University of Surrey veterinary degree receives official accreditation

A Recognition Order for the University of Surrey’s veterinary degree has been approved by Privy Council meaning that, from late next month, the degree will be formally accredited by the RCVS.

The Order was laid before Parliament for approval on Monday 27 January, having previously been approved by the Privy Council on Monday 20 January, and will come into force on 18 February 2020.

From this date, students who graduate with the University of Surrey’s veterinary degree will automatically be able to join the Register of Veterinary Surgeons as Members of the RCVS and to practise veterinary medicine in the UK.

The university’s Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Science (BVMSci Hons) degree will enter the College’s cyclical accreditation process and be subject to annual monitoring for quality assurance.

Accreditation of the degree, had previously been agreed by RCVS Council at its October 2019 meeting. This followed a five-year process during which the RCVS worked with the University of Surrey to ensure that its curriculum and programme met the College’s quality standards, including two interim accreditation visitations in 2017 and 2018 and a final accreditation visit in 2019.

Dr Niall Connell, RCVS President (pictured above right), commented: “We are very glad that the University of Surrey’s veterinary degree has now cleared the last hurdle and that, as of next month, it will join the roster as the UK’s eighth recognised veterinary degree. I commend the hard work that the faculty, students and the university’s clinical partners have put in to develop the course over the past five years and we look forward to continue to work with them to ensure that the high standards are maintained.”

Professor Chris Proudman (pictured above centre), Head of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey, said: “I am delighted that the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine has become the UK’s eighth provider of veterinary education. The support and enthusiasm of our partner practice network has been essential in delivering our vision of competent, confident and compassionate veterinary graduates.”

The full RCVS accreditation standards for veterinary degrees can be found on our website.