University of Hong Kong Partnership

A partnership between the University of Hong Kong and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

In partnership with the University of Hong Kong, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies offers BBiomedSc students from HKU the opportunity to undertake a year of study at the Dick Vet following the second year of their degree. Students can subsequently elect to return to Edinburgh after completing their HKU degree and enrol for the remaining three years of the veterinary degree to gain a BVM&S.

This innovative collaboration and structure allows HKU students to obtain a BBiomedSc degree and BVM&S in a combined total of just seven years compared to the eight years this would take studying separately in the two institutions.

Partnership Guides

BVM&S 2025 Entry Guide (Partnerships) (2.95 MB / PDF)

HKU Partnership Guide (1.75 MB / PDF)

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVM&S)

Video - Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply you must be in the second year of your BSc Biomedical Sciences degree at HKU, achieving good grades and be on track to obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or above by the end of the second 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.

R(D)SVS International Scholarships

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:

Student Living Costs

How to Apply

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.

Application Documents

The following documents are required as part of your application:

Application Form (available from your HKU advisor)
Personal Statement (up to 500 words)
Resume/CV
Work Experience Summary
Official Transcript
Academic Reference

Deadline

All elements of your application should be submitted to your HKU advisor by the October 2025 deadline (exact date to be confirmed).

HKU-endorsed applications will subsequently be transmitted to the University of Edinburgh for our consideration.

Candidates will be informed of the outcome of the initial stage of the selection process by mid-December.

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 Asia normally take place in January, in Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Candidate Interviews

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.