Hartpury College will give aspiring vets the chance to study at one of the world's leading veterinary universities after signing a new agreement.

The new partnership with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London means that college students on the animal science programme at Hartpury will have the guarantee of an interview, subject to meeting entry criteria, at the RVC.

A group of students alongside Hartpury's assistant principal Claire Whitworth, head of animal department, Grace Watkins and Nichola Mayo - their tutor - visited the RVC for a personal tour of their facilities before making the agreement official.

Jon Parry, the RVC's deputy director of access, head of widening participation and community engagement, who has been instrumental in supporting the agreement, was on hand to sign and confirm the agreement.

Claire Whitworth said: "Hartpury is extremely grateful to the RVC for the opportunities that this prestigious agreement has provided in supporting students with career goals in veterinary medicine.

"We have to give great thanks to Jon Parry who has been instrumental in facilitating the agreement signed today.

"We're already looking forward to welcoming him to Hartpury in the near future to support us with a range of activities."

The staff and students were treated to a full tour that included the Animal Specimen Museum as well as the large animal lecture theatres and dissection laboratories.

They also got to hear first-hand from the RVC's staff on the opportunities available through studying with them and the study support on offer to them.

Grace Watkins added: "Today's experience has been of great benefit to Hartpury's first group of animal science students, providing an invaluable insight into studying at one of the world's leading veterinary universities."

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Picture: Attached: Hartpury College animal science students with assistant principal Claire Whitworth (centre left), receiving the formal RVC-Hartpury agreement from RVC deputy director of access and head of widening participation and community engagement Jon Parry (centre right), head of department Grace Watkins (left of Claire Whitworth) and the students' personal tutor Nichola Mayo (far right)