BVSci Veterinary Science

Apply for this course using the 'Apply now' link on this page which will guide you through the application process on the UCAS website. Additional information will also be required as part of your application process:

1. Vocational Experience Summary
   

   The Vocational Experience Summary is a method by which the SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine's Admissions Committee can learn more about your vocational experiences related to your ambitions to join the BVSci programme.

   The School of Veterinary Medicine has a commitment to rural and remote communities, veterinary practices and the rural economy and as such would like to learn more about your experiences in these areas.

   You will be asked to detail relevant experiences in each of three areas: Veterinary experience i.e. Time spent in a veterinary practice; other animal experience i.e. Time spent on farms or stables etc; and other vocational experiences i.e. Paid or voluntary work or leadership roles.

   Whilst providing details of where you had these experiences, we will also ask you to detail your key duties or the activities you participated in, what you learned from the experiences, your reflections of the experience and what skills you would like to develop in future related experiences.

   Finally, we will ask you describe a challenging experience you have had during one of these placements/roles, we would like to know how you coped with the situation and on reflection what you learned from it.

   https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sruc/ves-form

2. A letter to the Head of School
   

   Your Letter to the Head of School is a method by which we can see how your background and experiences align with SRUC and the School of Veterinary Medicine’s mission. In this short (3,000 character; approximately 600 word) free text submission we would like you to discuss the following:

   • You should reflect on your experiences of, and contributions to, communities, particularly those of a rural or remote nature.
   • You should demonstrate knowledge of the rural economy and its importance in the remote and rural sectors.
   • You should include your thoughts on how the veterinary profession can help support rural communities and businesses, now and in the future.

   You are free to reference your work in the Harvard reference style, however reference lists should be included in the subsequent free text box, not in the first.

   https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sruc/letter-to-head-of-school
   
   

3. Reference Form
   

   The personal reference will be used by the SRUC SVM Admissions Committee as an important part of the application process for the BVSci Veterinary Science degree.

   We are asking candidates to identify one person to act as a referee to support your application. To aid you in selecting a suitable referee we will be asking them to comment on your aptitude for the veterinary profession by commenting on;

   • Your aptitude for a career in animal health.
   • Your ability to work with a range of persons from different backgrounds as well as your ability to work successfully as part of a team.

   Your referee should ideally not be a teacher or the same person who provided your UCAS reference. A good example would be a reference from someone who you have worked with during a period of work experience.

   You will need to forward the below link to your referee for completion. They will need to input your First Name and Surname as it appears on your application.

   https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/sruc/reference-form
   

Once we have received your UCAS application and supporting information, all applications are ranked by the SRUC admissions team, which includes School of Veterinary Medicine staff.

If you are successful in the initial written application, you will then be invited to interview. 

2 Advanced Highers at BB including one science subject (Chemistry, Physics, Biology) plus

5 Highers at AABBB  including at least two science subjects (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Human Biology, or Maths/Applications of Maths) plus

Achieving a minimum of 5 subjects at National 5 subjects (Grades A-C) including Maths/Applications of Maths (B) and English (C)

Recent and relevant vocational experience is also required.

No minimum amount of experience is required, with candidates being expected to demonstrate recent and relevant practical experience in primarily large animals (farm and horses) and veterinary practice environments, in line with the school’s mission.

SRUC recognises that an individual’s opportunities are very dependent on availability and their resources and if this has not been possible, please notify us directly.

Comparable Qualifications:

3 A Levels at ABB including one science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths), with a minimum of 5 GCSE subjects (Grades A/9-C/4) including English (C/4) and Maths (B/6)

Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) achieving a minimum of 5 JCPA subjects including English (Merit or above) and Maths (Merit or above) plus 5 Irish Leaving Certificate subjects at Higher level at H1, H2, H2, H3, H3 including at least 2 science subjects (Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths)

Note – SRUC does not use the Irish points system, we will look at the individual subjects and grades, but for reference we are seeking approx. 420 points.

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland

This course is studied at our Aberdeen campus. Learn more about the campus, facilities available, city and student life by visiting our Aberdeen campus page. 

Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: internationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form

BSc (Hons) Animal Welfare Science

BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Science

BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Management

BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing

BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation Management

In years one and two this overarching module will introduce topics such as anatomy, physiology and pathology separated into the different biological systems (e.g. Cardiovascular, Digestion, Endocrine etc.)  that all animal species have. By teaching by system rather than species we aim to enable our students to transfer their knowledge and skills to better cope with any situation they find themselves in.

This vertical thread runs through all 5 years of the programme and introduces students to the key knowledge and skills required to contribute to One Health and food security. This innovative course will result in APHA Official Veterinarian qualifications for all our students in the primary areas necessary to perform these roles once qualified and the opportunity to achieve further APHA and FSS qualifications at, or soon after, graduation.

This second vertical theme which runs through the programme will enable students to practice and perfect their animal handling, clinical skills and human skills. Classes will support students to develop their own learning pathways and provide opportunities to discuss their development with academic tutors and clinical mentors. Students will maintain a portfolio throughout this module where they can deposit assessment work, reflections on their studies, monitor their own progression and log details of their EMS.

This overarching module in years 3 and 4 follows on from the foundations built in the Veterinary Biology modules in years 1 and 2. In this module the systems-based approach will continue but will introduce students to Evidence based veterinary medicine, pharmacology, diagnostic imaging, veterinary medicine and veterinary surgery. Students will further develop their clinical reasoning skills and be able to design diagnostic, surgical and medical treatment plans whilst considering the impact and benefit to patient and client.