Hong Kong veterinary degree first in Asia to be directly accredited by the RCVS

The RCVS is today [Monday 25 September] congratulating City University of Hong Kong’s Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, after it was confirmed that its Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) degree course has received full accreditation from the RCVS.

The six-year long BVM is the first degree course in Asia to be directly accredited by the RCVS, with the course receiving a recommended full seven-year accreditation by the College’s Primary Qualifications Subcommittee, which was confirmed at the September meeting of the RCVS Education Committee.

Dr Kate Richards MRCVS (pictured), Past President of the RCVS and current Chair of the RCVS Education Committee, said: “Many congratulations to everyone at CityU for the successful accreditation of its veterinary degree by the RCVS. As the first veterinary degree in Asia to be directly accredited by the RCVS, we understand the significance of our decision for the whole Asia-Pacific region and Hong Kong in particular.

“The final visitation panel for the course took place this summer and was based on our new 2023 accreditation standards and assessment methodology. It is a testament to the quality of the course that it received full accreditation for the maximum period of seven years. We now look forward to continuing to work with CityU to monitor the quality of the course on an ongoing basis.”

The RCVS accreditation of the course will mean that graduates holding a BVM from CityU will be eligible to register as a Member of the RCVS and practise in the United Kingdom without having to take the Statutory Examination for Membership. It should be noted that the veterinary registration process is entirely separate from the visa and immigration system which is operated by the UK’s Home Office.

Although many veterinary degrees across the world achieve RCVS accreditation through joint visitations or recognition via agreements with other veterinary accreditation bodies, CityU’s degree is only the second overseas programme to be directly accredited by the RCVS.

More information about the College’s accreditation standards for veterinary education is available.