Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

SRUC launches new rural animal health course
Students on the Rural Animal Health course will perform permitted procedures and provide advice on multiple farm and rural animal species.
The HND in Rural Animal Health is the first of its kind in the UK.

As it works towards growing Scotland’s first tertiary model of veterinary teaching and learning, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has announced an array of new courses, including a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Rural Animal Health.

Designed to support veterinary teams working in rural animal practice, the Rural Animal Health course is the first of its kind in the UK and comes amid growing demand for veterinary technicians to support rural veterinary teams. 

Other courses to be offered by the College in September include the BSc (Hons) course focusing on Animal Welfare Science and the first BSc (Hons) Equine Science and Management course in Scotland. A postgraduate Master of Research (MRes) in Zoonoses and Epidemiology will also be delivered from Inverness, mainly via distance learning.

Students on the Rural Animal Health course, taught at SRUC's Craibstone campus, will work both within a team and independently, performing permitted procedures and providing advice on multiple farm and rural animal species. 

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

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

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

SRUC academic director, Jamie Newbold, 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.” 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.