Research phase of gateways project reports

Despite veterinary schools providing plenty of information, teachers and careers advisors perceive they have nothing to hand to students interested in the profession, according to research carried out on behalf of the Gateways to the Professions project.

The Gateways project is a collaboration between the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), six out of seven of the UK veterinary schools and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. It is part-funded by the Department for Education and Skills.

The project’s objective is to develop communications materials that help break down barriers preventing students from a broader ethnic, social and economic base applying to veterinary school. With women accounting for over 78% of the 2006 veterinary school intake, the gender balance also needs to be addressed.

The first phase of activity was to commission independent research to assess perceptions of veterinary careers from school students and their teachers and careers advisors, and the veterinary schools themselves.

The research confirmed some common misconceptions that exist among school students and their careers advisors, for example, becoming a vet is perceived to be “very hard” and there is a belief that applicants must have three A-grades at A-Level. There was also a lack of understanding about work-experience requirements.

It revealed that although younger school students often harboured a desire to work with animals, this generally tailed off with age. Parental pressure to choose a career in medicine often played a part in this.

That the school curriculum does not allow for much teaching of animal science was also cited as a potential reason for the lack of sustained interest in animals as students grow older.

“Many of the findings confirmed what we suspected, but it is extremely useful to have this independently corroborated,” according to Professor Philip Duffus from the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Science, chairman of the Gateways Steering Group. “The research forms a solid foundation for the next phase: to develop materials to help change people’s attitudes about a veterinary career.”

The research findings will inform a workshop on 28 June that brings together careers advisors, veterinary students and representatives of the profession, and those involved with professions facing similar challenges.