Paper 9
Guaranteed Placement Scheme
Background:
With the increasing numbers of US students studying at the R(D)SVS and with
increasing competition for such students with other AVMA accredited colleges, there
is a need to have a more strategic approach to student recruitment. In addition, the
wide disparity in academic standards across the vast USA university and college
network means the R(D)SVS needs to have a more clear understanding of academic
standards and try to better control the quality of students that apply to study at
Edinburgh. As a first step a scheme is in development that will target students of good
academic ability while in the early years of their BS programme. Furthermore, the
scheme will tie in with major land grant universities in the USA with strong Animal
Science programmes, and where the students are being exposed to a significant
amount of animal handling and dairy and livestock production systems. Through the
scheme students can elect to apply to R(D)SVS on entering their Junior (3rd) year. On
maintaining satisfactory grades the student is guaranteed their place and thorough
examination of their BS programme by R(D)SVS can be allowed credit on the
BVM&S course (mechanism still to be decided). In addition plans will be made to
begin to integrate them into Edinburgh student life while still at their own university,
most likely through already in place study-abroad schemes.
The University has a stated policy of greater engagement in North America and in
particular with USA and Canadian universities. This scheme fits in with the
University’s strategic aims in North America.
Progress to date:
1. Discussions have been undertaken with the following state universities;
Rutgers (NJ), Connecticut; New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
Vermont and Maine. This is targeting those states that do not have their own
veterinary school which means their students have to apply out-of-state (Tufts
is a private university in Massachusetts and reserves 50 places for
Massachusetts residents).
2. Advertising material explaining the scheme have been produced and tailored
to each university (See University of Vermont below).
3. Official MOU documents are being prepared by College administration.
4. A curriculum sub-group has been formed to look at aspects of each US
university’s course that can be accredited to the R(D)SVS course. This will
likely be restricted to animal handling experience related to pre-entry
requirement and EMS requirements, but might also include taught elements of
the BVM&S course.
Brendan Corcoran
17th November 2010
Paper 9
Guaranteed Placement Scheme for University of Vermont Animal Science Major Graduates at
the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the University of Edinburgh
Introduction:
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies (R(D)SVS) at the University Edinburgh has an
agreement with The University of Vermont (UVT) for 3 animal science students to obtain guaranteed
accepted places onto their 4 year veterinary degree programme. This scheme is designed for those
students intending to apply to veterinary school, but who have also decided they want to experience
studying abroad.
The R(D)SVS, also known as the “Dick Vet” after its founder, William Dick, is one of only three
veterinary schools in the UK that is fully AVMA accredited and attracts a large number of top quality
animal science graduates from the USA and Canada. The R(D)SVS is part of the College of Medicine
and Veterinary Medicine within the world ranked University of Edinburgh. The Dick Vet is located on
a beautiful rural campus seven miles from the city centre and has state-of-the-art teaching and clinical
facilities. It also includes the world famous Roslin Institute which focuses on research on health and
welfare of animals, and applications of basic animal sciences in human and veterinary medicine, the
livestock industry and food security.. The City of Edinburgh itself is regarded as one of the worlds
leading city destinations and is regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK and Europe.
The cost of studying and living in Edinburgh is roughly comparable to US veterinary schools, and in
many instances can be cheaper, and Edinburgh is easily reached from major airports on the Eastern
seaboard.
The Programme:
Edinburgh offers both a 4 and 5 year programme both leading to the BVM&S degree (equivalent to the
DVM). The 4 year programme (also known as Graduate Entry Programme) is designed for students
with a strong animal science background and, and it is entry to this programme that the Guaranteed
Placement Scheme applies. An increasing number of our students sit the NAVLE examination in
November or May of their final clinical year and in academic year 09-10 we had a 100% success rate.
We also offer highly motivated and capable students the opportunity to undertake an intercalated and/or
integrated MSc (1yr), PhD (3 yr) or MBA (1yr).
The Process of Applying:
Interested students should consult early in their BS degree programme with their pre-vet advisor about
this possible option for veterinary training. Application for consideration can be made at the beginning
of Junior year and acceptance will be dependent on good academic performance and evidence of
commitment to a veterinary career. The student will be required to maintain their academic grades as
they complete their BS degree programme at UVT. The admissions team at the R(D)SVS will give full
advice on any additional courses or extra-curricular experience that might be required prior to
beginning studies at Edinburgh. Arrangements can be made for students to spend some time in
Edinburgh prior to starting the vet programme and can include clinical placements in our hospitals or
short research projects. Accepted students will be assigned an academic mentor in both universities and
if possible a Dick Vet student that studied animal science at UVT. Some courses taken at UVT, such as
CREAM and EQUUS may be used as accredited prior learning to the Dick Vet programme.
Full information on studying at the R(D)SVS and living in Edinburgh can be found on the website at
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/vet.