RCVS responds to BVA policy position on EMS

The RCVS has responded to the publication of a new policy position on reforming extra-mural studies (EMS) by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) on Thursday 20 April 2023. 

In response to the policy position, Dr Linda Prescott-Clements (pictured), our Director of Education, said: “We appreciate the amount of thought and work that has been put into these recommendations from BVA which are largely aligned with the conclusions that the College came to following its own EMS consultation, and the subsequent new EMS policy that we will be implementing with the vet schools from September 2024.

“The College has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, many of the recommendations contained in the new BVA policy paper including, for example, an outcomes-based approach to how we assess and accredit veterinary degrees which was agreed in November 2021 and is now in active use, and the development of a national EMS database to help veterinary students find the placements that are right for their needs and circumstances.

“However, we do not agree with the main recommendation of the paper to remove the required minimum weeks of both pre-clinical and clinical EMS. This was considered carefully as part of our own work in this area, and we feel that this would have a high risk of unintended consequences that would be detrimental to students and new graduates entering the profession, creating further divisions in the system in terms of both equality, diversity and inclusion, and learning and professional development outcomes for veterinary students.

"While our new EMS policy reduces the minimum required amount of pre-clinical and clinical EMS and allows for greater flexibility in meeting the requirement, we believe getting rid of it entirely would not create a level playing field and, instead, would unduly advantage those students with the time, means and connections to find placements.

“We look forward to working with the BVA and other representative and student groups, as well as the vet schools and placement providers to implement our EMS policy over the coming months.”