British Veterinary Association and the Association of Veterinary Students

Transcription

1 British Veterinary Association and the Association of Veterinary Students Survey results 2012

2 Contents BVA/ AVS Survey 2012 Introduction... 5 Total number of responses... 6 Undergraduate student numbers 2011/ Section A Personal & 2 ascertained the University of each Respondent and form the Total number of respondents table ) What is your gender? ) Secondary education (up to 16)? ) Education establishment attended for A Levels/ Highers or equivalent? ) Did you do another degree before entering vet school? ) If, was this taken with the intent of a subsequent veterinary medicine degree? ) Which year of the veterinary medicine course did you enter? ) Are you a home or an overseas student? ) If you are an overseas student, which country are you from? ) Have you intercalated or do you intend to intercalate during the course? Section B Financial ) For funding purposes, which of the following applies to you? ) Who funds the majority of your tuition fees? ) Have you received any money at all in the form of grants? ) How much have you received per year in grants (to cover tuition fees and/ or maintenance? ) Have you borrowed money from the Student Loans Company for your tuition fees? ) What percentage of your tuition fees are covered by the LEA/ SAAS tuition fee loan? ) How much has the SLC (or equivalent) been prepared to loan you per year for tuition fees? ) Have you borrowed money from the Student Loans Company for your maintenance loan? ) How much have the SLC (or equivalent) been prepared to loan you per year for your maintenance loan? ) Do you require additional finance to that received via the SLC (or equivalent)? ) Do you receive any financial assistance from your parents? ) If you required additional finance, what has been your main source? ) Have you applied for a scholarship or similar award? ) If, what was the sum received (even if 0) in each case? ) Have you applied to the college hardship fund? ) If, what was the sum received (even if 0) in each case? ) As a percentage, please allocate the division of your expenditure to the following categories: ) What is your current total debt? ) If you are in debt, please allocate a percentage to the following categories: ) What do you expect your total debt to be upon graduation? ) How would you rate the difficulty caused by your current financial position? (1=none, 5 = severe)... 29

3 33) Are you able to supplement your income? ) If, how many hours per week can you work (express as an average over the year)? ) And per week, how much do you earn (express as an average over the year)? ) Were you aware what your debt was likely to be when you entered vet school? ) If, would knowledge of the debt have stopped you from applying to vet school? ) How would you rate the extent to which your debts will affect your choice of job when you graduate? (1=none, 5=large) ) Have you ever needed to seek any kind of debt advice? ) Would a BVA/ AVS financial management service be useful? ) If it were possible to be sponsored by an employer in your clinical years, but then be committed to them for a fixed period (e.g. for three years), would you consider this? Section C The undergraduate course ) What was the main reason you chose to study at your particular vet school? ) Overall, have most subjects been covered to your satisfaction? ) What subject areas, if any, are particularly well covered? ) What subject areas, if any, are not particularly well covered? ) Please rate the following (1=very poor, 5=excellent): ) Do you think that the undergraduate course: ) Do you think that you should be taught all areas of veterinary medicine during the undergraduate course? ) Are you happy with the EMS system and structure at your vet school? ) During EMS at veterinary practices is there sufficient.? ) Should veterinary practices be registered for EMS? ) Please rate the following considerations when choosing where to do your EMS: ) Please estimate the amount you spend per year attending compulsory EMS requirements: ) Have you ever declined to attend a UK based EMS placement solely because of the costs? ) In which area did/ do you envisage working? ) After graduation will you consider further study such as? Section D Welfare ) Please rate the severity you attach to the following possible welfare concerns of veterinary medicine students (1=none at all, 5=severe): ) Please record the incidence at which you have encountered any of the following mental health issues amongst you vet school peers (1=none at all, 5=very often): ) Have you ever suffered from any of the following? ) If, have you ever sought help for the issue(s) you faced? Section E Widening participation ) Do you think increased tuition fees will deter future applications to vet school by students from less affluent backgrounds? ) Do you think there are barriers other than academic merit to applying to vet school?... 50

4 63) If, what do you think they are? ) Do you think vet schools do enough to encourage applications from and to support students less affluent or disadvantaged backgrounds? ) What do you think universities could do to encourage applications from students with a diverse range of backgrounds? Section F AVS ) Do you ever attend any AVS organised events? ) If, which event(s) have you attended? ) If, what is the main reason you haven t attended?... 54

5 BVA/ AVS Survey 2012 Introduction British Veterinary Association (BVA) is the representative body for the UK veterinary profession. Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) is its student body, representing the UK veterinary student population on issues that concern them. This is the sixth time since 1996 that this survey has been conducted. The survey was took place during the final term of the 2012 academic year and was completed by 2,106 out of 4,578 students (a fantastic response rate of 46.0%). Such a high response rate is incredibly valuable, meaning that a confidence interval (margin of error) of just 2 can be applied with 99% certainty. As an example, this means that if one of our responses states that 45% of students, then the true range would be somewhere between 43% and 47%. There are six sections in the survey, three of which could be described as the most significant sections. These are; Personal Financial Undergraduate course There are also three much smaller sections looking at welfare, widening participation and the role of the AVS. Student population Although the veterinary student population remains female dominated, this is the first time that this survey has not reported a continued increase in the percentage of students who are female. In 2012 it had dropped to 76.9% female from the high of 78.8% in There has been previous speculation that the higher A level grades required to be a successful applicant have led to the gender imbalance, and in fact, Dr Penny Watson from Cambridge University wrote to Veterinary Record in 2011 on the subject. In that letter, Dr Watson confirmed that the balance of applications received by the university had been 75% female and 25% male and that they had subsequently made offers to a 70%/ 30% split so, in her experience, the universities were not to blame for the situation. A separate question is whether there are males out there who would wish to go to vet school but are self-selecting themselves out of the process because of what they understand the entry requirements to be. A further question for consideration, is how much of a problem is the imbalance? Is there evidence available that links a shorter time in the profession or a shortage of vets in particular areas of veterinary medicine with this change in the gender balance? Whilst the trend of studying at vet school being a predominantly female choice may have reached its peak, the other trend that has been most recently reported has been the growth in overseas students studying at UK vet schools shows no sign at all of slowing. In fact, 18.5% of this year s students are from overseas compared with 11.9% in 2008 and 8.3% in Across the board at Scottish universities, some 20% - 25% of students are from overseas. This is a rising percentage. The vet schools at Edinburgh and Glasgow appear to be leading the charge in this direction as they now have 42.3% and 38.8% of international students respectively. Just four years ago, 23.8 % of Edinburgh students were from overseas, so the rate of increase there is incredible. Student debt Final year veterinary medicine students from the UK expected to graduate with a debt of 34,508 in 2012, up by 53.1% on When surveyed in 2008, that same group of students indicated that they were expecting to graduate with a debt of 25,161 so they underestimated what their debt would actually be by some 37.1%. When looking at the figures reported in 2008, not only has the level of debt increased significantly but also, and of equal concern, so has the difference between what students expect their debt to be and what it ends up being. Even, the same underestimating of debt in 2016 would see that year s graduates leaving university owing 47,330.That would be the level of debt upon graduation for the final year of students before the effect of 9,000 per year tuition fees is visible

6 Earlier, a question regarding the length of time that someone remains in the profession was posed when considering the difference in the number of females and males entering. The same is certainly worth looking at in relation to the levels of debt. The veterinary profession has certainly changed over recent years, and salaried work for the rapidly increasing number of corporate employers may not be seen as the long-term attractive career option that the profession once was. This may also be true when thinking about entry to vet school too. There are undoubtedly many more attractive ways for high achieving students to get rich than entering the veterinary profession and an understanding of the likely debt upon graduation is likely to deter some potential applicants. EMS EMS remains a vital part of the training required to become a vet. It is therefore a concern to see such a wide variance in the degrees of satisfaction reported by students from each vet school in their respective EMS systems and structures. The financial requirements that come with EMS are also a major issue. With still no sight of any additional loans or funding being made available despite the fact that EMS requirements effectively constitute an additional year on the course, there is a severe risk that the course will be out of reach for students who are not from A,B,C1 backgrounds. Almost half of those surveyed said that the cost was an extremely important consideration when deciding upon an EMS placement, and it is disheartening to see as this should obviously not be a part of an equitable education system. Following that through, almost a third of students have actually declined a UK based EMS placement once they know how much it costs. This raises a perfectly legitimate question of whether students with the most secure financial background are the ones who get the best and most rounded education and, subsequently, the best career prospects? It would be interesting to explore this area too alongside the question of who is it that is leaving? Veterinary schools ttingham University started teaching veterinary medicine in 2006 so this is the first version of this survey that has included data for every year in the school. It is a newly designed and purpose built vet school so clearly has some advantages over longer established institutions. However, it outperforms the other vet schools in every single comparison that is made. This ranges from the earlier mentioned EMS systems and structures to the course structure, content, balance and quality. The establishing of a new vet school with such favourable feedback from students should provide other universities with an opportunity to review and learn from what they are offering. It should also perhaps give pause for thought before any of us rush to condemn the addition of further new schools such as the one due to commence at Surrey. Anything that improves the quality of veterinary education should be welcomed and, it might be remembered, that existing schools can go just as well as new ones can arrive. Mental health and student welfare We first surveyed UK veterinary students attitude towards and experience of mental health problems when this survey was last conducted in 2008 and a comparison was drawn between the incidences of problems reported by veterinary medicine students compared with statistics available via the mental health charity, Mind. It is therefore particularly concerning to report this year that across all named issues, there is an increase in the percentage of respondents who reported experiencing them. Mind reports that 12.0% of the UK population experience depression, whereas the survey reveals 32.7% of respondents either do or have previously suffered from it. To be more than two and half times as likely to suffer from this illness is a situation for us all to be worried about, and the fact that the numbers have increased since 2008 suggests that attempts to deal with mental wellbeing issues as a part of the veterinary medicine course have so far proved fruitless. Nick Wojciechowski AVS President 2013

7 Total number of responses Total Number of responses University Total responses of home students of overseas students Bristol Total Year Year Year Year Year Part II/Intercalating Cambridge Total Year Year Year Year Year Year Edinburgh Total Year Year Year Year Year Year Glasgow Total Year Year Year Year Year Liverpool Total Year Year Year Year Year RVC Total Preliminary Year Year Year Year Year Part II/Intercalating ttingham Total Preliminary Year Year Year Year Year Overall Total

8 Undergraduate student numbers 2011/ 2012 Total number of students at each university (per RCVS Facts 2012) University Female Male Total Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool London ,150 ttingham Total 3,522 1,056 4,578 The survey was completed by 2,106 out of 4,578 students; a response rate of 46.0%. University UK students Overseas students Total Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool London ,150 ttingham Total 3, ,578 The responses were made up of 1,768 out of 3,730 home (47.4%) and 338 out of 848 overseas students (39.9%) The RCVS figures show that the female/ male breakdown appears to have stabilised. In fact the 2012 figure of 76.9% female shows a slight drop from 2008 when it was 78.8%. The percentage of UK vet school students who are from overseas increases rapidly 18.5% of this year s students are from overseas compared with 11.9% in 2008 and 8.3% in Another way to report this growth is that of the 539 more veterinary students in 2012 than there were in 2008, 370 of them are from overseas.

9 Section A Personal 1 & 2 ascertained the University of each Respondent and form the Total number of respondents table. 3) What is your gender? What is your gender? 22.0% Female Male 78.0% The gender balance of respondents to the survey was consistent with that reported by RCVS. Females were slightly more likely to complete the BVA survey than males so our respondent breakdown shows 1.1% more females than the 76.9% reported by RCVS. There was very little difference in this breakdown across the universities. Male:Female Ratio by Year 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Male Female Preliminary Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Where a difference is clearly visible is in the gender breakdown of students on the veterinary course preliminary year. It will be interesting to see if this is the beginning of universities trying to address the gender imbalance by changing their entry criteria/ methods.

10 4) Secondary education (up to 16)? Secondary Education (Age 11 to GCSE / Standard Grades) by University 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% State/ Secondary Modern Grammar Independent/ Private Other 0.0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall There has been a marked increase in the percentage of students who attended state/ secondary modern/ grammar schools up to the age of 16. Almost two thirds of respondents (65.8%) reported this background in 2012 compared with 59.8% in ) Education establishment attended for A Levels/ Highers or equivalent? Establishment attended for 'A' levels / 'Highers' or equivalent by University (%) 45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall State/ Secondary Modern Grammar Independent/ Private College of Further Education Other Post-16 education sees colleges of further education added to the mix as well, but very little difference to the breakdown % of respondents completed their further education at state/ secondary modern/ grammar or colleges of further education. The 14.9% added to colleges of further education is almost matched exactly by the 14.7% fall in respondents at state/ secondary modern schools.

11 6) Did you do another degree before entering vet school? Did you do another degree before entering vet school? 20.6% 79.4% The percentage of students who have undertaken another degree before entering vet school is almost unchanged since 2008 at 20.6%. This is down just 0.2%. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Edinburgh (37.0%) and Glasgow (31.5%) continue to report more second degree students than any of the other UK universities. However, the number of second-degree students at Glasgow has fallen from the peak of 38.3% reported in Using the RCVS total number of student figures, this fall represents 41 less second-degree Glasgow students.

12 7) If, was this taken with the intent of a subsequent veterinary medicine degree? Was this taken with the intent of a subsequent veterinary medicine degree? 32.1% 67.9% This figure has remained consistent since this survey was introduced. Around one-third of second-degree veterinary medicine students are on the course having decided to so post their decision to go to university for their original degree. These figures tell us that 640 of the 2012 veterinary student population are there as second degree students who always intended to go on to study veterinary medicine. 8) Which year of the veterinary medicine course did you enter? What year of the veterinary course did you enter? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Bristol CambridgeEdinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Fifth Fourth Third Second First Preliminary

13 9) Are you a home or an overseas student? Are you a home or an overseas student? 16.0% Home Overseas 84.0% As already reported in the undergraduate student numbers, the actual number of overseas students at UK vet schools is 18.5%. That BVA s breakdown shows 16.0% of respondents were overseas students highlights that students from the UK were more likely to participate in the survey. This is up from the 12.5% of 2008 respondents who were from overseas. 10) If you are an overseas student, which country are you from? If you are an overseas student, which country are you from? 12.4% 1.8% USA Canada 13.9% 5.9% 49.7% Republic of Ireland Hong Kong Rest of Europe 5.3% 10.9% Other t Answered Little has changed in the geographic background of survey respondents who are overseas students, with almost half of them coming from the USA. In fact, USA, Canada, Ireland and Hong Kong are the top four countries just as in 2008.

14 11) Have you intercalated or do you intend to intercalate during the course? Have you intercalated or do you intend to intercalate during the course? 19.8% 80.2% Almost 1 in 5 respondents have either already intercalated or anticipate intercalating during their course. This is an increase from the 15.4% who said this in IT is also contrary to student expectations in 2008 when students fed back that they felt the increase in costs of the course would lead to fewer students choosing to do this.

15 Section B Financial 12) For funding purposes, which of the following applies to you? For funding purposes, which one of the following applies to you? 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Bristol CambridgeEdinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Other UK second degree Overseas at British Uni Scottish first degree English/ Welsh/ NI first degree This table displays the clear difference between the background of students at Edinburgh and Glasgow compared with those at Bristol, Cambridge, Liverpool, RVC & ttingham. The much higher levels of non-fee paying Scottish students (29.4% and 37.0% respectively) and the accompanying much higher levels of higher fee paying overseas students (27.2% and 25.2% respectively) continues the pattern previously recorded in However, at Edinburgh in particular it is worth noting that there are now almost as many overseas students as there are Scottish ones and this fall in Scottish students continues a trend since It is at least worth posing the question as to whether this funding gap is going to prove detrimental to Scottish vet school applicants in the longer term? 13) Who funds the majority of your tuition fees? Who funds the majority of your tuition fees? LEA/ SAAS/ grant 4.6% Yourself via loan (e.g. SLC) 19.2% 21.9% Yourself via parents Scholarship Sponsorship 53.7% Other (please specify)

16 Who funds the majority of your tuition fees? 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% LEA/SAAS/ grant Yourself via loan Yourself via parents Scholarship Sponsorship Other 10.0% 0.0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Since 2008, the percentage of students who fund their tuition fees has increased by almost 150%, up from 21.7% then to 53.7% now. Every other method of funding has decreased during the same period. Again, the distinction between Edinburgh and Glasgow and the rest is worth noting where, as expected, far fewer students fund their tuition fees via loans and far higher percentages are funded by LEA/ SAAS/ grant. 14) Have you received any money at all in the form of grants? Have you received any money at all in the form of grants? 34.3% 65.7% Just over a third of respondents had received a grant of some sort at some stage during their time at vet school.

17 15) How much have you received per year in grants (to cover tuition fees and/ or maintenance? Averages across universities Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Preliminary , , , Year 1 1, , , , , , , , Year 2 2, , , , , , , , Year 3 2, , , , , , , , Year 4 2, , , , , , , , Year 5 5, , , , , , , , Part II / Intercalation 4, , , , The average grant awarded varied significantly 7, to Edinburgh third year students to 1, to Glasgow 4 th years. 16) Have you borrowed money from the Student Loans Company for your tuition fees? Have you borrowed money from the Student Loans Company for your tuition fees? 33.3% 66.7% Two-thirds of respondents have borrowed money from the SLC to cover the cost of tuition fees.

18 17) What percentage of your tuition fees are covered by the LEA/ SAAS tuition fee loan? What percentage of your tuition fees are covered by the LEA/ SAAS tuition fee loan? 65.9% 21.7% 7.1% 2.5% 2.7% t applicable 0% 1-50% 51-99% 100% Almost all of those eligible for the tuition fee loans had 100% of their fees covered by them. Putting the responses to questions 16 & 17 together tells us that 28.8% of survey respondents were not eligible for SLC tuition fee loans so 93.8% of eligible respondents had borrowed money from the SLC for this purpose and 92.5% had 100% of their fees covered by the tuition fee loan. 18) How much has the SLC (or equivalent) been prepared to loan you per year for tuition fees? Averages across universities Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Preliminary , , , Year 1 3, , , , , , , , Year 2 3, , , , , , , , Year 3 3, , , , , , , , Year 4 3, , , , , , , , Year 5 3, , , , , , , , Part II / Intercalation 3, , , , , Total Average 3, The average amount loaned is quite consistent across all vet schools and all years.

19 19) Have you borrowed money from the Student Loans Company for your maintenance loan? Have you borrowed money from the Student Loans Company for your maintenance loan? 29.7% 70.3% Slightly more students have borrowed money from the SLC for their maintenance than have for their tuition fees. As Scottish students on a first degree in Scotland do not pay any fees, it is unsurprising to find this the case. In fact, the most surprising bit is that the gap isn t wider. 20) How much have the SLC (or equivalent) been prepared to loan you per year for your maintenance loan? Averages across universities Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Preliminary , , , Year 1 4, , , , , , , , Year 2 3, , , , , , , , Year 3 3, , , , , , , , Year 4 3, , , , , , , , Year 5 3, , , , , , , , Part II / Intercalation 3, , , , , There is a notable increase in the average maintenance loan given out to students in year 1 of the course. This group of respondents received a higher average amount than every other year of study at every university. At the year 1 student level, RVC students will be graduating in 2016 with 30,000-35,000 of maintenance loan debt on top of that for the tuition fees.

20 21) Do you require additional finance to that received via the SLC (or equivalent)? Do you require additional finance to that received via the SLC (or equivalent)? 28.1% 71.9% There has been a sharp rise in the percentage of respondents who require additional financial assistance to that received via the SLC 60.6% responded in 2008 so it is up by 11.3%. 22) Do you receive any financial assistance from your parents? Do you receive any financial assistance from your parents? 26.8% 73.2% At the same time as the increase in students needing financial assistance, there is a small drop in the percentage who obtain any financial support from their parents down from 77.6% in It will be interesting to see how this figure develops in future versions of the survey too as UK vet schools take steps to try and address the imbalance in the social background of entrants.

21 23) If you required additional finance, what has been your main source? If you required additional finance, what has been your main source? 8.8% 11.5% t applicable 15.0% 5.0% 10.3% Bank loan Bursaries/ grants 11.2% Parental donation Parental loan 38.1% Personal savings Other (please specify) Parental donation remains by far the largest category as the main source for additional finance although the drop here from 42.9% in 2008 mirrors the fall in the percentage of respondents who receive any assistance from their parents. 24) Have you applied for a scholarship or similar award? Have you applied for a scholarship or similar award? 11.9% 88.1% The percentage of respondents who have applied for a scholarship or similar award continues its slow climb having risen from 8.0% in 2002 to 9.6% in 2005 to 10.1% in 2008 and now to 11.9% in 2012.

22 Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall BVA/ AVS 2012 Survey Results 25) If, what was the sum received (even if 0) in each case? 5, , , , , , , , , If '', what was the sum received (even if 0) in each case? The average scholarship award has increased considerably with an overall average award of 2,459, up from 1,656 in With no previous version of the survey having seen such an increase in the average award it is worth speculating that the size of awards have increased in line with tuition fees. 26) Have you applied to the college hardship fund? Have you applied to the College Hardship Fund? 5.8% 94.2% Perhaps surprisingly, the percentage of respondents who have applied to the college hardship fund has decreased in A range of 7.3% - 8.1% has covered this category in all previous surveys.

23 27) If, what was the sum received (even if 0) in each case? 2, , , , , , Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall However, the figures suggest that those who do apply are in more financial difficulties in previous years as the average sum received has increased from 462 in 2008 to 757 in ) As a percentage, please allocate the division of your expenditure to the following categories: As a percentage, please try and allocate the division of your current expenditure over an academic year to the following categories. 3.1% 7.6% 8.6% 32.1% Accommodation (rent / mortage) Tuition Fees Company Living Expenses 18.4% Textbooks/ Course Equipment Socialising/ Hobbies 30.2% Other Tuition fees and accommodation together account for almost two-thirds of veterinary student expenditure. By the time this survey is next conducted, the tuition fees will have increased again and this, amongst a host of others, is a question that will show the impact of that increase.

24 29) What is your current total debt? Home Students 2012 Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Preliminary , , , Year 1 5, , , , , , , , Year 2 11, , , , , , , , Year 3 21, , , , , , , , Year 4 25, , , , , , , , Year 5 28, , , , , , , , Year 6 14, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 4, , , , , , , , Year 2 10, , , , , , , , Year 3 12, , , , , , , Year 4 12, , , , , , , Year 5 19, , , , , , , Year 6-21, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 1, , , , , Year 2 5, , , , , , , Year 3 9, , , , , , Year 4 11, , , , , , , Year 5 15, , , , , , , Year 6 14, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 1, , , , , , Year 2 5, , , , , , , Year 3 8, , , , , , , Year 4 8, , , , , , , Year 5 10, , , , , , , Year 6 7, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 1, , , , , , , Year 2 2, , , , , , , Year 3 3, , , , , , Year 4 4, , , , , , , Year 5 6, , , , , , , The average debt of a year 5 student in 1999 was just 400 more than the average debt of that for a year 1 student in At 32,015 a year 5 student s debt in 2012 is 5 times higher than it was in 1999 and is up by 58% since 2008.

25 Overseas students 2012 Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Preliminary Year 1 4, , , , , , Year , , , , , Year , , , , , , Year , , , , , Year 5 30, , , , , , Year Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year , , , Year , , , , , , , Year 3 22, , , , , Year , , , , Year 5 25, , , , , Year Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 5, , , , , , , Year 2 54, , , , , , , Year 3 36, , , , , Year 4 31, , , , , , , Year 5 40, , , , , , , Year 6 32, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 4, , , , , , , Year 2 5, , , , , , , Year 3 23, , , , , , Year 4 34, , , , , , Year , , , , , , Year 6 17, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 3, , , , , , Year , , , , , , Year 3 11, , , , , , Year 4 13, , , , , , Year 5 16, , , , Between 2008 and 2012 the average debt of an overseas student in their final year has almost doubled to stand at 96,007.

26 30) If you are in debt, please allocate a percentage to the following categories: Breakdown by University 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool London ttingham Overall Bank Loan Bank Overdraft Parents SLC Other The striking difference in the breakdown by vet school is the much smaller percentage of debt with the SLC and much higher in the other category at Edinburgh and Glasgow. This is clearly a combination of Scottish vet students there not paying tuition fees and higher volumes of international students having alternative funding arrangements. Breakdown by Year 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Preliminary Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Bank Loan Bank Overdraft Parents SLC Other In Q21 it was reported that there was an increase in the percentage of respondents who required funding from other sources. Supporting evidence is provided for this is shown by the fact that at a time when tuition fees have been increasing, there has been a drop in the percentage of debt allocated to the SLC.

27 31) What do you expect your total debt to be upon graduation? Home Students 2012 Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Preliminary , , , Year 1 36, , , , , , , , Year 2 33, , , , , , , , Year 3 39, , , , , , , , Year 4 36, , , , , , , , Year 5 31, , , , , , , , Year 6-33, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 26, , , , , , , , Year 2 30, , , , , , , , Year 3 23, , , , , , , Year 4 16, , , , , , , Year 5 20, , , , , , , Year 6-21, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 12, , , , , , , Year 2 15, , , , , , , Year 3 17, , , , , , Year 4 16, , , , , , , Year 5 19, , , , , , , Year 6-16, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 16, , , , , , , Year 2 17, , , , , , , Year 3 17, , , , , , , Year 4 12, , , , , , , Year 5 9, , , , , , , Year 6-7, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 14, , , , , , , Year 2 6, , , , , , , Year 3 6, , , , , , Year 4 6, , , , , , , Year 5 7, , , , , , , t only is expected debt obviously increasing year on year when comparing the same year over a period Year 5 students in 2012 are expecting to graduate with a debt of 34, This is 37% higher than the same group believed their debt upon graduation would be as Year 1 students when the survey was conducted in 2008.

28 Overseas students 2012 Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Preliminary Year 1 21, , , , , , Year , , , , , , Year , , , , , , , Year , , , , , , Year 5 30, , , , , , Year Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 16, , , , Year , , , , , , , Year 3 60, , , , , Year , , , , Year 5 25, , , , , , Year Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 40, , , , , , , Year 2 86, , , , , , , Year 3 68, , , , , Year 4 39, , , , , , , Year 5 40, , , , , , , Year 6-33, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 40, , , , , , , Year 2 23, , , , , , , Year 3 45, , , , , , Year 4 43, , , , , , Year , , , , , , Year 6 21, , Year Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Year 1 5, , , , , , Year , , , , , , Year 3 18, , , , , , Year 4 16, , , , , , Year 5 16, , , , The expected debt upon graduation for final year students from overseas is now over 100,000! When making the same comparison as for home students, this is 19% higher than year 1 respondents expected when they were surveyed in 2008.

29 32) How would you rate the difficulty caused by your current financial position? (1=none, 5 = severe) 35.0% How would you rate the difficulty caused by your financial position? (Total) 30.0% 30.7% 25.0% 20.0% 23.3% 23.8% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 12.6% 9.6% 0.0% ne Mild Average Difficult Severe One third of respondents record the level of difficulty caused by their debt as either difficult or severe. This has actually decreased slightly from the 35.3% who felt this way in Breakdown by university 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% ne Mild Average Difficult Severe 5.0% 0.0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall It is possible to suggest that tuition fees do not have a significant impact on the difficulty caused by the financial position of those surveyed. In fact, students at Cambridge and Bristol are least likely to report financial difficulties rather than those at Edinburgh and Glasgow.

30 33) Are you able to supplement your income? Are you able to supplement your income? 25.4% 74.6% Fewer respondents have felt able to supplement their income ever since this survey was first conducted. In 1999, 57% did not do anything to supplement their income whislt at university, and this has steadily increased in 2002, 2005 and 2008 until the 74.6% in ) If, how many hours per week can you work (express as an average over the year)? If '', how many hours per week can you work? Overall ttingham London Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh 1-3 hours 4-6 hours 7-9 hours hours hours 16 + hours Cambridge Bristol 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% At the same time as fewer students are working whilst doing their degree, those who do so are working fewer hours 47.0% up to 3 hours per week in 2012 compared with 42.3% in 2008.

31 35) And per week, how much do you earn (express as an average over the year)? And per week, how much do you earn? (Again, please express as an average over the year) 13.0% 10.5% 15.0% 32.0% Less than % The largest number of respondents still earn less than 15 per week and 6/10 earn a maximum of 30 per week. 36) Were you aware what your debt was likely to be when you entered vet school? Were you aware of the potential debts before entering vet school? Overall Intercalatin g 7.3% 16.5% 92.7% 83.5% Year % 68.2% Year 4 Year % 14.0% 76.5% 86.0% Year % 89.9% Year % 88.4% Preliminary 10.0% 90.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Given that debt is so much higher for final year students than they expected when surveyed in 2008, it is perhaps surprising that so many respondents indicate that they were aware of the potential debts before entering vet school. However, even so, it is notable that the percentage of respondents unaware of the debt levels does increase the further into the course they get. It is also striking that almost twice as many respondents were unaware of the likely debt levels in 2012 as were in 2008 (8.7%).

32 37) If, would knowledge of the debt have stopped you from applying to vet school? If '', would knowledge of the debt have stopped you from applying to vet school? 15.0% 85.0% Even though debt levels continue to rise, an overwhelming majority of those students who were unaware of how large the debt would be would still have applied to vet school. In fact, the 15% who say this would have affected their choice this time around is a drop from 19.5% who said this in 2008 and is just 1 in 40 out of those surveyed. 38) How would you rate the extent to which your debts will affect your choice of job when you graduate? (1=none, 5=large) Impact on career choice Overa ll Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year % 29.3% 24.6% 18.4% 18.5% 18.3% 15.4% 26.1% 26.1% 27.2% 24.2% 24.2% 24.4% 29.3% 27.1% 23.9% 24.5% 27.9% 31.3% 18.8% 39.0% 25.4% 13.8% 18.4% 20.3% 19.7% 21.1% 9.3% 4.9% 2.4% ne 6.9% Small 13.2% Average Some 9.5% Large 9.9% 8.1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Although overall, the numbers are very similar re the extent debt will affect career choice, it is worth noting the high number of fourth year students who think they will have a large part to play and then the drop in final year. Almost as if, the closer to graduation respondents become the more they focus on their career rather than their debt.

33 39) Have you ever needed to seek any kind of debt advice? Have you ever needed to seek any kind of debt advice? 8.4% 91.6% Although 8.4% seems a relatively low percentage of respondents who have had to seek debt advice, in numbers terms, it is 177 of the survey respondents and would be 385 out of those studying at UK vet schools in It looks a lot less insignificant then. 40) Would a BVA/ AVS financial management service be useful? Would a financial management service via BVA/ AVS be useful? 27.4% 72.6% Almost three-quarters of respondents would find a financial management service via BVA/ AVS useful.

34 41) If it were possible to be sponsored by an employer in your clinical years, but then be committed to them for a fixed period (e.g. for three years), would you consider this? Breakdown by year 90.0% 80.0% 80.0% 80.5% 70.0% 60.0% 68.2% 66.2% 64.4% 62.9% 60.8% 65.4% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 29.9% 32.4% 33.8% 34.9% 33.6% 32.2% Maybe 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 10.0% 17.1% 10.0% 1.8% 1.4% 1.8% 2.2% 5.6% 2.4% 2.4% Preliminary Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Intercalating Overall There has been a small increase in the percentage of respondents who do think a scheme by which students committed to a practice for a period of time post-graduation in exchange for sponsorship of clinical years would be a good idea. However, the reality is that the substantial increase in tuition fees now at 9,000 per year means that such a scheme is extremely unlikely to come to pass.

35 Section C The undergraduate course 42) What was the main reason you chose to study at your particular vet school? What was the main reason you chose to study at your particular vet school? 7% 2% 32% Only one I was accepted at Cost of living 22% University reputation Location AVMA accreditation Social reasons 2% 5% 2% Impression on interview/ first visit Quality of facilities 9% 19% Length of course The only one I was accepted at has always been the stand out response to this question. 43) Overall, have most subjects been covered to your satisfaction? 60.0% Breakdown by university 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Well Very Well 0.0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall There is a clear trend of increased satisfaction with how the course subjects are covered. Those who said well or very well in response to this question has risen from 68.6% in 1999, to 67.7% in 2002, to 74.6% in 2005, 75.6% in 2008 and now 77.8% in At a time when students pay for their education it is statistics such as this that the universities can use to show how the improvement in veterinary medicine course has coincided with the introduction of fees. ttingham has twice the overall overage (52.9% against 26.6%) who say the course subjects are covered very well.

36 44) What subject areas, if any, are particularly well covered? Top three subjects at each university Rank Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham 1 Anatomy Anatomy Anatomy Anatomy Anatomy Anatomy 2 Physiology Pathology Anaesthesia Physiology 3 Parasitology Physiology Pathology Pathology Locomotor System Physiology (2=) Reproduction Locomotor system Veterinary Clinical Skills Anatomy Endocrinology Everybody loves Anatomy! This seems to be the overall message when looking at the subject areas that are particularly well covered. Assuming that there are variables in how it is taught at the different vet schools, it is probably reasonable to surmise that the interest in the content is rather a significant factor in the responses to this question too. Probably more notable is that only ttingham respondents recorded veterinary clinical skills as being particularly well covered. This stands out as an area that other universities may look to learn from as it does not get a mention by any other university. 45) What subject areas, if any, are not particularly well covered? Lowest three subjects at each university Rank Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham 1 Animal Management 2 Physiology 3 Animal Health & Husbandry Pharmacology Welfare & Behaviour Embryology Nervous system Animal Health & Husbandry Biomolecular sciences Genetics Pharmacology Farm Animal Science Dentistry Biochemistry Anatomy Exotics Biochemistry Anatomy Histology Anatomy (2=) Microbiology (2=) The list of subjects that are not covered well is a much more mixed bag with many only in the list for one university; Bristol: Cambridge: Edinburgh: Glasgow: ne of the subjects reported in 2008 by Bristol students reappeared this time around All three subjects reported by Cambridge students in 2008 are reported again in 2012 with only behaviour and biochemistry swapped around. ne of the subjects reported in 2008 by Edinburgh students reappeared this time around Biomolecular sciences remained an area for concern for Glasgow students Liverpool: Both pharmacology and genetics were unpopular subjects in 2008 and 2012 RVC: Farm animal medicine was the weakest area at RVC in 2008 and it is again in 2012 ttingham: Microbiology is the only subject to remain on the list in both 2008 and Such varied responses on this question would support an assumption that these are areas that each of the universities should look to address.

37 46) Please rate the following (1=very poor, 5=excellent): Overall Balance of lectures and practicals ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Cambridge Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent N/A Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Basic clinical skills teaching Overall ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Cambridge Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

38 Clinical years teaching Overall ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Cambridge Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Course relevance Overall ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Cambridge Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent N/A Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

39 Interest of the course Overall ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Cambridge Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Well Very Well Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Quality of the lecturing Overall ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Cambridge Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

40 Quality of practicals Overall ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent Cambridge Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Pre-clinical years teaching Overall ttingham RVC Liverpool Glasgow Edinburgh Very Poor Poor Satisfactory Good Excellent N/A Cambridge Bristol 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

41 Bristol Student responses across the board appear to have dipped at Bristol In 2008 just 4.1% of respondents rated practicals as poor or very poor. It is up to 10.0% in 2012 more than any other university. 63.3% of respondents from Bristol scored pre-clinical years teaching good or excellent compared with an overall average of 70.2% 77.4 % of Bristol students considered clinical years teaching good or excellent compared with an overall average of 79.4%. Cambridge Cambridge students are very happy with the quality of their practicals Fewer than 1 in 50 Cambridge respondents thought their practicals to be of poor quality. This compares with an overall average of 1 in 50. Course relevance remains an issue amongst Cambridge students 53.6% believing it to be good or excellent, whilst the overall average is 78.3%. Although not always thought relevant, the course content is believed interesting as just 1.7% of respondents said the interest of the course was either poor or very poor Edinburgh Edinburgh results bear closest resemblance to the overall average across all questions. 79.2% of Edinburgh respondents rates the quality of lectures good or excellent compare with 77.0% overall. The weakest area of the Edinburgh course was the course balance, for which 55.5% of respondents said it was good or excellent against an overall average of 65.6%. 84.8% of respondents scored the interest of the course favourably, compared with 85.3% overall. Glasgow Glasgow respondents were also broadly in line with the overall averages. Just 1 in every 74 respondents from Glasgow described the quality of lecturing as poor As in 2008, only Cambridge students ranked their university worse in relation to course relevance The balance between practicals and lectures was scored almost identically to the overall average in all levels of satisfaction. Liverpool Liverpool students were particularly positive about the quality of their practicals 83.0% said their practicals were either good or excellent compared with an average response of 74.2% Pre-clinical years teaching also fared above average as 78.8% of respondents said good or excellent compared with an overall average of 70.2% The biggest area of weakness at Liverpool as the basic clinical skills teaching as just 44.3% of respondents rated this highly against an overall average of 63.4%. RVC RVC report much improved practicals experience but there is still room to improve In % of respondents thought practicals were poor or very poor. This has dropped to 8.8% this time around, still above the overall average if 4.9% but much improved The balance between their lectures and practicals sees even further improvement with 7.8% reporting this as poor or very poor compared with an overall average of 11.4%. This is down from 26.9% of RVCS students who said this in % of RVC respondents stated that the course relevance was either good or excellent compared with an overall average of 78.3% ttingham ttingham respondents were more positive about every single aspect of the course than all other universities. The differences were most marked where: 96.2% of ttingham students rated basic clinical skills teaching as good or excellent against an overall average of 65.4%. 96.3% of ttingham students considered the balance between lectures and practicals to be good or excellent compared with an overall average of 65.6%. The quality of practicals was considered good or excellent by 94.1% of ttingham students compared with 74.2% of respondents across all vet schools.

42 47(a) Gives you adequate time to understand the subjects covered? 47(b) Prepares you for lifelong learning and CPD on qualification? 47(c) Gives you enough time to adequately relax and recuperate? 47(d) Equips you to create a healthy work/ life balance on graduation? 47(e) Prepares you for the professional life you face on graduation? BVA/ AVS 2012 Survey Results 47) Do you think that the undergraduate course: 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Don't know Only in response to whether the vet course permits enough time to relax and recuperate did the majority of respondents answer no. However, it was only just a majority of students (52.8%) who believed the course does equip you to create a healthy work/ life balance. More positively, with the continued learning responsibilities postgraduation, just 7.0% of respondents felt that the course does not prepare them for this. 48) Do you think that you should be taught all areas of veterinary medicine during the undergraduate course? Breakdown by university 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Responses to this question have been almost unchanged since the question was asked in Eight of ten those surveyed consistently believe that all areas of veterinary medicine should be taught.

43 49) Are you happy with the EMS system and structure at your vet school? Breakdown by university 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall Do not know Happiness with the EMS system at each university is extremely varied, ranging from 90.9% of ttingham respondents to just 48.4% of those from Liverpool. ttingham University consistently outperforms the other vet schools in these head-to-head comparisons but the percentage of Liverpool University respondents is almost 15% shy of the next worst performing university, Bristol, where 64.2% of respondents were happy with their EMS system. Breakdown by year 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Preliminary Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Overall Do not know It is noticeable that students in year 5 of the veterinary medicine course are happier with the EMS system (78.7%) and structure than those in years 2 (64.6%), 3 (68.9%) and 4 (71.9%). It will be interesting to follow this trend as there are many reasons why this could be the case. Perhaps older students become more self-sufficient or maybe the system is getting worse for those just starting it? As a new question, it will be next time around that we can look more closely at this.

44 50) During EMS at veterinary practices is there sufficient.? (c) Opportunity to undertake tasks (b) Teaching (a) Supervision of tasks undertaken 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 80.0% 90.0% 100.0% Do not know This question has been expanded upon from previous years and it has perhaps become more informative as such. We previously only asked whether there was enough supervision of tasks undertaken and 38.0% responded yes and 17.6% responded no. These numbers have changed significantly to 52.1% of respondents who said yes and 4.8% who said no this time around. This suggests that either some students were previously wrapping the opportunity to undertake tasks and teaching in with their answers in the past or that supervision during EMS is improving. 51) Should veterinary practices be registered for EMS? Should practices be registered for EMS? 23.7% Do not know 14.1% 62.2% In 2008, 76.2% of respondents stated that practices should be registered for EMS. This has dropped to 62.2% in There are increased vet students year on year trying to access EMS so it is possible that there is a realisation that registration to provide EMS will further reduce the places available.

45 52) Please rate the following considerations when choosing where to do your EMS: Overall 100% 90% N/A 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% Extremely important Important Average importance t important 30% 20% t important at all 10% 0% Cost Equipment available Hands-on experience Location Type of practice Willingness of staff to teach The most important things to vet students are hands on experience (62.1% consider it extremely important) and willingness of staff to teach (59.3%). Only 7.0% of respondents think the equipment available is extremely available. In terms of the potential development of future vets it should be concerning that almost half (45.5%) state that the cost of EMS is a very important consideration. 53) Please estimate the amount you spend per year attending compulsory EMS requirements: 100% Breakdown by university 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham Overall N/A 1, , Almost half (47.7%) of respondents spend up to 500 per year to attend their compulsory EMS requirements, 36.9% spend between 501 and 1,000 per year and just 6.7% spend over 1,000. It is visible that Liverpool students spend more per year on their EMS and perhaps worth referring back to the fact that Liverpool students were also the ones who expressed most dissatisfaction with their university EMS and structure.

46 54) Have you ever declined to attend a UK based EMS placement solely because of the costs? Have you ever declined to attend a UK based EMS placement solely because of the costs? 31.9% 68.1% Nearly a third of respondents who have attended EMS placements have declined to attend solely because of the costs attributed to it. This is an extremely high number of students affected by the costs required to complete the veterinary medicine course. 55) In which area did/ do you envisage working? Other Teaching Exotics/ wildlife Research Farm/ equine mixed Farm/ small animal/ equine mixed Small/ equine mixed w When you entered Farm Equine Small animal 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% The most noteworthy aspect of the responses to the question about which area students intended to work in when they started their course and which area they intend to work in now is just how little it changes. As in previous year s the biggest drop-off seems to be from those who anticipate working in equine practice.

47 56) After graduation will you consider further study such as? (a) MSc / PhD etc 26.8% 29.8% Do not know 43.5% (b) Diplomas / certificates etc 23.2% Do not know 13.9% 62.9% This is another question that has been expanded upon from previous years. In 2008, less than half (47.6%) of respondents indicated that they would consider further study post-graduation. This time around, 62.9% of respondents have told us that they will consider education such as diplomas and certificates whilst 29.8% will consider more full-time study such as an MSc or PhD. This is much more informative than the previous generic question.

48 Section D Welfare 57) Please rate the severity you attach to the following possible welfare concerns of veterinary medicine students (1=none at all, 5=severe): 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% (a) Anxiety (b) Depression (c) Eating disorder (d) Stress (e) Other mental health issue(s) Severe Serious Problematic Mild ne at all 58) Please record the incidence at which you have encountered any of the following mental health issues amongst you vet school peers (1=none at all, 5=very often): 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% (a) Anxiety (b) Depression (c) Eating disorder (d) Stress (e) Other mental health issue(s) Very often Well over half (55.8%) of respondents believe there is a severe chance of stress being a welfare concern for veterinary medicine students. In fact when added to the 31.6% of students who think there is a serious chance of stress then it appears almost an accepted part of the course. There is a lot of data here to concern universities and the wider profession. More than 1 in 2 students think there s a serious or severe chance of depression, threequarters a serious or severe chance of anxiety and a quarter think that an eating disorder is a severe or serious risk. The incidence at which respondents have encountered the same mental health issues clearly bears a lot of resemblance to the severity attached to the welfare concerns recorded. Stress had the highest severity attached and is the most encountered, and eating disorders had the lowest severity attached and is the least encountered. However, in all cases the severity attached by respondents is higher than the incidence at which it has been encountered. This may well display a well-informed group s awareness and concern about the issues too. Often Average Rarely ne at all

49 59) Have you ever suffered from any of the following? 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% Have you ever suffered from any of the following? 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Anxiety Depression Eating disorder Stress Other mental health issue(s) Again, there is a clear relationship between the rate that respondents have themselves experienced the mental health issues and the severity they placed on them 82.4% of respondents have suffered stress, 56.5% anxiety, 32.7% depression and 9.8% an eating disorder. Just the 9.8% who report suffering from an eating disorder would be some 459 of the veterinary student population. 60) If, have you ever sought help for the issue(s) you faced? 100% 90% 16.8% 80% 70% 60% 80.6% 81.2% 83.4% 50% 40% 30% 20% 83.2% 10% 19.4% 18.8% 16.6% 0% (a) Professional (b) Support of family and friends (c) University (d) help sought The overwhelming majority of respondents have continued with just the support of their family and friends. However, it is a significant minority who have had to seek assistance from the university (18.8%) or from professionals (19.4%).

50 Section E Widening participation 61) Do you think increased tuition fees will deter future applications to vet school by students from less affluent backgrounds? Do you think increased tuition fees will deter future applications to vet school by students from less affluent backgrounds? 8.5% 14.5% Do not know 77.0% Vet students are clearly concerned that the increased tuition fees will deter future applications to by students from less affluent backgrounds. There is no element of self-interest at play here as respondents were only considering future applicants. At the very least this means that the message promoted by government that the new fees regime is a more reasonable one is not getting through and at worst it is that it is simply not believed. 62) Do you think there are barriers other than academic merit to applying to vet school? Do you think there are barriers other than academic merit to applying to vet school? 11.1% 18.9% Do not know 70.0% 7 out of 10 respondents believe that academic merit alone is not sufficient in order to access vet school. As the course continues to be oversubscribed by high achieving students then this appears a reasonable belief.

51 63) If, what do you think they are? Top three barriers identified at each university Rank Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham 1 Work experience Work experience Finances Work experience Finances Work experience Work experience 2 Finances Finances Work experience Finances Work experience Finances Finances 3 Social background / parental income Secondary school / HE college attended Social background / parental income Social background / parental income Social background / parental income Social background / parental income Social background / parental income Work experience and finances cover the top two responses from every university. These are very different considerations. Universities would undoubtedly agree that work experience is a valuable addition to a potential student s background but would be less comfortable to acknowledge any financial element to student selection. And yet, the third reason provided by respondents is again an indicator that students at least believe their financial situation plays a large part in getting on to the veterinary medicine course. 64) Do you think vet schools do enough to encourage applications from and to support students less affluent or disadvantaged backgrounds? Do you think vet schools do enough to encourage applications and support students from less affluent or disadvantaged backgrounds? 36.7% 35.4% 28.0% Do not know Respondents could hardly be any less sure about whether vet schools do enough to encourage and support students from less affluent backgrounds. In fact, the highest response is don t know (36.7%). There is, of course, a question of how would I know what the universities do in this area if it doesn t apply to me?

52 65) What do you think universities could do to encourage applications from students with a diverse range of backgrounds? Top three barriers identified at each university Rank Bristol Cambridge Edinburgh Glasgow Liverpool RVC ttingham 1 Advertise and raise awareness about veterinary studies through open days, school lectures, workshops, information packs, summer schools, mentors 2 Provide more financial support/ bursaries/ grants/ scholarships 3 Provide funding for EMS Improve information on loans/ finances/ bursaries/ scholarships Do not increase tuition fees Improve application guidance/ careers advice given at schools Provide funding for EMS Provide more information/ offer more places on the veterinary course in preliminary year Do not increase tuition fees Respondents from each university were consistent in what they thought universities could do to encourage students from a diverse range of backgrounds. In fact, the top two answers were the same at each university. The actions most often quoted were around the vet schools getting more involved with students at school with lectures/ summer schools etc. Of course, this would be advantageous for the students but, when vet school is oversubscribed, the question of what is in it for the universities is an interesting one. Of course, providing increased financial support to students was also often given as a response to what universities could do.

53 Section F AVS 66) Do you ever attend any AVS organised events? Do you ever attend any AVS organised events? 42.8% 57.2% There is a slight increase in the percentage of respondents who have attended AVS organised events. In 2008, 53.3% of those surveyed had and in 2012 it is up to 57.2%. 67) If, which event(s) have you attended? If '', which event(s) have you attended? 10.9% 13.5% 1.0% AVS Sports weekend AVS Congress 26.4% 75.6% College only events N/A Other (please specify) As in previous years, AVS sports weekend is clearly the AVS event that most respondents are familiar with. However, the Association has made significant efforts in recent years to establish itself as a provider of learning opportunities too. It is therefore, extremely positive to note the 10% increase since 2008 in respondents who have attended AVS Congress

54 68) If, what is the main reason you haven t attended? If '', what is the main reason you haven't attended? 14.8% 4.9% 34.1% Cost t interested 35.0% 11.2% Too busy N/A Other (please specify) With responses to previous questions already indicating the time demands of the course and the financial difficulties that respondents often find themselves facing, it shouldn t come as a surprise that Too busy (35.0%) and Cost (34.1%) are by far and away the most frequently proffered reasons for non-attendance at AVS events.