Research with purpose: an RCVS perspective
The RCVS Team discuss various topics related to the veterinary profession, including the importance of workforce initiat...
Our research
At the RCVS, research is at the heart of improving veterinary practice, animal welfare, and professional standards across the UK. Our research programme gathers insights from veterinary professionals, practices, the wider animal health community, and members of the public to inform policy, guide education, and support evidence-based decision-making.
Our focus areas
- Professional insights: understanding the experiences and needs of veterinary professionals.
- Practice standards: research to improve practice management, clinical outcomes, and animal welfare.
- Policy and innovation: providing evidence to guide veterinary regulation and professional development.
Our research initiatives in action
- Exit Survey 2022–2024 - a major workforce study exploring why vet surgeons and vet nurses leave the UK profession, and their future plans.
- The 2024 Survey of the Veterinary Profession and the 2024 Survey of the Veterinary Nursing Profession - the largest and most comprehensive studies of the UK veterinary sector, providing evidence to guide strategy and policy for years to come.
- International Postgraduate Veterinary Education Symposium (Nov 2025) - a global community launched by the RCVS to promote research, scholarship, and innovation in postgraduate veterinary education.
New workforce model for veterinary professionals
The RCVS has worked with the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) to develop a new workforce model for the veterinary professions, using current data to make projections of workforce numbers in relation to demands for veterinary services to 2035.
Download the report
Get involved
You could help shape the future of the veterinary profession by sharing your insights through surveys, interviews, or pilot projects.
If you’re interested in a particular project or would like to know more about RCVS research in general, please contact the Research Team at [email protected].
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