What we do

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical practice.

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a centre for collaboration in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost fourteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.

Teaching

We represent one of the largest concentrations of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge.

We provide veterinary education at both undergraduate and postgraduate level using innovative teaching methods and an interdisciplinary environment. 

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S) graduates are entitled to practise as veterinarians as soon as they have completed their studies and registered as members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Reciprocal arrangements between the RCVS and the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) allow BVM&S graduates to register to practise in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa without requiring further qualifications.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recognises the BVM&S degree as equivalent to those awarded by veterinary colleges in the United States, and our graduates are eligible to register to practise in the USA and Canada, following a successful pass in the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE).

Find out more about our accreditation. 

Research

Our research spans all aspects of veterinary medicine, animal biosciences, and agriculture and food security. 

In a joint submission to the latest UK Research Excellence Framework exercise, research at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been ranked number one in the UK for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences by combining Times Higher Education’s ratings for each institution. The judgement, based on the quality and breadth of research, maintains the School and SRUC’s position as the strongest provider in these subject areas. The institutions’ research environment was classified to be 100 per cent world-leading or internationally excellent for agriculture, food and veterinary sciences research. The School and SRUC submission was also assessed as being 100 per cent world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of the impact its research work has on wider society.

The REF is an assessment of the quality of the research being undertaken at UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the impact it has in society.

Clinical

Our clinical services - small animal, equine, farm animal and pathology - are among the most influential centres for clinical care in the UK, providing our students and researchers with the best possible training environment.

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