Diversity Summer School

The University of Edinburgh is committed to providing equal opportunities for all its students, fostering a culture of inclusivity. However, we acknowledge that not all students have the same access to higher education.

In line with this commitment, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is delighted to offer a fully funded week-long residential Summer School tailored for eligible students interested in exploring the field of Veterinary Medicine.

The Veterinary Medicine Diversity Summer School is designed for individuals who meet one or more Widening Participation criteria and identify as belonging to an ethnic or religious minority group or residing in an area of low socio-economic status.

Programme Overview

Academic content

During the Summer School, students will explore various topics relating to the field of Veterinary Medicine through practical and classroom-based activities. This can include the following areas:

• Small Animal Practice, Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging
• Veterinary clinical skills
• Exotic Animal Practice
• Farm Animal Hospital and/or a visit to Langhill Dairy Farm
• Equine Hospital, equine first aid and large animal clinical skills
• Introduction to Pathology 
• Veterinary Public Health
• Animal science and research

Social activities

Edinburgh is renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and lush green spaces, all complemented by a warm and welcoming community. We aim for students to immerse themselves fully in the Edinburgh experience. Therefore, on selected evenings, students will have free time to explore the local area at their leisure. Additionally, we will organise social activities on certain evenings, providing students with the opportunity to build friendships with their peers and gain insight into the city from a local perspective.

Location

Academic elements of the Summer School programme take place at the Easter Bush Campus, home of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Participants are accommodated in University catered accommodation situated at Pollock Halls, near the city centre. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided throughout the programme.

Each student is allocated a private bedroom, with access to shared bathroom facilities. Additionally, a dedicated Resident Assistant is on-site to oversee and assist the students.

Travel

Travel arrangements to and from Edinburgh are coordinated by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and facilitated by Diversity Travel, the University's authorised travel agency.

Coach transportation to and from the Easter Bush campus is arranged and is provided by a registered supplier of the University.

Eligibility and application process

All places on the programme are fully funded by the School.

To be considered, you must meet the following criteria:

• identify as belonging to a minority ethnic or religious group, or reside in an area of low socio-economic status

• reside in the UK
• be 16 years old or older
• attend a state school/college or be a mature student (aged 21 or older)
• be on track to meet our  

• fulfil one or more Widening Participation (WP) criteria outlined in the application form. In particular, we will look at: 

  • Your home postcode: we look at whether you live in a geographical area of the UK that is defined by government data as being an area of deprivation.
  • Your school or college: we look at the academic attainment and, in some cases, the percentage of students from your school or college who progress to higher education.
  • Whether you are care experienced.
  • Whether you are an estranged student.
  • Whether you are a refugee or an asylum seeker.
  • Whether you are eligible for support from Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools (LEAPS).

We work with the University's Widening Participation team to ensure places are assigned to pupils from a range of social, cultural and educational backgrounds. We use the information provided on the application form to do this, so please ensure you answer all of the questions as fully as possible. 

You must also submit two supporting documents: 

• Signed Parent or Guardian Consent Form
• Teacher or guidance counsellor reference

For information on how your data will be used, please refer to our Privacy Statement. 

Applications for the 2025 Veterinary Medicine Diversity Summer School will open in early Spring 2025, and will be available on this page.