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Information for graduates

Receiving guidance early in your career is essential for building a successful and rewarding professional path. When you join a VetGDP-approved workplace, you'll have access to a qualified adviser who will support you, enhance your confidence and skills, and help your career thrive.

A young male veterinarian is seated at a microscope.

On this page:

Who can offer the VetGDP?

Only VetGDP-approved practices and workplaces can offer the VetGDP. 

To qualify, a practice must:

  • Have at least one trained VetGDP Adviser on the staff, and
  • Submit the necessary declarations to the RCVS.  

If a practice is not VetGDP-approved, you won't be able to work there. However, you can ask if they are planning to obtain approval before you start your job.

How to identify a VetGDP-approved practice or workplace

The VetGDP logo

  • Look for the VetGDP logo (above) or mentions of their accreditation on their website and materials. 
  • If you don't see these, the practice might still be approved but not advertised it yet. It's best to confirm with the practice manager.
  • You can also use our Find a Vet tool to locate VetGDP-approved practices nationwide.

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs)

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) form the framework of the VetGDP. They are tasks relevant to your role that you should be able to perform confidently and independently by the end of the programme. 

Key aspects of EPAs

  • You will work with your VetGDP Adviser to choose the EPAs that best reflect the full scope of your role.
  • Using the VetGDP e-portfolio, your adviser will support you in developing your professional skills as you work through each EPA.
  • Before submitting your e-portfolio, you must demonstrate that you can all meet the description and success criteria of your selected EPAs independently and effectively.

Learn more about EPAs. 

VetGDP duration and work setting

The VetGDP is designed to be flexible, allowing participants to select EPAs that suit their roles and work environments, which can vary widely. For example, vets in mixed practices may focus on different EPAs to those in government roles.

Thanks to this flexibility, the programme can typically be completed in 12 to 18 months, regardless of the work setting.

If you need additional time to complete the programme, please email the VetGDP team at [email protected] to discuss.

The role of the VetGDP Adviser

The VetGDP Adviser provides you with one-to-one support throughout the programme. This includes guidance discussions, observations and feedback. They will also conduct a monthly progress review with you.

To become a VetGDP Adviser, a vet must have been on the RCVS Register for at least three years and completed the required training. Advisers must also complete a refresher course every five years to maintain their status.

Working with your VetGDP Adviser 

Take the lead in your progress

As a veterinary professional, you're responsible for your own progress in the VetGDP. You will take the lead, requesting the support you need from your adviser. Together, you will tailor the programme to your needs. You will also meet regularly for reflection, goal-setting and feedback. 

Regular meetings for reflection and growth

You and your VetGDP Adviser will meet regularly to:

  • Reflect on your progress
  • Set new goals
  • Share feedback
Submission and sign-off

Once you and your adviser agree you’re ready, you will submit your e-portfolio for peer review and final sign-off by the RCVS.

Enrolling in the VetGDP 

When to notify

You must inform the RCVS that you are ready to start the VetGDP as soon as you begin your new role - or request an exemption if applicable. 

How to notify us or request an extension

To notify us or request an exemption, you need to make the VetGDP statement:

  1. Create or log into your My Account.
  2. Select the VetGDP statement that best fits your situation - this step is required even if you're seeking an exemption. 
  3. If you haven't already, add a relationship with your practice in your My Account - watch this video to find out how. 
Next steps

After registering, you'll meet with your VetGDP Adviser to discuss the support you need. 

Find out more about VetGDP declarations and exemptions. 

Logging into the VetGDP e-portfolio  

  • To access your personal VetGDP e-portfolio, log in to your 1CPD account and click the gold VetGDP button.
  • Use the same login details as for your RCVS My Account.
First-time login

Select your place of work and your VetGDP Adviser from the dropdown menu.

If your adviser isn't listed:

  • Check your My Account to confirm your practice relationships are correct.
  • If the problem persists, ask your VetGDP Adviser to confirm they have completed the adviser declaration in their My Account
  • Also ensure your practice has made their VetGDP declaration. 

The VetGDP and Continuing Professional Development 

The VetGDP counts for 52.5 hours of your continuing professional development (CPD) requirement.

This covers your first 18 months of CPD, and you can log these hours across multiple years during that period.

Video: VetGDP information for graduates

Watch this short animation for a clear overview of what to expect from the VetGDP. Below it, there's a handy step-by-step checklist to help you get started. 

Video transcript

The Veterinary Graduate Development Programme – VetGDP – is designed to help you develop your professional and clinical capabilities by providing you with dedicated, one-to-one support in the workplace. 

When you start your first role as a qualified vet, you’ll enrol onto the VetGDP.

There will be a VetGDP Adviser in your workplace supporting you to become a fully competent, confident and independent veterinary surgeon, setting you up for a long and fulfilling career.

You can enrol (or apply for exemption) onto the VetGDP on the RCVS website.

The step-by-step guide takes you through this essential first stage in the process.

Your employer must be a VetGDP-approved Graduate Development Practice or Workplace.

They can choose to become one before you start work with them – but you won’t be able to join until they have completed this process.

Look for the logo - and if you don’t see it, ask!

Your VetGDP Adviser is committed to supporting your professional development, and you’ll meet regularly.

You will take the lead and request the support you need. This might include asking for advice on clinical consultations or feedback on a case, and scheduling monthly meetings to obtain feedback and discuss your development.

The progress you record in your e-portfolio will include your journey from your first few weeks through to becoming a more experienced professional working independently.

Your VetGDP Adviser can also add their feedback on cases or the discussions you have together.

At the start of the programme, you and your VetGDP Adviser will meet to review which activities, known as Entrustable Professional Activities, or EPAs, are relevant to your role – you’ll find more information on our website.

You’ll then upload them into your e-portfolio where you will record your progress with each activity.

You must demonstrate that you can perform all activities within your role without support – that you have become a competent, confident vet.

You’ll agree with your VetGDP Adviser when the time is right to submit your e-portfolio to the RCVS for peer review and sign off. We expect it to take around one year but may take more or less time than this.

Need further help? Feel free to get in touch.

Your essential VetGDP checklist

  • Before applying for a job, check the workplace is a VetGDP-approved Graduate Development Practice/Workplace. This means they have submitted the required declarations and have at least one trained VetGDP Adviser on the team. Look for the VetGDP logo on their communications - and if you don't see it, just ask!
  • When joining the register, you must complete your VetGDP statement. Most graduates will enrol in the VetGDP, but a small minority may apply for exemption, for example, if they are working overseas.
  • Ensure you log in to your My Account and update the 'relationship' tab with your place of work and role. View how to add a relationship with your practice or workplace.
  • You can find helpful guidance and learn more on the VetGDP graduate induction course at the RCVS Academy.
  • Once you have started your new job, you will collaborate with your VetGDP Adviser to agree the Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) relevant to your role.
  • Once you have chosen your EPAs, you should add them to your e-portfolio. View our e-portfolio user guide for graduates.
  • As you progress through the programme, you'll have regular meetings with your VetGDP Adviser to discuss the support you need. This may include advice on clinical consultations and feedback on cases.
  • You will record your progress in your e-portfolio, charting your progression from your initial weeks to becoming more skilled and self-sufficient. Your VetGDP adviser will also provide feedback on your progress in your e-portfolio.
  • To complete the VetGDP, your portfolio must show clear evidence that you can carry out each of your selected EPAs with limited support and across all of the listed success criteria. You will work with your VetGDP Adviser to decide when it's the right time to submit your e-portfolio for peer review and RCVS approval.
  • The VetGDP usually takes 12 to18 months to complete, depending on your experiences. If you need longer, please contact the VetGDP team at [email protected] to discuss.
  • For any queries, please email the VetGDP team at [email protected]. 

VetGDP Graduate Induction: free online course 

This one-hour e-learning course hosted by the RCVS Academy is the perfect introduction to the VetGDP. It explains how the programme supports your transition from new graduate to confident vet, with insights into your adviser’s role and practical tips to help you get the most from it.

Find out more about the VetGDP Graduate Induction course. 

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