RCVS Academy update - February 2025

Celebrating Digital Learning Day at the RCVS Academy

This February, we recognised International Digital Learning Day, celebrated annually on 13 February. The day highlights the transformative impact of technology on education and its role in enhancing learning experiences. As we look to the future, digital learning continues to reshape traditional approaches to teaching, offering greater accessibility and flexibility for learners.

The RCVS Academy, our dedicated digital learning platform for veterinary professionals, will celebrate its third anniversary this summer. We are proud of the Academy’s role in supporting veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in meeting professional standards by offering up-to-date, relevant, and high-quality learning opportunities.

The Academy offers a wide range of courses and resources, leveraging expertise from across the College. For new graduates, we provide courses such as ‘VetGDP graduate induction’ and ‘RVN starting out.’ Student veterinary nurses can benefit from our ‘SVN: RCVS & me’ course and veterinary nurses returning to practice after a break can benefit from ‘Nurse return.’ Courses like ‘Civility fundamentals’ and ‘Unconscious bias’ promote wellbeing, while ‘Client confidentiality’, ‘Informed consent,’ and ‘Communicating cost’ support effective client engagement. These are just some examples of the Academy's interactive content, designed to help veterinary professionals enhance their skills and knowledge in response to the increasing demand for self-directed, on-demand education.

The Academy also has a ‘CPD: Record and reflect’ course which can help you to understand and effectively apply the RCVS CPD requirements to support your professional development. If you have not yet explored the Academy or are unsure how to access it, we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions below to help you get started:

Who has access to the Academy?

Currently, all veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, student veterinary nurses and qualified veterinary professionals moving from overseas to the UK can access the Academy.

How do I create an account?

As a registered veterinary nurse or surgeon, you already have an account for the Academy. Simply log in using your ‘MyAccount details’. If you have forgotten your password, you can select the ‘forgot my password’ button to reset your login details.

How many courses are on the Academy?

The Academy currently offers a total of 32 courses, with new content regularly added throughout the year. While a small number of courses are specifically tailored for bespoke roles such as examiners and assessors, the majority are open to all veterinary professionals.

Is there something for me on the Academy?

There is something for everybody on the Academy, whether you are just starting your veterinary career or looking to develop your skills further, the Academy offers a wealth of resources to support your professional growth. Our courses are organised into the following categories:

• Students and Early Career
• Career Support
• Culture and Wellbeing
• Leadership and Coaching
• Client Engagement
• Supervisors, Assessors and Examiners

If there are any courses that you’d like to see on the Academy, we always welcome feedback at [email protected].

Do the courses count towards my CPD?

Yes, you will find a link to the 1CPD app in the right-hand side navigation menu. A 1CPD link is also available at the end of each course and module to help you directly record and reflect on your learning.

Do I need to complete the full course?

Unless your course is mandatory as part of your role, most of our courses offer bite-sized learning that you can complete when you wish. Some courses are divided into modules to make them easier to navigate and help you choose the most relevant content. Any time spent on our courses can be logged towards your annual CPD requirements.

Do I have to pay for Academy courses?

RCVS Academy courses are free with the exception of our bespoke course for Riding Establishment Inspectors.

Do you have some learner feedback?

The Academy always welcomes feedback from our learners. Here is some feedback from our ‘Civility fundamentals’ course:

"I found the course really informative; I felt like I already had an understanding of civility but now appreciate it has a much wider context than I had realised, I also came away with some helpful tools and techniques to hopefully use in real life scenarios."

How do I find the Academy?

Simply click here: https://academy.rcvs.org.uk/

If you have any questions about the RCVS Academy, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].