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Report shows significant increase in veterinary students
Growth in these subjects may be attributable to more non-UK students undertaking them.
Number of students grew 47 per cent over the past decade 

Veterinary science was the university subject with the most significant increase in students between 2007 and 2018, according to new figures.

The Patterns and Trends in UK Hgher Education Report 2018, published by Universities UK, shows there was a 47 per cent increase in students over the past decade. Biological sciences and mathematics had the second (40 per cent) and third (29 per cent) greatest increase respectively.

The report notes that growth in these subjects may be attributable to more non-UK students undertaking them. In 2016-17, business and administrative studies, engineering and technology and law (25.7 percent) had the highest numbers of students taking them.

Veterinary science was one of the subjects with the lowest proportions of black and minority ethnic students (4.9 per cent), the report shows. Gender profiles varied greatly in the report, but veterinary science had the second highest overall proportions of females (77.3 per cent).

Patterns and Trends in UK Higher Education 2018, can be downloaded at universitiesuk.ac.uk

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.