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Since 2013, we have partnered with the Sutton Trust to deliver a free, five-day residential summer school for fifty current Year 12 (England/Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland) pupils from under-represented backgrounds.
Our Sutton Trust Summer School is one of our most immersive residential programmes. Students live on our Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire, with meals and equipment provided, and take part in animal handling placements across several of our facilities — valuable experiences that can contribute towards work experience requirements, whether or not students have had previous contact with animals.
Our programme is designed to give an authentic insight into life at the RVC, with time spent at both our Camden Campus in London and our Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire. The academic schedule includes lectures on a wide range of veterinary topics, completing a research project, working in groups, developing practical clinical skills, and tackling a real-life veterinary case.
Alongside academic learning, students join a welcoming and inclusive community of peers from similar backgrounds, all sharing ambitions to study Veterinary Medicine.
Each student is paired with one of our Student Ambassador mentors, who support their academic and professional development throughout the week. In addition, our staff deliver dedicated sessions on the application process to empower students to achieve their potential and apply to the RVC with confidence.
The experience also extends beyond the classroom. A varied social programme helps students connect, build friendships, and develop wider skills and attributes. In previous years, this has included sporting events, cooking together, and quiz nights, creating an environment that balances academic challenge with community and fun.