Is a young member of your family thinking about becoming a vet?

If so, they may like to apply to the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) 2021 Summer Schools.

It's open to students in Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12.

The outreach team is calling for those who meet the widening participation eligibility criteria to apply for the opportunity of gaining experience of what it is like to study animal science careers including veterinary medicine, biosciences and veterinary nursing.

Taking place between July and August 2021, the three RVC Summer Schools offer students first-hand insight into what it is like to study at the RVC.

As part of this, participants will get involved with online lectures, virtual practical demonstrations, and question and answer sessions with world-leading researchers.

This year, the RVC also hopes to be able to welcome each of the participants to campus for at least one day to gain hands-on experiences across its animal hospitals, clinical skills centre, laboratories, and farm.

Following the success of last year’s summer school, which was the first to be hosted online due to the pandemic, 91 per cent of participants surveyed either agreed or strongly agreed that the summer school made them feel more confident about applying to university.

Additionally, 91 per cent of respondents felt like they would fit in at the RVC after taking part.

Varying from two to five days experience, students were able to meet current RVC students and professionals, take part in online lectures, virtual dissection demonstrations, team projects and social activities led by RVC student ambassadors including a pet show and tell, an escape room and lockdown Zoom quizzes.

Reflecting on the 2020 summer school, one student, Kaya, said: “I found the lectures and videos fascinating and enjoyed learning about new topics such as animal handling. I also feel much more confident in my career goals, as before the summer school started, I was unsure if I wanted to be a vet or vet nurse, but now I have decided on veterinary nursing.”

The widening participation scheme which was established to support young people who are under-represented at the RVC on their journey to studying animal science. The RVC runs a range of programmes for young people from low-income backgrounds, areas with low participation in higher education, and targeted groups such as care experienced young people, asylum seekers, or young people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Nina Davies, director of RVC access and international engagement, said: “I would like to encourage any young budding animal enthusiasts and prospective vets out there, to take part in one of our Summer Schools this year; it is a wonderful experience for young people seriously considering a future in animal sciences.”

Applications close on the March 2, 2021. To apply or to find out more information, visit: rvc.uk.com/SummerSchools or contact the outreach team on outreach@rvc.ac.uk.