Preston’s university welcomes first ever veterinary students

The students at UCLan will be the first cohort at the county’s newest vet school Pic: UCLan

The first ever cohort of veterinary students at the University of Central Lancashire have begun their studies.

Preston’s university is in the process of building a new vet school and 78 students have started their course this September.

Molly Martin is among those who have signed up for the new course. The 22-year-old, from Manchester, said: “I’m very excited to be one of UCLan’s first vet students. I’ve always wanted to be a vet but didn’t get a place when I was looking at going to university at 18. I went and did an undergraduate course down south but wanted to move back up north and follow my dream so when I heard UCLan was starting a vet school I thought it would be ideal.”

The state-of-the-art nature of the Vet School was a huge draw for 22-year-old Peter Parrish, from Grimsby. He said: “I have always preferred animals to humans and loved my time as a volunteer at an animal shelter. When I saw UCLan was starting a vet, I couldn’t wait to apply as I knew it would be hands on and involve the very latest in vet technology.”

Dr Heather Bacon OBE, Dean of UCLan’s School of Veterinary Medicine, said: “It’s a landmark day for the University as we’ve welcomed our first cohort of veterinary medicine students through the door.

“So much hard work has been done to get us to this point and I’m very proud of our amazing Vet School team for making it happen, as well as grateful for the support of the wider University – it’s been a real team effort with support from so many amazing people, and I’m confident that our students will have a fantastic experience here.

“The demand for places on the first year of our BVMS course was huge and I’m thrilled we’ve been able to enrol so many enthusiastic student vets on to our programme.”

The course also sees students work closely with Myerscough College and undertake placements at nearby vet practices.

UCLan’s new vet school is due to open on the city campus in Spring 2025.