The British Veterinary Association has expressed concern following the announcement by the University of Surrey that it is launching a new school of veterinary medicine, with the first cohort of students due to start in 2014.

Peter Jones, President of the BVA, said: "Reports of a new veterinary course at the University of Surrey will be of significant concern to our members, particularly veterinary students and recent graduates.

"We are already seeing an increasing intake of students at the existing veterinary schools. Another veterinary course will place even more graduates onto the veterinary employment market putting significant pressure on the employment prospects of individual graduates.

"It could also impact on the ability of the profession to accommodate the increasing demand for extra mural studies (EMS) placements and the ability of all schools to continue to provide high quality education and high quality teaching staff.

"The end result could be an oversupply of highly qualified veterinary surgeons carrying significant amounts of debt unable to find employment within the profession.

"New graduates are already reporting difficulties in finding their first jobs with some saying that it takes 6 to 9 months.

"Last year the veterinary profession was removed from the Home Office's shortage occupation list because it became apparent that we currently have sufficient veterinary surgeons to meet demand. Another veterinary course could tip the balance too far the other way.

"The news from the University of Surrey also illustrates that a greater oversight of the number of veterinary graduates coming onto the market is badly needed to properly plan future requirements of the veterinary profession in the UK."

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