Students undergo their laboratories induction, working in groups from their new student households.

The new Harper and Keele Veterinary School has welcomed its first cohort of 120 students.

The veterinary students have now made their homes at Keele University and Harper Adams University, the partners behind the new Harper and Keele Vet School, for a five-year programme of study toward a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVetMS) qualification.

Head of School, Professor Matt Jones, said: “It’s really exciting to be able to welcome our first cohort of students. A phenomenal amount of work, by many talented people has got us to this point. It’s a unique model of delivery that will allow students to benefit from the combined excellence in teaching, research and the wider vocational experiences of two great universities. We’ve embraced a range of novel approaches to equip the students to be lifelong learners from the outset.

“We’re confident that the diverse group of students joining us have already demonstrated that they will rise to the challenges and grasp the opportunity that they will face to be true innovators. We’ll work together with them to create a great vet school to complement those already established.

Professor Jonathan Wastling, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences who led the project for Keele University said: “It’s tremendously exciting as we come to the end of all our planning to see the first cohort of veterinary students embarking on their journey into the world of veterinary medicine. We wish this cohort and all those that follow in the future the very best.”

Harper Adams project lead and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Mills, added: “The journey to get us to this point has focussed entirely on planning and project management by a talented group of staff at two universities. From now, the focus switches entirely to our inaugural cohort of veterinary medicine students. In the current climate, this is a rare moment of excitement and optimism.”

The new veterinary students have travelled from all corners of the UK and the Republic of Ireland to join the programme, which will be delivered across both university sites to ensure the graduating vets have fully-rounded skills and experiences to enable them to practice with excellence from day one.