What Happens on the Programme?
The Pathways to Veterinary Medicine programme at Nottingham University runs over two years, starting when you are just heading into Sixth Form/College and finishing before your exams in year 13. There is a programme of online after-school and weekend skill workshops and information sessions, mentoring opportunities, networking events with leading professionals, and a summer residential at the University of Nottingham. There will also be support to help you in securing a work placement.
Insight Events
Insight Events
At insight events, you will get to hear from a panel of employers/a single employer about what it’s like to work in the field, what the different departments do, what the different jobs are, and what different companies look like. You’ll walk away with an in-depth knowledge of what kinds of jobs you are most interested in and what they will look like day-to-day.
Employability Skill Workshops
Employability Skill Workshops
Throughout the programme, you will take part in skills workshops with university staff and career professionals teaching you various employability skills specific to Veterinary Medicine, such as patient care and animal biology.
Work Experience
Work Experience
During the programme you’ll be given the tools and support to find and secure a work placement. Work placements provide you with the opportunity to get a flavour of the day-to-day activities, project and workloads that make up a career in veterinary medicine and gain the employability skills that will help you gain access to veterinary medicine when you graduate.
University Taster Sessions
University Taster Sessions
You will be able to tour your university, attend university Q&A sessions, make connections with university admissions staff and professors, and take part in exclusive tester lectures in your chosen subject.
Sutton Trust Online
Sutton Trust Online
Sutton Trust Online is our digital platform providing support to students on their journey to university or an apprenticeship. Alongside your core Pathways programme you will also have access to STO. Here you will be guided through all the information, skills and advice you need as you explore, apply, prepare and succeed at university or an apprenticeship.
Skills Workshops
Skills Workshops
There are certain ‘soft skills’ which will help you when you are looking for work and starting out in your career. There will be skills workshops for you to take part in, such as:
- Networking
- CV Writing
National Conference
National Conference
The residential conference is held at the University of Nottingham and gives you the chance to live and learn in a university environment. Staying overnight in student halls, you’ll take part in taster courses and use expert equipment, meet university students, academics and industry professionals from across the country and receive expert guidance on studying, Veterinary Medicine.
The conference will provide you with deep insights into the world of Veterinary Medicine. A few examples of the types of activities you could take part in are:
- A range of academic sessions
- Personals development workshops
- Social activities
- The final day will include a professional insight element where participants can meet and network with employers from the sector.
Who can apply?
To apply to Pathways to Veterinary Medicine, you must:
- Attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non fee-paying school/college
- Be in Year 12 (England and Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland) or S5 (Scotland) at the start of the programme.
In addition, we are looking for students who:
- Have achieved at least five GCSEs at grades 9 – 6 (A*-B), including English and Maths. A minimum of two of these qualifications should be at grades 9 – 7. Or have achieved 5 A or B grades at National 5 (with a minimum of 2 A grades) including grades A or B in Mathematics and English.
- Would be the first generation in their family to attend university
- Have been eligible for Free School Meals whilst at secondary school
- Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education or a high level of socio-economic deprivation
- Have attended schools with a lower than average progression to higher education, or a higher than average proportion of students who qualify for Free School Meals
- Have been looked after or in care
The more criteria you meet, the more likely you are to be offered a place on the programme.
How to Apply
Pathways to Veterinary Medicine are now open and will close 13th November 2023.
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