In 2023, a significant milestone was achieved in Scotland’s rural education and veterinary sectors with the opening of the SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine.
Located at SRUC’s Craibstone campus in Aberdeen, this school is not only the third veterinary school in Scotland, but also the first new school to open in over 150 years.
As Scotland grapples with a critical shortage of veterinarians, the establishment of this school marks a crucial step towards ensuring that future generations of veterinarians are equipped to meet the needs of the country’s growing rural and agricultural industries.
A timely response to a growing need
The establishment of the SRUC School of Veterinary Medicine was born from a growing concern about the future of veterinary care in Scotland’s rural communities. With a declining number of practitioners, especially in agricultural and mixed animal practices, there was a clear need for more targeted education to address these gaps.
The veterinary profession in the UK is currently facing a significant crisis. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) reported that the UK is experiencing a shortage of more than 3000 veterinary surgeons, with rural practices particularly affected.
The shortage is even more acute in rural and agricultural regions, where the demand for veterinarians to care for livestock, equines, and other rural animals far exceeds supply. The situation has become so dire that some farmers are reporting difficulty in accessing veterinary care in a timely manner, which can negatively impact animal health and welfare.
Professor Caroline Argo, the dean of veterinary medicine, described the process as ‘a voyage’, emphasising the work put in by their team to establish the program.
“If we really are supporting Scotland’s natural economy, then we needed to do something about the veterinary situation,” she explained. The response to the veterinary shortage is grounded in the unique needs of Scotland’s rural and agricultural sectors, and SRUC’s vision is to create a sustainable, resilient workforce capable of meeting these challenges.
A distributed model
Unlike traditional veterinary schools that are often confined to a single campus, SRUC has adopted a distributed model. The school is not just based at the Craibstone campus but integrates resources and expertise from across SRUC’s national network.
This approach helps to create a veterinary school that is both localised and expansive, bridging different geographies and tapping into the collective expertise of SRUC’s other campuses.
The distributed nature of the school allows for a ‘holistic’ approach to veterinary education, connecting students with a range of rural practices, research initiatives, and animal science programs across Scotland. This ‘cross-SRUC’ model, as Professor Argo put it, allows the veterinary school to harness the power of SRUC’s broader academic resources, creating one of the largest veterinary education programs in the UK.
A new approach to admissions
One of the most innovative aspects of SRUC’s veterinary school is its approach to admissions. The school has placed a significant emphasis on recruiting students from rural and agricultural backgrounds, where veterinary shortages are felt most acutely.
“We try to do things differently,” said Professor Argo. The school incorporates the Scottish Government’s rurality index into its admissions process, focusing on students from remote and rural areas.
This strategy is informed by successful international models, such as those in Canada and Australia, where recruiting students from rural areas has led to higher rates of retention in local veterinary practices. The goal is to train veterinarians who are committed to returning to their communities after graduation, making a long-term impact on rural practices.
Another challenge that SRUC’s veterinary school seeks to address is the traditional barrier to entry for students from rural areas who may not have the same academic qualifications as their urban counterparts.
Historically, veterinary schools have required advanced science qualifications, particularly in subjects like chemistry, which can be a hurdle for many rural students who may not have had access to these subjects in their local schools.
SRUC’s solution is a more inclusive admissions policy that recognises the value of different types of scientific experience.
“We still require science qualifications, but we don’t specify which sciences,” said Professor Argo. “We cover the chemistry and biochemistry that students might need early in their training to get them up to speed.”
This flexible approach ensures that capable students from rural and farming backgrounds are not excluded from the program due to technical academic barriers.
Emphasising rural mixed practice
At the heart of SRUC’s veterinary program is a focus on rural mixed practice, which includes both farm and small animal care. This is a departure from traditional veterinary schools, which often focus on urban or specialist practices.
Professor Argo stresses that the goal is to train ‘mixed practitioners’, who can provide comprehensive care for animals in rural settings, much like the iconic James Herriot figure - a veterinarian who becomes an integral part of a rural community.
“This is a real challenge, but also a goal,” said Professor Argo. The school’s aim is to recruit students who are not just interested in becoming vets but who want to return to rural communities and become pillars of these communities.
Interprofessional approach
SRUC’s curriculum is designed to provide a broad, all-around veterinary education. Unlike many traditional schools that focus heavily on specialist training in urban settings, SRUC ensures that students are grounded in general practice from the outset.
“We don’t want to over-specialise,” said Professor Argo. “We aim to train well-rounded veterinarians who can work across species and situations, not just in highly specialised fields.”
This approach is especially important in rural veterinary practice, where veterinarians often work with farmers, equine owners, and other professionals on a daily basis.
Supporting students
In its final year, SRUC’s veterinary program will follow a fully distributed model, placing students in real-world practices across the country. This ensures that students gain hands-on experience in varied settings and are well-prepared for professional life.
“We want to avoid the shock that some students experience when they graduate from high-end referral hospitals and enter general practice,” said Professor Hastie. By embedding students in real-world practices from the start, SRUC aims to ease the transition from education to employment, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the demands of rural veterinary work.
The school also provides ongoing support during placements. “We check in regularly with our practice partners to make sure that everything is running smoothly,” he added. “Our staff visit practices to assess students and ensure that the training provided is of the highest quality.”
Addressing mental health and retention
The veterinary profession is often associated with high levels of stress and burnout, which can lead to early exits from the profession. SRUC’s veterinary school recognises the importance of supporting students’ mental health and building resilience. The program is designed not only to prepare students for the technical aspects of the profession but also to help them develop the emotional and psychological tools they need to navigate the challenges of rural practice.
“We want to set realistic expectations and help students build resilience,” said Professor Argo. “Veterinary medicine is not an easy occupation, but it’s one of the most rewarding jobs in the world.”
Professor Hastie also highlighted the importance of mental health support: “Veterinary students can face significant pressures, and it’s crucial that we create an environment that supports their well-being, both during their studies and as they move into practice. We want to help them thrive professionally and personally.”
A brighter future
As SRUC’s veterinary school continues to grow, it will remain committed to adapting its curriculum and approach to meet the needs of the veterinary sector. The school’s focus on rural veterinary care and mixed practices places it in a unique position to help address the shortage of veterinarians in these areas.
The UK is projected to face an increasing shortfall of veterinarians in the coming years, with an aging workforce and fewer students entering the profession. By 2030, it’s estimated that an additional 2000 veterinary surgeons will be needed to meet the demand for veterinary care across the country.
SRUC’s commitment to training students in rural and mixed practices will be instrumental in ensuring that Scotland’s veterinary workforce is resilient and prepared for the challenges ahead.
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