Cal Poly Partnership

A partnership between California Polytechnic State University and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

In partnership with California Polytechnic State University, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies offers students who successfully complete three years of study on the Cal Poly BS Animal Science programme the opportunity to enter onto the accelerated 4 year BVM&S Programme. This agreement allows students to graduate with an internationally accredited veterinary degree in a combined total of 7 years and receive a qualification from both Cal Poly (BS) and the University of Edinburgh (BVM&S).

Read the Partnership Guides

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must be:

  • in at least your second year of study on the BS Animal Science degree at Cal Poly;
  • achieving good grades;
  • on track to obtain an overall GPA of 3.4 or above (on a 4-point scale) at the end of your third year.

We also look for evidence of relevant animal handling experience.

Work Experience

We do not request specific types of work experience or state days/weeks required, as it depends to some extent on the opportunities available to you. The broader your experience the better, but you should not gain experience to the detriment of your academic studies. You should, however, gain both veterinary practice and animal work experience.

Finances

Tuition Fees

All candidates for the 4-year programme are considered on a full-fees basis.

The tuition fee for 2025 entry is £39,700 per year.

The annual tuition fee for the BVM&S degree is fixed for the full duration of the course.

R(D)SVS International Scholarships

The School offers two scholarships for overseas students beginning their studies on the BVM&S. Each scholarship is worth £5,000 per year and is tenable for the duration of their degree programme, subject to satisfactory progress.

Living Costs

In addition to fixed living costs for rent and the like, you will also need to consider initial, annual and miscellaneous costs (deposits, bedding, textbooks, insurance, travel, etc).

The most up-to-date information on estimated living costs is available on the University website:

Extra-Mural Studies

All UK veterinary programmes include Extra-Mural Studies - this is mandated by UK law and overseen by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

The aim of EMS is to enable students to gain practical experience in as many aspects of veterinary work as possible, including the handling of animals and the achievement of proficiency in routine techniques.

Within the framework specified by the RCVS, students choose their own placements to best align with their unique learning needs and interests. Here at Edinburgh, we have a dedicated team which supports students throughout the EMS process.

EMS is completed during holiday (vacation) periods and is generally unpaid. Edinburgh students complete a wide range of diverse and interesting placements, building on the skills they have been taught at university and developing into world-class graduates.

There is a requirement for students to complete 10 weeks of Animal Husbandry EMS (AHEMS) during the Foundation Phase of the programme (Year 1 of the four-year programme).

Then, during the Clinical Phase (Years 2, 3 and 4 of the four-year programme), a further 20 weeks of Clinical EMS (CEMS) must be completed.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

Applications are now closed. Applications for the next cycle will open in September.

Your partnership application is made up of 3 elements - Application Form, Additional Documents, and Work Experience Summary Form.

Step 1 - Submit an Application Form

Complete and submit an online application form.

Step 2 - Submit Additional Documents

After submission of an application form, please send the additional documents listed below to vetug@ed.ac.uk (BVM&S Admissions Team):

Transcript

An up-to-date academic transcript from your home institution.

Letter of Recommendation

An academic reference from your home institution (can be submitted directly to vetug@ed.ac.uk by the referee if preferred).

Resume/CV

A summary of your educational background, including any English Language tests achieved to date (if applicable).

Personal Statement

A personal statement of up to 500 words.

Step 3 - Submit a Work Experience Summary Form

Please also complete an online Work Experience Summary (WES) form detailing veterinary/animal-related work experience (paid and unpaid).

Please disregard any mentions of a 22 October deadline - this is only for candidates applying via UCAS.

Once you click the "Submit WES Form" button at the bottom of the page, this sends us your form automatically - you do not need to send us a copy by email.

Please ignore any instructions to upload your WES to a EUCLID account – this is only for candidates that apply via UCAS.

Candidate Interviews

All selected applicants will be required to attend a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).

The aim of our interviews is to measure aptitude as part of a holistic assessment of candidates.

Interviews in North America normally take place in early February, in San Francisco and New York.

What Happens Next?

Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer of a place by the end of March.

If you are offered a place, you must successfully pass the first years of your degree at the required standard and meet our English language requirements. You are required to pass all of the science modules which make up the first years of your programme.

Students on this pathway will transfer credits from Year 1 of the BVM&S programme to their Cal Poly BS Animal Science, which will satisfy final year credit and allow them to graduate from their BS. 

In addition to the accelerated partnership route (for entry after 3 years of study), we are pleased to facilitate direct applications to the 4 year BVM&S Programme from students in their final year of study at Cal Poly​​​​ (for entry post-graduation).

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for graduate entry, you must be:

  • in your final year of study on the BS Animal Science degree at Cal Poly;
  • achieving good grades in our pre-requisites:
    • Biology/Zoology
    • Physics
    • Biochemistry
    • Organic Chemistry
    • Inorganic Chemistry
    • Mathematics/Statistics
  • on track to graduate with an overall GPA of 3.4 or above (on a 4 point scale). 

We also look for evidence of relevant animal handling experience.

Application Process

You are invited to apply via the How to Apply section above. The process mirrors that of the accelerated partnership route, with the same required documents and deadlines.

Questions?

If you have any questions about applying for entry as a graduate, please get in touch with a University of Edinburgh representative via the contact details at the bottom of the page.


Your Cal Poly Advisor

If you have any questions related to Cal Poly requirements, please contact:

Dr Kim Sprayberry | kspraybe@calpoly.edu 

Garry Tainsh

Senior International Partnerships Officer

  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Contact details

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