The full accreditation will last for seven years.
The RCVS has formally accredited the veterinary degree at University College Dublin’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
Lasting seven years, the accreditation comes after a successful visit and subsequent report by the RCVS Primary Qualifications and Subcommittee and the Education Committee.
It means that UCD veterinary students, who graduate from 2021 onwards, will be automatically entitled to join the RCVS register.
Preparations for the accreditation began in 2019, when the RCVS and the Veterinary Schools Council of Ireland signed a historic Mutual Recognition Agreement to facilitate the recognition of each others' veterinary degrees.
Congratulating UCD on its accreditation, Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS director of education, said: “Our visitation team found that the quality of the programme at Dublin, and how it prepares its graduates for life as practising vets, met the stringent standards we apply to all UK and international universities and we look forward to continuing to work with them over the coming years.”
Dr Michael Doherty, Dean and head of school at UCD, said: “To receive RCVS accreditation is a great honour, and the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine is delighted with the news, which has added historic significance.”
Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
