Four new animal health and welfare courses are being offered at SRUC – which is gearing up for a range of open days for potential students in the next few weeks.

An HND in Rural Animal Health is one of several new courses being introduced by SRUC as it moves towards growing the country’s first tertiary model of veterinary teaching and learning. This course will be the first of its kind in the UK and capitalises on the growing demand for veterinary technicians to support veterinary teams working in rural animal practice.

As part of SRUC’s journey towards achieving degree awarding powers, the first UK BSc (Hons) course focusing specifically on Animal Welfare Science and the first BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Management course in Scotland will also be offered from September.

Finally, at the postgraduate end of the tertiary education spectrum, a Master of Research (MRes) in Zoonoses and Epidemiology will be delivered largely by distance learning from Inverness.

The Rural Animal Health course, which will be taught at SRUC’s Craibstone campus in Aberdeen, will allow students to work both within a team and independently, performing permitted procedures and providing advice on multiple species of farm and rural animals.

The Animal Welfare Science course, at SRUC’s Edinburgh campus, is the only degree programme of its kind in the UK and draws on the expertise of one of the largest Animal Welfare research teams in the world.

The Equine Science and Management course, the first degree to be offered at SRUC’s Oatridge campus in West Lothian and the first of its kind in Scotland, will equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to make an effective contribution to the equine industry.

The one-year Zoonoses and Epidemiology course, which can also be studied part time, focuses on developing research skills in the epidemiology of animal diseases and the transmission of zoonoses.

Jamie Newbold, Academic Director at SRUC, said: ‘These new courses add to SRUC’s strength and depth of provision in animal welfare and veterinary science as we move towards becoming an enterprise university at the heart of our sustainable natural economy.”

The SRUC's forthcoming open days:

Aberdeen Campus open day

Attend the Aberdeen campus open day to find out about its HN and degree courses. Prospective students can meet with lecturers, tour the facilities and ask as many questions as you like.

Information sessions available (you will be divided into groups on arrival): Animal Care, Veterinary Nursing, Rural Animal Health, Agriculture, Environment and Conservation, Rural Business Management, Equine Studies.

Date: August 10, 2022

Time: 1-3:30pm

Campus: Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen

Edinburgh Campus open day

Go to the Edinburgh Campus to find out about its HN and degree courses. You can meet with specialist lecturers, tour the facilities and have all your questions answered.

Information sessions available (you'll be divided into groups on arrival): Animal Science/Animal Welfare Science, Environment and Conservation, Rural Business Management, Garden Design, Horticulture, and Horticulture with Plantsmanship.

There will be a separate and virtual Agriculture Open Day planned on the same day. Visit the Course Catalogue for more information on the courses.

Date: August 10, 2022

Time: 2-4pm

Campus: King's Buildings, Edinburgh

Barony Campus open day

Join this for an informal on-campus event and find out about the education and training opportunities available at the Barony campus. Meet with our specialist lecturers, tour the facilities and have all questions answered.

Information sessions available (divided into groups on arrival): Agriculture, Agricultural Technology, Countryside Management, Wildlife and Conservation, Rural Skills, Rural Business Management, Animal Care, Applied Animal Science, Forestry, Horse Care, Veterinary Nursing and Animal Nursing Assistant. Dates for Engineering will be posted at a later date.

Date: August 10, 2022

Time: 10am-12:30pm

Campus: Barony, Dumfries

Elmwood Campus open day

Join us for an informal afternoon and find out about the education and training opportunities available at our Elmwood campus. Meet with our specialist lecturers, tour the facilities and have all your questions answered.

There will also be the opportunity to speak with the student support team who can help with everything from funding to study support. Tours of the residence will also be available.

Information sessions available: Animal Care, Greenkeeping and Golf Management, Wildlife and Conservation, Gamekeeping, Horticulture, Professional Golf, and Land-based and Rural skills.

Date: August 17, 2022

Time: 6-8pm

Campus: Elmwood, Fife

Oatridge Campus open day

(all subjects except Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing)

Attend the SRUC Oatridge Campus to learn more about our course offerings at NC, HNC/D and degree level. Meet with our specialist lecturers, tour the facilities and have all your questions answered. You will also have the opportunity to talk with our Student Support Team.

Date: August 23, 2022

Time: 1-4pm

Campus: Oatridge, West Lothian