Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will unveil its new BVSci Veterinary Medicine degree at the upcoming London Vet Show on 14-15 November.
As the UK’s latest veterinary degree and the first in Scotland in over 150 years, SRUC’s programme aims to address a shortage of vets in rural areas. The degree programme is hosted within SRUC’s recently established School of Veterinary Medicine, designed to support Scotland’s agricultural and veterinary sectors by fostering rural veterinary expertise.
The SRUC Veterinary School will present its cutting-edge curriculum, teaching faculty, and the innovative approach that distinguishes the programme. Professor Caroline Argo, Dean of Veterinary Medicine and Head of SRUC’s Vet School, expressed enthusiasm about the degree programme’s launch: “With our new degree, we are dedicated to addressing the chronic shortage of vets in rural settings across Scotland in particular, through our unique admissions process and focus on first opinion mixed practice and veterinary public health.”
Targeting Rural Veterinary Shortages and Industry Needs
The SRUC’s new five-year BVSci programme enrolled its first cohort of 43 students at its Aberdeen campus in October. The course includes immersive learning opportunities within agricultural and veterinary industry settings, preparing students with practical experience for careers in rural veterinary practice. This hands-on approach culminates in a final year where students train in local veterinary practices, ensuring graduates are fully prepared to meet the profession’s demands.
SRUC’s approach to the programme is rooted in supporting Scotland’s agricultural sector, with training that not only provides veterinary skills but also addresses public health considerations. The new degree complements SRUC’s position as Scotland’s largest provider of veterinary nursing training, with Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) accredited programmes already available across three campuses.
Alongside the BVSci Veterinary Medicine degree, SRUC will also spotlight its HerdPlan tool, an innovative online platform for livestock health planning. HerdPlan is designed to enhance collaboration between vets and farmers, especially in beef and sheep health management. Developed as a web app, HerdPlan assists farm teams in addressing livestock health issues as they arise, fostering proactive and collaborative responses. The platform includes a free forecasting tool, available to both vets and farmers, enabling more efficient and integrated livestock health management.
SRUC Expands Opportunities in Veterinary Education and Training
The Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), an Inverness-based arm of SRUC, will celebrate its six-month anniversary at the London Vet Show. RAVIC, which has provided support to over 100 businesses so far, offers resources and innovation support to a diverse range of stakeholders, from large multinational companies to small family farms, SMEs, and entrepreneurs.
Visitors to the SRUC stand can learn more about SRUC’s veterinary services, including opportunities for practice partnerships, continuing professional development (CPD) courses for veterinary professionals, and the recently launched microcredential course on Sustainability in Veterinary Practice.
The SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine offers multiple study pathways, such as the BVSci Veterinary Medicine, a veterinary medicine training programme, a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Nursing, an HND in Rural Animal Health, and a veterinary technician training programme. Through these diverse options, SRUC aims to contribute to Scotland’s animal healthcare needs, promoting both educational and professional development within the industry.
Attendees of the London Vet Show are encouraged to visit SRUC’s stand to gain further insights into the programme offerings, learn about collaborative opportunities, and explore the future direction of Scotland’s newest veterinary educational institution.
