Are you interested in Accreditation and Education Programme Standards?

The Veterinary Council is seeking to expand and develop its pool of experienced and qualified accreditation panel members. In Ireland, there are currently 5 accredited programmes of Veterinary Nursing, with 2 new programmes pending accreditation assessment. There is currently 1 Veterinary Medicine programme accredited, with 2 new programmes of Veterinary Medicine anticipated in the years ahead.

Accreditation visitations to educational institutions of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Nursing are carried out to assess and quality assure programmes, with periodical reviews of any accredited established courses.

Over the coming years, the Council will lead and participate in accreditation visitations at educational institutions both in Ireland and in partnership with international partner agencies, including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC).

What does Accreditation involve?

Accreditation assessment involves an in-depth analysis of the programme’s structure, curriculum, student supports and assessments. This is supplemented by an on site visitation to the programme of education over a number of days, to include meetings with educational lecturers, students, veterinary practices and other stakeholders. Visitation panels usually consist of an international panel of persons from a range of disciplines, to include veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing, educational experts, food safety and public health. The accreditation visitation report compiled by the accreditation panel, appointed on behalf of the Veterinary Council, will then be considered by the Veterinary Education and Training Committee of the Veterinary Council and the Veterinary Council. The Veterinary Council is the competent authority in law for the accreditation of any programme for veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing.

Membership of an accreditation panel requires an interest in educational standards and professionalism, an eye for detail, a thorough grounding in educational quality standards and an ability to consider practical realities in education in the light of the objective standards. Training on accreditation standards will be provided.

Persons who may be interested in serving in this capacity are invited to submit an expression of interest. Any queries in this regard can be directed to info@vci.ie

Expressions of Interest are welcomed by email to info@vci.ie enclosing an outline CV, by 12 September 2025.