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New Scottish vet school opens for applications
“In light of Brexit and border policy changes, it is now essential for Scotland that we build new homegrown talent pools for ourselves” – Caroline Argo.
The school will train vets for food sector and rural mixed practices.

Scotland’s first new veterinary school in more than a century is now open for applications.

Prospective students can apply through clearing for a place at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

The school plans to register the first cohort of students on its Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSci) degree in mid-October or early November.

The new veterinary school is the third in Scotland, joining the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Glasgow. It will prepare students for work in rural mixed practice and the agricultural and food sectors.

Caroline Argo, dean of veterinary medicine and head of school, said: “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 Scotland’s farmers. We are seeking to address this by training the vets that are so essential for our food sector and mixed, rural practices.

“The UK’s vet schools produce professionals of the very highest standard, but changes in the labour market mean that the veterinary profession remains on the Home Office’s ‘Shortage Occupation List’ and has a high turnover rate together with large dependency on non-UK, largely EU vets to address shortfalls in priority areas. These areas include remote and rural practice, veterinary public health, livestock health and welfare, and government services, including certification.

“In light of Brexit and border policy changes, it is now essential for Scotland that we build new homegrown talent pools for ourselves, and equip them with the specialist skills, resilience and diversity that our rural communities, government and food sectors require.”

Applications can be made via the SRUC website.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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