Aspiring vet makes appeal for second degree funding

Hannah McFall, 21, has just completed a Bio-veterinary Science degree at the University of the West of England’s Hartpury College in Gloucester.

However, the further level of study required to fully qualify for her chosen career would cost a staggering £28,000 a year if she were to continue studying in the UK.

“I’ve always wanted to be a vet ever since I was little, but I knew when I was still at school that I’d would have to go to England or Scotland to study it as there are no veterinary medicine courses in Northern Ireland,” said Hannah.

“In June of this year, I was awarded with a Bachelor of Science in Bio-veterinary Science with First Class Honours, but in order to become a vet I must undertake a second degree. As I graduate I would be eligible for a maintenance loan but I would still face full price tuition fees, which are almost £28,000 per annum. I could not possibly provide this ludicrous amount of money and so I decided to seek alternative options.”

Faced with the prospect of having to undertake further study outside of the UK, Hannah was accepted onto the four year post-graduate veterinary medicine programme at the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Slovakia.

“The current fees are 7,500 Euros per year, which is considerably less than the UK fees. However, I am still in need of funding to cover these costs as the course starts this September,” she added.

“I am seeking funding opportunities from charitable organisations, individuals, animal-related companies and any other potential sponsors.

“One organisation I came across was Digglers Charitable Trust, which is an animal welfare charity that also offers to help second-degree veterinary students. What they do is accept sponsorship on your behalf to ensure that it goes directly to the university.

“I received an ID card and letter from Digglers this week confirming that any monies raised will be forwarded to the bursar of the Veterinary College in Košice.

“The letter states that cheques can be used to provide sponsorship and that they should be made payable to ‘The Digglers Charitable Trust’ and sent to 149 Hyde Road, Denton, Manchester, M34 3DW. It’s really important that potential sponsors write my name on the back of the cheque so that the charity knows who it is for.”

Sponsors can also donate through Hannah’s website at vetinthemaking.weebly.com or through the Digglers website www.thedigglers.co.uk/bursary_index.php, but it is again important to include her name.

“Prospective veterinary students have been discouraged by the extensive fees, but to become a vet is my dream and I will try everything I can to achieve it,” Hannah said.