Britain’s Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is hosting a series of career events across the country in order to encourage more young people to consider studying in a veterinary-related field. The recent outbreaks of foot and mouth and avian influenza in the UK highlight the increasing need for more vets and veterinary scientists to help control infectious animal diseases.

The RVC tour is an opportunity for people who are looking to pursue a veterinary-related career to find out what it involves. The tour also hopes to impress upon future students that a veterinary education can be used qualify them for a diverse range of professions.

The event will give prospective students the opportunity to speak to specialist staff about the full range of undergraduate programs available at the RVC, and discuss the course applications procedures and the college’s academic requirements.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in interactive demonstrations. RVC experts will set up clinical skills kits, which give prospective students the chance to try out some of the things that vets do on a daily basis, like bandaging and preparing for surgery.

“We held similar events around the country last year, and they proved extremely popular,” said Julia Hewett, Education Liaison Officer at the Royal Veterinary College. “The chance to talk to staff and current students from the Royal Veterinary College on an individual basis gave students a real idea about life in the veterinary world, and allowed them to find out everything they needed to know about the courses on offer and the RVC.”

For more information see www.rvc.ac.uk/Education/Index.cfm.