Budding veterinarians now have the opportunity to apply for a place at Scotland’s first new veterinary school in over a century.

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

The organisation aims to welcome its inaugural cohort for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSci) program in Aberdeen by mid-October to early November.

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Successful applicants will be notified directly to confirm their start date after the interview process.

As the third veterinary school in Scotland and the first in over 150 years, the SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine will employ innovative teaching methods to train students for careers in the critical fields of rural mixed practice, agriculture, and food sectors.

The new curriculum will immerse students in practical experiences while addressing key issues in the broader rural and veterinary sectors.

Professor Caroline Argo, dean of veterinary medicine and head of school, stated: “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.

She added: “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.

Professor Argo emphasised: “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.”

For application details, visit www.sruc.ac.uk/clearing