RCVS to host inaugural International Postgraduate Veterinary Education Symposium

This November, we'll be hosting an inaugural international postgraduate veterinary education (PGVE) symposium to kick start the development of an international community of practice to lead, engage in, report and share high quality veterinary educational scholarship, research and innovation.

This unique event will take place at Ironmongers’ Hall, London, on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 November 2025, and will bring together all those with an interest in advancing postgraduate veterinary education and training, including researchers, educators, veterinary professionals, practice leaders and managers, and those from other relevant fields.

The need for increased focus on this important area of veterinary education - and the development of a collaborative approach to understand ‘best practice’ through an international community of practice – stems from the fact that there is very little published evidence relating to education and training ‘beyond graduation’ in veterinary, unlike in other professions such as medicine or dentistry. This position has been set out in a recent paper published in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education entitled ‘The Veterinary Education and Training Landscape Beyond Graduation: Where Is the Evidence?’ authored by Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, Director of Education at the RCVS, (UK), and international collaborators Professor Kent G. Hecker (Canada), Professor Harold G. J. Bok (Netherlands), and Professor Martin Cake (Australia).

The paper highlights the potential opportunities and advantages of an increased focus on postgraduate veterinary education and development across four overarching topics. Each topic represents the possible stages within a professional’s career where education and training may play an important role:

• Graduate transition into the profession
• Advanced education and training (post graduate qualifications, internships, and residencies)
• Continuing education and professional development
• Licensure and revalidation

The two-day event will centre around these topics, with a number of educational leaders from both veterinary and health professions education delivering presentations, including Professor John Norcini (USA), Professor Olle ten Cate (Netherlands), Professor Lambert Schuwirth (Australia), Professor Suzanne Chamberlain (UK), Professor Martin Cake (Australia) and Ms Wendy Preston (UK). More information on the speakers can be found on our dedicated PGVE event page.

There will also be presentations from delegates and an invitation to share new, innovative ideas with peers and experts. Throughout the event, the proposed international community of practice will be debated and next steps agreed on how this can be progressed to ensure continuous engagement and momentum of the initiative, leading to collaborative research, support, innovation and periodic symposia to share collective advances and best practice.

It is hoped that the symposium, and possible subsequent events led by this newly developed international community of practice, will help accelerate progress – bringing together all those involved in PGVE to work collaboratively to improve the vet and vet nurse experience after graduation.

Dr Linda Prescott-Clements (pictured, right) said: “An increased focus on PGVE could have immense benefits for the veterinary professions, whether it is how best to support new graduates in the workplace, ensure high quality, accessible postgraduate qualifications and training programmes, or identify how vets and vet nurses get the best value from their CPD.

“There have been multiple reports of low retention rates in the veterinary professions and although the causes of this worrying trend are known to be multifactorial, aspects such as poor graduate support, low job satisfaction, disengagement and lack of career progression and opportunities for personal development have been reported as contributing factors. Through enhanced postgraduate training and support mechanisms, built on best practice evidence, such issues can begin to be addressed.”

Professor Harold Bok added: “We are delighted to be launching this vital PGVE initiative on a global stage with the first symposium of its kind. While the event is open to all, we particularly welcome those who are actively involved in the support and training of vets and vet nurses from graduation onwards, and those interested in pursuing PGVE research either themselves or by commissioning targeted studies.

“In addition to improving development opportunities for veterinary professionals, enhancing our understanding of the many aspects relevant to veterinary education and training beyond graduation could have a significant impact on the quality of educational experiences, sustainability of the workforce, business and animal welfare. We look forward to welcoming people from all walks of life working in the PGVE sphere to the symposium.”

“In addition to improving development opportunities for veterinary professionals, enhancing our understanding of the many aspects relevant to veterinary education and training beyond graduation could have a significant impact on the quality of educational experiences, sustainability of the workforce, business and animal welfare. We look forward to welcoming people from all walks of life working in the PGVE sphere to the symposium.”

For this inaugural symposium places will be limited to 100 delegates. Places will be issued on a first come first served basis.

Tickets will be charged at £100 per person for access to both days of the event.

A pre-conference workshop and networking day on 17 November will also be available to delegates interested in leading and contributing to the development of the international community of practice.

For more information, book a place, and learn more about how to get involved in presenting at the event as a delegate, please visit our dedicated International Postgraduate Veterinary Education Symposium page.

The ‘The Veterinary Education and Training Landscape Beyond Graduation: Where Is the Evidence?’ paper is available to download from the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education - to access it, you must subscribe to the journal. Alternatively, please email Dr Linda Prescott-Clements for more information on [email protected].