Cambridge reverses course and keeps vet school open

The University of Cambridge has decided to keep its veterinary medicine course open, reversing a December 11, 2025 recommendation from the School of the Biological Sciences to phase out veterinary education after the final cohort graduated in 2032. At a February 23, 2026 meeting, the university’s General Board agreed to continue admitting students, with offer letters for autumn 2026 entry set to go out immediately, while also calling for new leadership, further external review, and operational changes to clinical services. The Department of Veterinary Medicine said it would now work with the university on alternative models for a sustainable future, and the British Veterinary Association welcomed the decision after months of coordinated opposition from across the profession. (admin.cam.ac.uk)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this preserves one of the UK’s limited training pathways at a time when workforce resilience, food security, public health, and research capacity remain central concerns. Cambridge’s future had become a national issue not just because of the proposed loss of student places, but because the school has also been working through accreditation challenges: the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons extended the degree’s conditional accreditation in November 2025 to allow more time for improvements, and the General Board’s latest decision makes clear that continuation will be tied to reform, accountability, and a more sustainable operating model. (bva.co.uk)

What to watch: Next comes the harder part: whether Cambridge can deliver the leadership, cost savings, and accreditation progress needed to secure a stable long-term future for the vet school. (admin.cam.ac.uk)