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Government lifts cap on veterinary science courses
"All students who achieved the required grades will be offered a place at their first choice university" - Michelle Donelan, universities minister.

Decision follows turnaround on A-Level results.

The Government has lifted the cap on university veterinary science courses after a turnaround on A-level results saw a higher number of students meeting the required grades.

Caps were also lifted on medicine, dentistry, and teaching courses after concerns were raised about the limited places for students whose results had increased.

In a press release, the Government said that extra funding would be provided to increase capacity in medical, nursing and STEM subjects. The decision comes after doctors and university vice-chancellors urged for the cap on student numbers in medical schools to be removed amid the results chaos.

On Monday (17 August), education secretary Gavin Williamson backtracked on the controversial algorithm that had been used to grade A-levels, announcing that all students in England would instead receive their predicted grades. Unfortunately, this decision came too late for students that had already selected their university course based on the initial grade.

The Government’s Higher Education Taskforce said on Wednesday (19 August) that if students have met the required grades, they will now be offered a place at their first choice university. If maximum capacity has been reached, however, then students may be required to defer their place to the following year. 

Universities minister Michelle Donelan said: ”This has been an incredibly difficult time for students and I want to reassure them that every effort is being made to make sure all those who planned to, can move on to higher education.

“I am delighted that the Government and the higher education sector have agreed that all students who achieved the required grades will be offered a place at their first choice university. I want universities to do all they can to take them on this year or offer alternative courses or deferred places where required.”

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.