Accreditation and Standards

The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) is responsible for accrediting higher education programmes in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing within Ireland. The VCI not only establishes the standards for these education and training programmes but also accredits and regularly reviews them to ensure that they consistently meet the highest levels of quality. Annual reporting for currently accredited training programmes is also carried out against the accreditation standards. Education and training standards set by the VCI are designed to align with both national and European requirements, supporting the development of highly qualified veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses in the State, and enhancing the standard of veterinary care and education across Ireland, in the interest of animal health and welfare, and public health.

Consultation on Draft Accreditation Standards 2025

The Veterinary Council of Ireland is undertaking a periodic review of Standards of Accreditation for Programmes of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Nursing in Ireland, and we welcome your feedback on the proposed standards of accreditation. As the statutory regulator for veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in Ireland, the Veterinary Council (‘the Council’) is entrusted in law as the competent authority to set and periodically review standards for accreditation programmes of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing.

Accreditation standards ensure best practice and professionalism in the programmes of education for our students, to ground and support high standards in the practise of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in Ireland, to the benefit of animal health and welfare, public health, and food safety in the public interest. Veterinary Council accredited programmes of education enable eligibility to access the registers of veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses in Ireland.

In anticipation of growth in veterinary education, and the prospect of new education providers, programmes, and delivery models, the Council is reviewing its current standards for accreditation to ensure these reflect best practice and align with the One Health approach, recognising the important interconnectivity between animal, human and environmental health. The Council considers stakeholder input essential to ensure VCI standards meet evolving professional needs and societal expectations of the veterinary professions into the future.

Consultation on the revised standards (available via the links below) runs from 1 July to 11 September 2025.

2025 Draft Accreditation Standards for Veterinary Medicine

2025 Draft Accreditation Standards for Veterinary Nursing

 

The Council welcomes written submissions to info@vci.ie from any party on the proposed revised accreditation standards for programmes of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing. All feedback and submissions received as part of this public consultation will be collated and used to inform further revisions for these revised standards of accreditation.

Accreditation Standards for Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Nursing Programmes

Accreditation standards are specific criteria used to assess the quality and effectiveness of veterinary education and training. These standards evaluate key areas of a training programme such as curriculum content, clinical training opportunities, faculty expertise, facility resources, and graduate outcomes (“Day One Competencies”). By setting these benchmarks, accreditation ensures that accredited programmes provide the skills and knowledge required for the delivery of high-quality veterinary care in the State. This process helps maintain consistency in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing education, ensuring programmes align with both national and European standards and instilling confidence in students, employers, and the public regarding the qualifications of veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses practising in the State.

Accreditation standards are regularly reviewed by the VCI to ensure they stay relevant and responsive to changes in professional practices, technological advancements, and educational approaches.

The accreditation standards for higher education programmes in veterinary medicine were last reviewed by the VCI in 2020.  (Accreditation Standards)

The accreditation standards for higher education programmes in veterinary nursing were last reviewed by the VCI in 2022. (Accreditation Standards)

 

Accreditation Reports

In accordance with the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s (VCI) accreditation procedures, we are required to review veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing programmes of education and training at intervals not exceeding five years. Following each review, the accreditation team produces a report. Once the recommendations in the report are approved by the Veterinary Council, the reports are published online.

You can view the published accreditation reports below.

The VCI has accredited veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing programmes provided by the following institutions: ( Accredited Reports)

Accredited Veterinary Medicine Programmes:

Accredited Veterinary Nursing Programmes: