University of Cambridge Confirms Future of Veterinary School After Sector Backlash

The University of Cambridge has confirmed it will continue to offer veterinary education, reversing earlier proposals to close its vet school by 2032. The decision follows strong opposition from across the profession, farming groups and students, highlighting the importance of veterinary training to the UK’s rural economy and animal health sector.

Veterinary education at Cambridge had been under review, with recommendations put forward by the School of the Biological Sciences to wind down the department over the next decade. Staff, along with current and prospective students, were informed of the proposal in December.

However, after what the university described as hearing the “strength of feeling” expressed by stakeholders, the closure will no longer proceed.

Reversal Following Professional and Farming Sector Pressure

The proposed closure prompted swift intervention from leading industry bodies. Both the British Veterinary Association and the National Farmers’ Union wrote to the university urging it to reconsider.

In a joint open letter, coordinated by the BVA and co-signed by 19 other veterinary organisations, the groups warned that shutting the school would have significant consequences for the veterinary workforce and animal welfare standards across the UK.

The UK has faced ongoing concerns about vet shortages in recent years, particularly in rural and agricultural communities. The profession plays a crucial role not only in caring for companion animals but also in safeguarding livestock health, food security and biosecurity standards — issues of particular relevance to regions such as East Anglia, where agriculture remains a central part of the local economy.

Students to Receive Offers as Planned

Following the reversal, the university confirmed it would continue admitting students to the course. Offer letters for those due to begin their studies this autumn are expected to be issued imminently.

Around 65 students graduate from the Cambridge vet school each year, with approximately 160 staff employed at the site. The programme is one of a limited number of veterinary degrees in the UK, alongside institutions such as Bristol, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

In a statement, the university’s general board acknowledged that the School of the Biological Sciences “cannot be solely responsible for the future of veterinary education” at Cambridge.

It added that work would now begin to “develop and evaluate alternative models” for delivering veterinary education in the future, suggesting that structural or funding changes may still lie ahead.

Regulatory Review and Improvement Plan

The uncertainty over the department’s future came amid scrutiny from the profession’s regulator, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. In November last year, Cambridge was given 10 months to meet recommendations for improvement to its veterinary degree programme.

While the details of those recommendations have not been made public in full, such reviews typically assess curriculum standards, staffing levels, clinical facilities and student support.

The university has not indicated that the regulatory process was directly linked to the proposed closure. However, the timing added to concerns within the profession about the long-term stability of the course.

Importance to the UK Veterinary Workforce

The decision to keep the school open is likely to be welcomed across the sector. Veterinary training is resource-intensive, requiring specialist facilities, clinical placements and academic expertise. Losing one of the UK’s established programmes would have reduced the number of domestically trained vets entering the workforce each year.

The issue has particular resonance in the context of post-Brexit workforce pressures, as the UK has historically relied on vets trained in the EU to meet demand. Farming representatives have repeatedly warned that shortages could affect livestock health inspections, export certification and disease prevention measures.

For Cambridgeshire and the wider East of England, the presence of a veterinary school also supports research links with industry and contributes to the region’s life sciences ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

While the immediate threat of closure has been lifted, questions remain about how veterinary education at Cambridge will evolve. The university’s commitment to explore alternative models suggests further reforms may be under consideration.

For now, however, prospective students, staff and the wider veterinary community have secured a reprieve. The continuation of the programme ensures that Cambridge will remain part of the UK’s veterinary training landscape — at least for the foreseeable future.

Graham Greene

“Entrepreneur. Freelance introvert. Creator. Passionate reader. Certified beer ninja. Food nerd.”