Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Council members conflicted over registrable degrees
qualifications
The education committee recommended it be made responsible for registrable degrees.
Delegation to the education committee to be discussed in November

At its recent meeting on June 5, the RCVS Council were unable to agree on whether to delegate decisions on registrable degrees to the education committee.

In paragraph 20 of the council papers, the committee recommends that it be made “responsible for all decisions on the recognition of registrable degrees”.

Currently, this is a duty of the council and the committee can only make recommendations on changes to the approved statuses of degrees.

Council members were divided on the issue, with 17 in favour of delegating this power to the education committee, 11 against the proposal and and seven abstentions.

There was then some debate as to whether or not to count the abstentions and Richard Stephenson proposed that the matter be discussed at the next meeting with the papers.

Councillor Chris Gray said: “I sense there are a number of us feeling conflicted so I would support Mr Stephenson's suggestion that we bring the matter forward with papers.”

As a result, RCVS president Neil Smith agreed that a paper would be brought to the next council meeting in November. Meanwhile, the recommendation has been removed from the papers.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.