Aberystwyth University has released the first pictures from inside Wales’ only School of Veterinary Science which opened in September.

The first cohort of students at the new Penglais centre are benefitting from the more than £2 million investment in new teaching facilities, which includes brand new anatomy and study facilities.

They will spend the first two years at Aberystwyth University followed by three years’ study at the Royal Veterinary College’s Hawkshead Campus in Hertfordshire.

The programme covers the full range of animals, from domestic pets to farm animals, in common with all other veterinary programmes and also offers study in Welsh.

Professor Darrell Abernethy, Head of Aberystwyth University’s School of Veterinary Science said: “The commitment of staff and students in our first year has been excellent. Opening the School and the new facilities has been incredibly exciting for all of us. The efforts and support of so many people and organisations has helped realise this – thanks ever so much to them all.

“After so much hard work by staff at both Aberystwyth University and the Royal Veterinary College in preparing for the start of the course, it’s a great feeling for us all to see our students are now here studying. They are benefitting enormously from the skills of the new staff team and the significant investment in the new facilities.” The new School builds on over 100 years of animal health teaching and research at Aberystwyth University, and more recently, the successful introduction of a BSc Veterinary Biosciences degree in September 2015.

As well as the new Vet School facilities on the University’s Penglais campus, the students will also study in the excellent existing laboratory facilities enjoyed by IBERS students and gain valuable experience on the University’s dairy and sheep farms, and at the Lluest Equine Centre.