Veterinary Qualifications

Veterinary Surgeons may hold post-graduate qualifications in addition to a degree in veterinary medicine. The links below will direct you to further information regarding specific qualifications.

Veterinary Degree/Membership of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Certificates & Diplomas Awarded by The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Doctorate (PhD)

Master of Science (MSc)

General Practitioner Certificate

Veterinary Degree/Membership of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

All veterinary surgeons wishing to work in the United Kingdom must hold a qualification that is recognised by the veterinary governing body that is the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).  They must also be an active member of the RCVS.  All degree qualifications awarded from the seven UK veterinary universities are accepted by the RCVS along with many qualifications gained from abroad.  Members who hold unrecognised veterinary degrees may take an examination set directly by the RCVS to gain membership.  Members of the RCVS hold the initials MRCVS   (member of the college) or FRCVS (fellow of the college) after their name.

In addition to the veterinary degree, students may opt (at Cambridge it is compulsory) to "intercalate" to achieve a BSc (or MA at Cambridge) to gain a further degree qualification.  This extends the time spent at university from 5 years to 6 years.

To gain a place at university, students are expected to achieve high grades at both 'GCSE' and 'A'/'AS' level examinations.  Competition for places is generally very high despite this due to the relatively low number of universities offering the veterinary degree course.  Nottingham University is due to start taking veterinary students for the first time in Autumn 2007.

Certificates & Diplomas Awarded by The RCVS

The RCVS award two levels of post-graduate qualification.  These are Certificates and Diplomas.  Both types of qualification are awarded in specific subject areas in small and large animal as well as equine species.

The Certificate Examination is awarded to veterinary surgeons who have worked for a minimum of two years within their chosen subject.  They must provide evidence that they have undertaken many hours of further education by means of attending veterinary conferences and courses relevant to their subject.  They must also provide evidence that they have a high level of experience working in their subject for a set period (e.g. 6 months for medical examinations or 18 months for surgical examinations).  Having been given approval to proceed, generally 8 case reports must be written to demonstrate detailed competence.  If these case reports pass, candidates are permitted to enter the written examinations and practical/oral examinations.  Candidates must  pass all components of the examination to be awarded their Certificate.

A list of the Certificates awarded in small animal (or mixed small/large & equine) is shown in the table below:

RCVS Diplomas are generally only achievable by veterinary surgeons who have gained a vast amount of experience in a specialised subject by working in a specialist referral centre.  It is exceedingly rare to find a veterinary surgeon who has been able to gain this level of experience in a given subject whilst working as a General Practitioner.  Diplomas are available in a range of subjects similar to the Certificate level  They are gradually being phased out as many specialists now take the similar European or American Examinations that give the qualifications DipECVS (Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons) or DipACVS (Diploma of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons) in their specialised subject.

Doctorate (PhD)

Some veterinary surgeons opt to perform further studies leading to a PhD qualification.  They are generally achieved by specialised research in a topic of interest over three years.  They are normally undertaken in an academic institution such as an University.

Master of Science (MSc)

An MSc qualification is achieved through study under the direction of a University or College.  It can be on any subject.  The main ones relevant to the small animal veterinary profession are the MSc in Oncology (MSc (Clinical Oncology)) and in Veterinary General Practice (MSc (VetGP)). 

At present there is no RCVS approved qualification in Oncology (Cancers) so many veterinary surgeons with an interest in this area opt to achieve an MSc in the subject.

A small group of veterinary practitioners embarked on the MSc (VetGP).  This was achieved by working on a project to see how feasible it was to set up a Certificate examination suitable for veterinary general practitioners.  It was carried out under the direction of the University of Middlesex.  It is not a qualification of veterinary competence but demonstrates the candidates willingness to take on post graduate study.

General Practitioner Certificate

Improve CPD is one of the main companies providing further education for qualified veterinary surgeons.  They have been running courses for over seven years including modular courses in specific subjects lasting up to two years.  In recent years they set up a range of examinations in conjunction with a new, related college called the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ESVPS).  The aim of the new examinations was to provide quality post-graduate education and permit the opportunity for a qualification at the end of the course.  The qualifications are achievable without the need for excessive time away from the veterinary practice or normal activities.  Candidates must complete the Improve CPD course, submit one case report and then pass a multiple choice examination to achieve the GP Certificate in their chosen subject.  GP Certificates are not currently included in the RCVS register and are not equivalent to Certificates awarded by the RCVS.

The GP Certificates are currently awarded in the following small animal subjects:

Small Animal Medicine (GPCert SAM)

Small Animal Surgery (GPCert SAS)

Feline Practice (GPCert FP)

Small Animal Practice (GPCert SAP)

Business Studies (GPCert BS)