Young Vet Summer Experience

Immersive Veterinary Experiences

• Practise as a small animal vet: conduct examinations and make diagnoses.
• Take on the role of an equine vet and observe therapy techniques on horses.
• Perform surgical procedures on dummy animals to develop dexterity and precision.
• Meet a variety of exotic animals and the specialists who care for them.
• Visit farms and veterinary clinics to explore the different fields within veterinary medicine.

Gain a Qualification and UCAS Points

• Gain practical veterinary experience to strengthen your university application and demonstrate your commitment to the field.
• Have your work assessed to receive a Level 3 Award in Work Experience and Career Planning, worth 8 UCAS points.
• Complete the online assessment after the programme to receive a personalised certificate and industry reference letter.

Meet Senior Vets

• Be mentored by vets from small animal practices, surgery, emergency care, equine, wildlife and farm settings.
• Attend private networking sessions with veterinary professionals who may become valuable future contacts.

Veterinary School Admission Coaching

• Receive comprehensive coaching on how to secure a place at a top veterinary school.
• Master the admissions process including personal statements, interviews and more.

World-Class Universities and World-Class People

• Experience life at University College London (UCL), one of the world’s leading universities.
• Meet ambitious students from around the world and build an international network through shared veterinary experiences.

Design Your Own Summer Experience

• Choose from the following programme formats:
  • First Week Only (taster experience)
  • Two-Week Experience (full programme)
  • Two-Week Premium Experience (both weeks plus enhanced benefits)
• Choose either residential or non-residential attendance.
• Residential students stay at UCL halls in central London, with meals, guardianship and evening/weekend activities provided.
• Optional airport transfers are available at checkout.

Week 1

The World of a Vet

• Explore veterinary career paths in domestic, farm, wildlife and equine care
• Understand differences between clinical practice, fieldwork and academic residencies
• Gain insights from professional vets on the skills, challenges and rewards of the profession

Enter the Small Animal Practice

• Perform clinical examinations, diagnose and treat simulated patients
• Learn first aid, CPR on animal models and develop communication with pet owners
• Receive feedback from veterinary surgeons on ethical decisions and treatment plans

The Farm Vet

• Observe cattle and livestock care, blood sampling, ultrasound and TB testing
• Understand disease prevention, nutrition and the public health role of farm vets
• Work alongside vets advising farmers on welfare and herd management

Become an Equine Specialist

• Learn responsibilities of equine vets and the role of rehabilitation
• Explore treatment methods and work alongside horses and veterinary staff
• Discover pathways in racing, breeding and equine research

Vet School Applications

• Subject choices, personal statements and securing veterinary work experience
• Mock interviews, MMI practice and advice from experienced vets
• Understand course options and challenges faced by veterinary applicants

Week 2

Animal Surgery

• Learn veterinary surgery categories: orthopaedics, soft tissue and neurosurgery
• Diagnose surgical cases, test dexterity and practise simulated procedures
• Perform a basic surgery task using household items under expert guidance

The Wildlife Vet

• Examine duties of wildlife vets in conservation, vaccination and health monitoring
• Engage with exotic animals and discuss ethical issues around captivity
• Visit a wildlife centre and learn about future animal conservation challenges

Digital Health and Veterinary Ethics

• Explore telemedicine in veterinary care and improving client consultations
• Debate ethical issues: euthanasia, declawing, selective breeding and animal cruelty
• Understand the professional code of veterinary ethics and duty of care

A Day in the Life of a Hospital Vet

• Perform ward rounds, case reviews and simulated surgical procedures
• Handle severe rehabilitation cases and charity-funded hospital pressures
• Apply insights to improve veterinary school interview performance

Networking Event with Top Vets

• Network with specialist vets, students and professionals
• Ask questions and receive personalised career guidance

Graduation & Certification

• Celebrate completion of the programme
• Receive an industry reference letter signed by veterinary professionals

2-Week Premium
Overview

• Includes all core programme experiences plus 15 additional hours with veterinary professionals
• Build a professional portfolio and gain UCAS points via a Level 3 Work Experience Award
• Attend a private Gala dinner during the final weekend

Highlights

• Masterclasses on CV writing, LinkedIn, personal branding and Oxbridge/Ivy League applications
• Undertake psychometric profiling to understand strengths and development areas
• Compete in a strategy challenge and network at a central London Gala reception

Dates
27th July 2026

Venues
The programme is based at UCL and the surrounding University of London campus. Certain days take place in other key industry locations in London

Accommodation location
Students live on university campus in central London and are allocated to halls of residence used by University of London students, including those from UCL and LSE. We typically occupy a range of halls, including Garden Halls, College Hall, International Hall and Frances Gardner House.

All rooms are single and en-suite.