EPA 1
Build your diagnostic skills through history-taking and examination across diverse species and clinical scenarios. Learn to create prioritised differential diagnoses that form the foundation of expert practice.
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)
Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are high-level activities which are typically part of everyday veterinary practice. They reflect the types of responsibilities veterinary professionals carry out in practice.
How EPAs work
- EPAs focus on broad areas of veterinary work rather than specific tasks. This makes them applicable across various clinical contexts, species and workplaces.
- They incorporate key professional skills, such as communication, decision-making and organisation.
- EPA descriptions set out the evidence required in the e-portfolio, including activities and reflections.
- Graduates and their VetGDP Advisers should regularly consult the EPA descriptions and success criteria to monitor progress.
- To pass peer review, the e-portfolio must show the graduate can carry out each EPA competently, with minimal support, and demonstrate a broad range of experience.
Choosing EPAs
EPAs should be selected collaboratively by the graduate and their VetGDP Adviser.
Choices should reflect the full scope of the graduate's role - not just routine activities, but less frequent tasks too. This ensures that the graduate can reflect on and learn from all aspects of their experience.
If a peer reviewer believes an important EPA is missing, the graduate may be asked to add it and submit additional evidence.
Full list of EPAs
EPA 2
Build strong diagnostic skills by developing differential diagnoses, planning investigations, and interpreting results across diverse species and clinical contexts.
EPA 3
Learn how to develop effective treatment plans that balance medical, ethical, legal and economic factors. Develop the confidence to make difficult decisions — including when euthanasia may be the most compassionate option.
EPA 4
Learn to recognise and manage veterinary emergencies with confidence. Learn to rapidly assess critical patients, perform vital first aid, work effectively in high-pressure situations, and know when to seek help.
EPA 5
Learn to ask the right clinical questions, find reliable evidence, and apply it confidently in practise. Strengthen your critical thinking and build the lifelong learning skills essential for every vet.
EPA 6
Learn how to perform surgical procedures with confidence — from preparation to recovery. Develop your technical and professional skills across species and case types.
EPA 7
Learn veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia techniques across a range of species and clinical scenarios. Learn to safely induce, monitor, and recover patients while managing complications and working as part of a professional team.
EPA 8
Learn how to create preventive healthcare plans for animals considering species, client needs, and environmental factors. Demonstrate your skills in disease prevention, client education, and public health protection across diverse clinical contexts.
EPA 9
Learn how to carry out post-mortem examinations across species. Develop your skills in macroscopic assessment, tissue sampling, and recognising potential zoonotic diseases.
EPA 10
Learn how to investigate animal disease outbreaks. Build your skills in data gathering, biosecurity, and outbreak prevention across species and settings.
EPA 11
Learn how to assess animal welfare using the five freedoms framework, conduct clinical examinations, and make critical decisions including when euthanasia is appropriate. Develop essential skills for protecting animal wellbeing.
EPA 12
Learn how to use veterinary risk assessments - the standardised framework that transforms complex veterinary decisions into clear, auditable advice. Learn to analyse evidence across species and environments while honing critical thinking skills.
EPA 13
Learn how to conduct veterinary inspections on live animals and animal products leaving Great Britain. Prevent exotic diseases, protect public health, and ensure compliance with export certification standards.
EPA 14
Learn how to carry out veterinary inspections for imported animals at UK border inspection posts - protecting animal health, welfare and national biosecurity.
EPA 15
Develop your skills in oral and dental health. From examination to treatment and prevention, learn how to provide comprehensive care across species.
EPA 16
Contribute to animal health and public health through the development and application of One Health policies.
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