The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, founded in 1823, is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than 800 staff.

We have more than 800 students on campus, as well as more than 700 students online, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos.

See what our students & graduates think of their programmes:

We are ranked 15th in the world, according to the latest QS World University Rankings 2023. We were ranked 6th in the world for Veterinary Science in the QS World University Rankings by subject 2022 and in the most recent Research Excellence Framework were ranked first in the UK for research power in agriculture, veterinary and food science (REF 2021).

By joining us for your postgraduate studies, you will become part of a global network of researchers, practitioners, students and alumni who continue the School’s tradition of pushing animal science to new frontiers.

Breadth and scope

We represent the largest concentration of animal science related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge.

The School comprises:

• The Roslin Institute
• The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security
• The Roslin Innovation Centre
• The Hospital for Small Animals
• Equine Veterinary Services
• Farm Animal Services
• Easter Bush Pathology
• The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education

Collaboration and interdisciplinarity

We interact closely with colleagues in Edinburgh Medical School, as well as with the Schools of Biological Sciences and Geosciences. We also work in partnership with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) providing excellent additional opportunities for collaboration across land-based industries and the farming sector.

Our interdisciplinary approach provides our postgraduate students with access to a vast array of expertise and technologies in addition to opportunities for interdisciplinary research and learning

Our community

We aim to foster a close community of postgraduate students. Our on-campus students are members of the Easter Bush Postgraduate Student Society, which brings together postgraduate researchers, taught masters students and DVetMed scholars for social and academic activities. If you study on campus as a masters student, you will work closely with your classmates through tutorials, lectures and seminars, becoming part of a close-knit group over the duration of your programme.

However, distance is no barrier if you choose to study online. Our online learning postgraduates are a diverse group of students from all over the world, united by their academic interests. Using our award-winning interactive learning environments, our online students and tutors maintain a supportive virtual community that ensures you get the best from your studies. If you can’t attend your graduation ceremony in person you can even enjoy a virtual graduation at the same time.

Taught postgraduate programmes | The University of Edinburgh