Initiative supports potential vet students from under-represented backgrounds. The Diversity Summer School programme offered by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has enjoyed another successful year.The aim of the initiative, which launched in 2022, is to highlight that veterinary medicine is a career that is open to anyone, and to break down the barriers that might prevent students from under-represented backgrounds from applying to study veterinary medicine.At the end of July, the University of Edinburgh welcomed 13 potential veterinary medicine students to its Easter Bush Campus.During the week-long residential Summer School, participants from across the UK were immersed in a programme of activities to let them experience life as a veterinary medicine student at Edinburgh.Student lifeThe group took part in practical and classroom-based activities in subjects including internal medicine, veterinary anatomy, clinical skills, veterinary pathology and animal welfare.They also spent time at the School’s Hospital for Small Animals, including the Rabbit and Exotic Animal Practice, as well as the Equine Hospital and Large Animal Hospital, to learn more about life as a veterinary surgeon.The group met lecturers, clinicians and current students and learnt more about the veterinary medicine programme and the career opportunities available after graduation.Exploring EdinburghA social programme was also arranged for the group, who ranged in age from 16 to 30, to learn more about the city of Edinburgh; its history, culture and green spaces.The group enjoyed a visit to Edinburgh Zoo and a trip to a micro chocolate factory. They also enjoyed a veterinary-themed escape room at Summerhall, a venue in the centre of Edinburgh which was the previous home of the vet school.Supporting diversityThe University of Edinburgh is committed to equality of opportunity for all its students and staff and promotes a culture of inclusivity. We recognise that not everyone has equal opportunities to access higher education and wish to remove any social, financial, cultural or geographic barriers that may prevent students from studying veterinary medicine with us.The programme is fully funded with travel costs paid and catered University accommodation provided for all attendees.Here at the Dick Vet, we believe that diversity is about empowering people and respecting what makes them different, whether this be their ethnicity, social-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental health or religion.Dr Gurå BergkvistDirector of Admissions and Recruitment, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesHaving diversity and including everyone encourages them and inspires them to believe that a career in vet medicine is open to them. It’s like, ‘you’re like me, and you’re showing me that I can do that as well.Diversity Summer School participant Applications for the 2024 Diversity Summer School will open in April 2024. Related LinksDiversity in Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medicine Diversity Summer School 2023 About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary StudiesThe Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence 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 800 staff and almost 1400 students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.The School comprises:The Roslin InstituteThe Global Academy of Agriculture and Food SystemsThe Roslin Innovation CentreThe Hospital for Small AnimalsEquine Veterinary ServicesFarm Animal ServicesEaster Bush PathologyThe Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare EducationWe represent the largest concentration 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. Publication date 03 Aug, 2023
