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Careers · Community

School work experience at TWC

A structured week for pupils considering a career with animals — a genuine, behind-the-scenes look at modern veterinary practice, not a week of watching from the corner.

Apply now → About the programme

About the programme

A real week in an independent practice

We offer a small number of structured one-week placements each term to pupils in S4–S6 (ages 15–18) who are thinking about veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, or a career working with animals.

Because we're an independent practice with diagnostics, surgery, dentistry and a full rehabilitation suite all under one roof, pupils see a remarkable breadth in a single week — and because we're a small team, they're treated as a real participant, not a spectator.

Every pupil is given a journal to reflect through the week, and the experience is designed to give honest insight — the science, the communication, the ethics, and the realities of the job.

WhoS4–S6 pupils, ages 15–18
LengthOne structured week
WhereNewcraighall, Edinburgh
PlacesA few each term — apply early
CostFree
On completionReference letter on request

What you'll see

A genuine breadth — in one week

The exact shape of each week flexes around what's happening in the practice, but a typical placement includes:

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Consultations & diagnostics
Shadowing real consultations (with client consent), plus our in-house lab — blood analysers, microscopy and digital X-ray.
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Surgery & dentistry
Theatre observation, sterile technique, instruments — and a go at suturing on a practice pad. The bit most pupils write about.
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Rehab & integrative care
The water treadmill and gait analysis, plus an honest, evidence-based look at acupuncture and herbal medicine.
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Communication & ethics
How vets explain difficult news, the client-care team, and real ethical scenarios — excellent preparation for vet-school interviews.
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Cats & the bigger picture
Our ISFM Gold cat-friendly approach, emergency protocols, and what it really takes to run an independent practice.
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Your next steps
Honest careers guidance — routes in, what vet schools look for, and help shaping what you've learned into a personal statement.

What you'll take away

More than a line on a form

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Real reflection

Your own journal of the week — the raw material for a strong, specific UCAS personal statement.

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Honest insight

The rewarding parts and the hard parts. A clearer sense of whether this is the path for you — and either answer is useful.

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A reference

A reference letter, on request, for every pupil who completes the full week.

For parents, guardians & schools

Happy to work with you

Many placements are arranged with the help of a parent or guardian, or a school work-experience coordinator — and you're very welcome to apply or enquire on a pupil's behalf using the form. Just tell us who you are in the first question.

We're glad to liaise with your school's placement office and complete any paperwork or risk-assessment forms they require. If your school works to set placement weeks, let us know the dates and we'll do our best to accommodate them.

Safeguarding matters to us: pupils are supervised throughout, and if we offer a place we'll confirm the details and any consent forms — including a parent or guardian's sign-off — before the week begins.

SchoolsWe'll liaise with your placement office
PaperworkHappy to complete your forms
SupervisionPupils supervised throughout
ConsentParent/guardian sign-off before the week
Questions?0131 516 2499 · [email protected]

Apply

Apply for a placement

Tell us a little about yourself. There are no right answers — we just want a sense of who you are and why you're interested. We'll be in touch about availability.

✓  Thank you — your application is in. Check your inbox for confirmation, and we'll be in touch about availability.

We use these details only to consider and arrange placements. We don't ask for any medical or health information here — if we offer a place, we'll collect what's needed (with parental consent) before the week starts. See our privacy policy.

Not sure if your pet needs to be seen? Use our clinical triage tool for guidance on urgency — with time-aware, out-of-hours advice. Is my pet okay? A picture is worth a thousand words A short video of your pet at home — how they move, how they hesitate — tells us more than a description. Send it securely before your visit. Send a video or photo