Summer Schools
Vet Summer School
Take your first steps into a veterinary career on our vet summer school.
Why Choose Our Vet Summer School?
- Incredible summer school for budding vets in London
- Designed for ages 15-18
- Work alongside top vets
- Visit a working farm, equine centre, and tropical animal facility
- Consult with real pet owners and practise veterinary surgery
Students from
countries around the world
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Experience a veterinary career
Veterinary Summer Course with Dukes Plus
Ambitious about becoming a vet? Join us this summer on our vet summer school to experience this fascinating career.
You’ll immerse yourself in the life of a professional vet – from consulting with real pet owners to visiting a working farm and equine centre. With the chance to carry out practical surgical tasks like suturing and dental work, you’ll master the key skills used by veterinary practioners every day.
We offer 25+ hours of academic teaching per week. And by working alongside and networking with top vets from a range of specialisms, you’ll receive a tour-de-force education in veterinary science and how to break into the industry.
Discover more about our vet summer school and book your place today.
Our immersive career experiences are delivered by InvestIN, a provider of life-changing career experiences since 2012.
Our Vet Summer School
The Vet Summer Experience is a unique adventure into the world of veterinary medicine, designed for ambitious students aged 15–18.
During the vet summer school, you will:
– Visit a farm, equine centre, and veterinary hospital
– Perform clinical examinations, diagnose and treat simulated patients
– Practise simulated animal surgery under the guidance of experienced vets
– Learn first aid and CPR on animal models
You’ll be taught by experienced vets and receive career coaching on university choices and ways into the industry.
Hosted at the UCL campus in London, you’ll also experience what it’s like to study at one of the world’s top universities.
Book now to take your first steps to a career as a vet.
Vet Summer Experience
- Price
- Duration
- Location
- Ages
- Start Dates
- From £2,290
- 1-2 Weeks
- UCL, London
- 15-18
- 19 July 2027
View Brochure
To learn more about the vet summer school, view the course brochure.
24/7 Safeguarding
And pastoral support, including a nominated Pastoral & Activity Leader, and a dedicated house parent for residential students.
Coaching from professionals
Minimum of 25 hours of contact time with professionals per week – with coaching and networking opportunities.
Exclusive site visits
Excursions to up to 5 professional workplaces and venues, so you can witness firsthand what a job in your industry looks like.
Career simulations
Immersive, hands-on workshops and activities which replicate the experience of working at the cutting edge of your chosen career.
Why Book Our Vet Summer School?
Work alongside top vets and learn from their professional experience. With 25+ hours of academic instruction per week, you’ll receive a crash course in the fundamentals of veterinary practice – from consultations to diagnosis and surgery. There is also the opportunity to meet with vets from a range of specialisms who have studied at some of the world’s most elite veterinary schools.
Experience life as a working vet on exclusive professional site visits. On our vet summer school, you’ll visit a working farm, equine centre, and tropical animal facility as you understand how vets interact with a wide array of animals.
Our programme offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn the key skills which leading vets use every day. You’ll work with real small animals and their owners to understand how to hold a consultation, and perform practical surgical tasks including suturing, dental work, and more.
On the vet summer school, participants have the opportunity to work towards a recognised Level 3 Qualification in work experience, which is worth 8 UCAS points. Boost your university application and receive a formal certificate of achievement.
Testimonials
Our Vet Summer School Campus
Learn more about where you’ll be studying on our vet summer school.
Ages 15-18
University College London
At University College London (UCL), students aged 15-18 discover thrilling career possibilities. All our immersive career experiences take place at UCL, where students can experience living and studying at one of the leading universities in the world. With the thriving professional culture of London on your doorstep and exclusive site visits to some of London’s top firms, it’s the ideal place to launch your career.
- Price
- Duration
- Start Dates
- From £2,290
- 1-2 weeks
- 5, 19 Jul & 16 Aug 2027
Socials and Special Events
Beyond the Timetable
Discover more of London
At the weekend, residential students have the chance to get out and explore. Activities include a guided London walking tour and a sports day in one of central London’s parks.
Available to residential students only.
Celebrate what you have achieved
The programme concludes with a graduation ceremony recognising students’ work and achievements during their time at summer school – a chance to reflect on the experience and celebrate together.
An exclusive evening of professional connection
Reserved exclusively for students on the 2-Week Enhanced programme, the gala dinner is one of the most memorable occasions of the summer. Held on the penultimate evening, it brings students together for a formal dinner and a special networking event with professionals.
It offers valuable exposure to professional conversations and networks at an early stage – as well as a memorable way to mark the end of the programme.
Available to 2-Week Enhanced students only.
Meet Your Tutors
Our Veterinary Professionals
Anna is the Veterinary Lead for Research, Standards and Communication at Blue Cross for Pets, and the Veterinary Communications Officer at PDSA. She completed her training at the Royal Veterinary College of London following her BSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in Bristol.
- Dr Anna Ewers-Clark
- Blue Cross for Pets
- Veterinary Lead for Research, Standards and Communication
Natalia is a Veterinary Surgeon. She qualified from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in 2016, having spent 15 months at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain. Since then, she has worked in busy small animal practices in England, before completing a rotating internship in 2019. She is currently is working towards a Certificate in Small Animal Ophthalmology.
- Dr Natalia Hebda
- Veterinary Surgeon
Gabrielle is a veterinary surgeon and infectious disease epidemiologist working in One Health. She has experience working with UK Parliament, World Health Organisation and academia. Expertise in global health and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, food systems, animal welfare and working animals alongside health governance.
- Dr Gabrielle Laing
- One Health
- Veterinary Surgeon and Infectious Disease Epidemiologist
Emily is a Veterinary Surgeon at Westpoint Farm Vets. She graduated from the University of Surrey where she worked with the Association of Veterinary Students and was president of the Surrey Veterinary Society and received Society Stripes in 2019 for her outstanding contributions.
- Emily Collins-Wingate
- Westpoint Farm Vets
- Veterinary Surgeon
Matthew is a veterinary surgeon with a clinical interest in orthopaedics, neurology, and population medicine. He qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2018 and hold licences with the British and Swedish colleges of veterinary surgeons. He is currently a rotating intern at the University of Liverpool. He also has experience of technology innovation, public policy, and economics.
- Matthew Ashford
- Veterinary Surgeon
Rebecca is a Chief Veterinary Officer at This Dog is Unique, and a Locum Veterinary Surgeon. She is the founder of Become a Vet, a service offering personalised application support for prospective veterinary medicine students.
- Rebecca Massie
- This Dog is Unique
- Chief Veterinary Officer
Tutors may change from year to year.
Course Content
What Will I Learn?
On our vet summer school, you’ll receive an incredible induction into the world of veterinary medicine and surgery – through simulated operations, a visit to a working farm, and coaching from seasoned vets.
Learn how vets examine, diagnose, and treat animal patients through practical clinical scenarios. You’ll develop skills in first aid, CPR, treatment planning, and communicating clearly with pet owners.
Explore veterinary care in farm and equine settings, from disease prevention and herd health to rehabilitation and specialist treatment. You’ll see how vets work alongside farmers, horse owners, and other professionals to protect animal welfare.
Discover the role vets play in wildlife health, conservation, vaccination, and population management. You’ll engage with exotic animals, explore ethical questions around captivity, and consider future challenges in conservation medicine.
Learn how vets assess surgical cases, plan procedures, and manage patients through treatment and recovery. You’ll take part in simulated ward rounds, case reviews, and practical surgical exercises designed to build clinical confidence.
Understand the different routes into veterinary medicine and what makes a strong application. You’ll receive guidance on subject choices, work experience, interviews, and personal statements. You will also meet veterinary professionals and get first-hand insight into different career paths in the industry.
Get started
Secure Your Place
Check the availability for the next start date and secure your career experience.
Credentials for your applications
A Recognised Certificate of Achievement
After graduation, every student can earn a personalised digital certificate recognising their achievement to use on their UCAS applications.
Students who attend a 2-Week Summer Experience will also receive an industry reference letter, signed by professionals, outlining what they have achieved over the course of the programme.
We can also be included in the UCAS extra activities section, and we are an approved provider for the Gold Residential section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Earn UCAS Points for Your University Application
Students who complete the 2-Week or 2-Week Enhanced programme will have the chance to earn a Level 3 Work Experience qualification, worth 8 UCAS points – a boost for UK university applications.
FAQs
Students will gain hands-on experience by consulting with real pet owners, practising surgical techniques such as suturing, and visiting a working farm, equine centre, and tropical animal facility.
Yes! On our vet summer school, students will receive one-on-one mentorship, insider application advice, and guidance on making their veterinary school applications stand out.
Yes, we have residential options available for our vet summer school. This includes:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Guardianship
- 24/7 safeguarding
- Social activities in evenings and excursions at weekends
Please select this option when booking.
Simply select your chosen start date, duration, and other add-ons on this page, and click ‘Book Now’. You will be taken to a booking form, where you will need to fill out both the parent’s and student’s details. The process takes just a few minutes.
To secure your place, you can choose to make the whole payment upfront, or to pay a deposit of £950, with the remainder of the payment taken nearer the programme start date.
Of course. If you have any questions, simply fill out this form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Absolutely. Around half of our students are from the UK or US, with the other half from other countries around the world. We have welcomed students from 100 nationalities and are proud to have a global student community.
Yes. About half of our students attend as day students. The programme content is exactly the same for day and residential attendees.
We do not have an application process. Bookings for our vet summer school are taken on a first come, first served basis.
No. We do not expect any of our students to have any prior knowledge, simply a keen interest in veterinary medicine!
We introduce each topic at an introductory level, with guidance from our industry professionals. There are also opportunities to work towards more advanced concepts where students feel comfortable.
Have a Question?
Fill out the form and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Make the most of your evenings
Residential students can enjoy a varied programme of evening activities designed to bring the group together in a relaxed setting. Depending on the programme, activities may include movie nights, a board game café, sports and games, wellness evenings, quizzes, scavenger hunts, and craft nights.
Available to residential students only.