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New pathway for aspiring vet students
Students wishing to commence their studies in September 2019 can now apply for the new course.

University introduces preparatory year 

Harper Adams University has introduced a new pathway for students who need additional learning and experience before starting vet school.

The Extended Degree in Bioveterinary Science (Veterinary Science) includes a preparatory year, with a dedicated pathway for aspiring vet school students.

According to the university, this additional year will help students to advance their practical and academic skills, ready for entry to the Harper and Keele Veterinary School in 2020.

The pathway includes two veterinary related vocational skills modules focused on farm and equine, and companion animals respectively. It also allows students to broaden their outlook by studying global issues and their business impact.

Carwyn Ellis, head of the animal production, welfare and veterinary sciences department, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for someone with the required academic achievements who has been unable to obtain the required levels of practical experience to qualify for vet school, to obtain such experience during a structured year for which student finance is available – for both tuition and living costs.

“It’s not unusual for someone to struggle to gain farm experience, as they might not have the connections. But here we have a full working farm with multiple livestock operations, as well as our companion animal house with a range of species, and specialist staff with veterinary practice experience.”

Students wishing to commence their studies in September 2019 can now apply for the new course. Interviews will take place at the end of August.

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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...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."