Book 4: Welcoming you to R(D)SVS

If you are joining the Graduate Entry Programme in August, you can find the Welcome Week Timetable for this year linked below. 

If you are joining the 5-Year Programme in September, your timetable will be uploaded here in August (we will also include it in the next Pre-Arrival email). Students starting the 5-Year Programmeshould expect to be at Vet School events on Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th, and Wednesday 10th September. 

Don't worry too much about getting to campus for your first few days, coaches have been arranged from the central area. The pick-up location can be found on your Welcome Week Timetable.

Vet School is based on the Easter Bush Campus which is about 45 minutes bus ride from the Central Campus. Bus numbers  15, 37 (Easter Bush), 47B and 141 all stop at the Vet School bus stop.

For information about how to get to the Easter Bush Campus, please visit the Lothian Bus website here: Lothian Buses 

If you are aged under 22, you can apply for a Young Scot card once you arrive in Edinburgh. Bus travel in Scotland is free if you have a Young Scot card. If you are not eligible for free bus travel, the Vet School also offers a bus subsidy which reflects the total days travelled to campus for each year group; there will be more information on this once you arrive.

Free parking permits are available for Easter Bush; you can make an application for a permit once you’ve arrived. Without a permit you may still get a parking ticket. Please note that the travel subsidy is not available for private motor vehicle users.

The Student Immigration Service is a vital service for all of our international students arriving in Edinburgh. Please get in touch with them for any questions about your visa, BRP, or working during your studies: Student Immigration Service

Online Registration is the first step of the matriculation process - you will need to complete the online part of your annual registration before you arrive. Guidance for the online part of registration is linked below. 

Matriculation and attendance confirmation will then be completed during your first few days in your "Registration onto the BVM&S Programme" slot during Welcome Week. You will receive your student card at this stage too, if it has not been delivered to your Student Accomodation. Your student card also doubles up as a security pass if you require access into buildings after normal working hours.

Action: Remember to bring photo ID on your first day on campus

Clothing

You don't need to buy everything all at once so please refer to guidance in Booklet 2 with regards to protective clothing, before making any plans. 

Graduate-Entry Students:  You can buy direct from Hewats.  Please see the Protective Clothing List and link to Hewats on the webpage linked below.  

5 Year Programme: Our student-led Final Year Club (FYC) are planning to provide an order service for new students. The FYC representatives will be in touch with you soon about this, but you can also buy direct from Hewats.

If you do order clothing via the FYC this is normally available to collect during Welcome Week, and arrangements for collection will be communicated to you. If you have any queries regarding FYC or your order please direct these to the contact on the order form.

Protective Clothing List (from E-Booklet 2)

Course Notes

Course notes are always made available online.  If you would like printed notes these will be provided on request if paid for through the VTO Shop, which you can find using the link below. 

Locker Key

As bags and coats are not permitted in the laboratories, we recommend students use our lockers. If you wish to use a locker to store your items on campus for the duration of your studies, you need to purchase a key through the VTO Shop (button below).  Select “Locker Key Deposit” and pay £3.00 for a key – please note that the deposit is non-refundable. Once paid, you can collect the key on your first day on campus, along with your student card and badge. 

Please see the information below about the EMS requirements for your programme.

You will receive full information and support from our dedicated EMS team once you start your programme, so please do not worry about planning placements until you have started the course.

The Vet School hosts a variety of events to make your time here memorable. Here's a preview of some of the event you can look forward to:

Campus Sports Day: A fun-filled day of friendly competition, prizes, food and drinks.

Pre-Burns Supper: An evening celebration leading up to the traditional Burns Night.

Wellbeing Week: Hosted by VetPALS in May, Wellbeing Week is a fantastic opportunity to engage in activities to promote your health and wellbeing.

Additionally, the Dick Vet Student Union (DVSU), Student Societies, and Final Year Clubs (FYCs), organise lots of events throughout the year, ensuring there's something for everyone. Don't miss out on the Dick Vet Societies Fair, happening at lunchtime on Tuesday, 9th September in the Vet School Building. This is your chance to explore various Dick Vet student societies and find out how you can get involved.

Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) supports all students throughout their time at the University of Edinburgh. September Welcome Week is packed with events for you to get involved in. We encourage you to enjoy yourself and make every effort to meet students from different backgrounds, cultures and courses. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn something new and make lasting connections.

If you are a GEP student, Welcome Week coincides with your revision week before your first exams. However, if you can, try to participate in some of the events.

Visit the EUSA website for more details.