Pioneering RCVS EMS booking database now open for student registrations

The RCVS has today [Thursday 13 March 2025] opened its new extra-mural studies (EMS) booking database to registrations, allowing veterinary students to search for, and book, placements that are right for them and their circumstances.

The RCVS EMS National Booking Database is free to use for all veterinary students, UK vet schools and EMS providers. Several hundred clinical and non-clinical placement providers have been registering on the database over the last few months, with many more interesting in joining. Each provider on the database has a profile page setting out the type of EMS they offer, geographical location, the facilities they have on-site, the kind of species they treat, accessibility information, dates of placements available and much more.

The database will serve to increase the accessibility of EMS placements by allowing students to search the database to find the placement providers that best meet their learning needs and circumstances, and by allowing them to communicate directly with placement providers via the platform. To assist with finding the best placement for them, and in line with the RCVS EMS policy, the database will allow students to share their EMS learning plans with potential providers.

Furthermore, the database will also automatically notify the relevant vet school once a student has found and booked a placement, allowing for a faster and smoother placement approval process for the vet schools.

Professor Tim Parkin (pictured), RCVS Junior Vice-President and Chair of the College’s Education Committee, as well as Head of Bristol Vet School, commented: “Feedback has consistently shown that EMS placements are seen as an incredibly valuable part of the veterinary degree programme, as they lead to students getting that real-life, hands-on experience of working with animals and within veterinary workplaces, as well as forging connections with established members of the profession.

“However, feedback has also shown that there are challenges with EMS, particularly around the accessibility of placements for some students, and the considerable amount of time and effort it can take for them to find the placement that suits their needs.

“The RCVS database was developed as a result of this specific feedback and will mean, for example, that students who may not have access to a car will be able to easily find and arrange placements near public transport hubs, or that students with other work or family commitments will be able to arrange flexible or part-time placements that work around their responsibilities.”

“We would urge all UK vet students to get signed up to the platform as soon as possible and we would like to thank the hundreds of placement providers that have already added their details to the database, as well as veterinary organisations and companies which have been encouraging their members to engage with uploading their details.”

Charlotte Jones, President of the Association of Veterinary Students for UK and Ireland and a student at Bristol, added: “We are delighted that this database is now being opened for all vet students in the UK to access. We look forward to seeing how this helps support students in finding and accessing placements which fit their individual learning needs, as well as any preferences around accessibility, facilities available and flexible date options - all of which are important to students.

"The new database will allow students and placement providers to connect more easily and create a more tailored and supportive experience for all."

To start using the EMS National Database, veterinary students must first create a ‘UK student’ account with the RCVS via the RCVS MyAccount area.

Once they have signed up to this and received their login credentials, they can then access the RCVS EMS National Booking Database. 

Students or EMS placement providers who have any queries about the database or EMS in general can contact the RCVS Education Department directly on [email protected]