RCVS seeks panel members for reviewing and accrediting veterinary degrees

In November 2021, following consultation with the profession, RCVS Council approved a new set of Accreditation Standards which represented significant reforms to our degree accreditation, and are now informed with a more outcomes-based focus.

We are currently seeking individuals to join our Accreditation Panels, which review evidence submitted to demonstrate that veterinary degree programmes meet the new standards during accreditation events. We welcome professionals from across the veterinary sector, as well as related fields, who are interested in contributing to this important process.

Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS Director of Education, said: “It is important that we are assessing veterinary degrees from as many angles and viewpoints as possible to allow for greater insight into each degree programme, to recognise best practice and where improvements may need to be made.

“Accordingly, we are looking not only for veterinary educationalists on our panels, but also veterinary surgeons in clinical practice, veterinary students, and new graduates, who can bring a range of perspectives contributing to a robust process.”

Training will be provided for all appointed members, but if you have previous experience or knowledge of veterinary education and understand the principles of quality assurance within an educational context, as well as have a passion for driving educational standards forward then we would like to hear from you.

It is likely that panel members would be called upon to take part in accreditation events on an annual or biannual basis. The accreditation visit to the school itself would last a maximum of one week, however members would also be involved in considering evidence prior to the visit, and meetings will be arranged at the convenience of the panel. A full honorarium will be paid for all panel members, as well as expenses covered.  

Those who want to register an interest in becoming an accreditation panel member can email [email protected] for details. A full job specification for the role will be published in due course on the RCVS recruitment website.