a year of advanced study in one of the following Honours schools: Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Infectious Diseases and Zoology. Other options are possible. It is also possible to take a one year MSc by research and a three-year intercalated PhD. You can also enrol on to the prestigious taught MSc in Animal Welfare and Behaviour, the MSc in Equine Science, MSc in Animal Bioscience or the new MSc One Health.

What sort of teaching and assessment methods are used?A wide variety of teaching and learning methods are used to ensure an optimal blend of teaching techniques – from traditional lectures, to modern e-learning methods and student-centred approaches. Professional examinations may include a mix of written and practical components with contributions from in-course assessment, continuous assessment or project work.

What are admissions staff looking for?

• Competition for a place to study Veterinary Medicine is very intense – for 2014 entry, approximately 1000 applications were received for the 72 government funded places available.

• The academic subjects and grades required to enter the selection process are shown in the current University Undergraduate Prospectus and at: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees

• Additionally, veterinary and animal-based work experience is required.

Is there a minimum age requirement?

There are no age restrictions for entry to the Veterinary Medicine degree.

How much practical experience should I gain?As much and as varied as possible. This should include seeing veterinary practice, both large and small animal if possible, and spending time on livestock farms (dairying and lambing are particularly useful) and other animal establishments, for example, zoos, kennels, catteries, wildlife centres, pig farms, poultry farms and stables. A day at an abattoir is recommended but not demanded. Experience gained in veterinary or biomedical research laboratories is also encouraged to help candidates appreciate the scientific basis of veterinary medicine.

We do not specify a required amount of work experience as it depends, to some extent, on the opportunities available to individual candidates.

Specific details of your practical experience (number of days/weeks spent and species worked with) should be clearly shown in the personal statement section of your UCAS form.

When applying, all candidates should also submit a Work Experience Summary (WES) form providing a summary of all relevant experience, together with its duration and contact details. The form is available to download from:www.ed.ac.uk/vet/work-experience/form and should be completed and returned to the Admissions Office. The deadline for the return of the WES form is 1st November. References are not required at this stage but may be requested if a candidate is called for interview. Further information on work experience is available from the Admissions Office.

How do I apply for the degree?

All applications are through the standard UCAS route and must be submitted by the deadline of 15 October. You can apply to a maximum of four veterinary schools. In view of the fierce competition for veterinary places, applicants should consider using their remaining choice for an alternative course. This does not prejudice a candidate’s application to Veterinary Medicine.

To download our Applying for Veterinary Studies booklet, please visit: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/vet/studying/bvms-booklet

Can I defer entry?The selectors do not normally offer deferred places. Candidates should apply through UCAS by 15th October prior to the year in which they wish to gain entry. Anyone taking a gap year should use the opportunity to extend and enhance their relevant practical experience.

How many applications can I make to this veterinary school?We will only accept two applications from any one candidate for our funded places.

When will I hear the outcome of my application?The selectors consider UCAS applications from the end of October with all short-listed candidates normally offered an interview. The interviews are held between February and March. The Edinburgh BVM&S interview format is a form of multiple mini interview. Further information is available here: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/vet/studying/uk-eu-school-leavers/how-to-apply

Please note that, although the selectors may advise candidates of a decision within a month of the interview, decisions are processed right up until the end of March.

How do I find out more?You will find our most up to date entry requirements at: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees

If you require further information, or wish to discuss any aspects of the admissions procedure, please contact:

The Admissions OfficerThe Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesUniversity of EdinburghEaster Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG

Tel: 0131 650 6178Email: vetug@ed.ac.ukWeb: www.ed.ac.uk/vet twitter/EdinburghVets facebook/dickvetadmissions

For more detailed information on degree structure and content, please also see:www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/student-recruitment/publications-resources/degree-programmes

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this leaflet at the time of going to press. However, it will not form part of a contract between the University and a student or applicant and must be read in conjunction with the Terms and Conditions of Admission set out in the Undergraduate Prospectus. Printed on recycled paper for Student Recruitment and Admissions – www.ed.ac.uk/student-recruitment. PDF version available at: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/information-sheets

Typical degree curriculum: Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S)

1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year 5th Year

The Animal Body 1 & 2 (Integrated anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and infection & immunity)

Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety 1

Professional and Clinical Skills

The Animal Body 3 & 4

Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety 2

Group-based, student- selected component

Professional and Clinical Skills

Clinical Foundation Course (surgery, diagnostic imaging, applied pharmacology, anaesthesia, clinical oncology and evidence-based veterinary medicine)

Veterinary Pathology Dog and Cat Integrated Clinical Course

Animal Health, Welfare and Food Safety 3

Professional and Clinical Skills

Research Project

Farm Animal, Equine and Exotics Integrated Clinical Courses

Clinical Induction, Integration and Consolidation Course

Veterinary Public Health (Food Safety)

Professional and Clinical Skills

Practical and Clinical Rotations

Externship & Electives

Student-selected component