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RCVS Council amends IELTS requirements for overseas-qualified vets
The RCVS agrees that this flexibility will facilitate further access for overseas vets without compromising the overall standard of English proficiency required.
Those wishing to apply can do so with a 6.5 or C+ grade in any one component. 

The RCVS Council has amended its English language requirements for overseas-qualified veterinary surgeons wishing to join the RCVS register.

In a vote, the council decided to introduce more flexibility into the requirements for English language testing of overseas-qualified veterinary surgeons, in order to boost the number of veterinary surgeons eligible to practice in the UK following shortages in the profession. 

Previously, any overseas-qualified veterinary surgeons wishing to sit the RCVS Statutory Examination for Membership, or apply for a full registration to practise in the UK, would require a Level 7 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a Level B in the Occupational English Test (OET) across all components (listening/reading/writing/speaking). 

Now however, the RCVS Council, in agreement with the recommendations of the College's Registration and Education Committees, that veterinary surgeons would be able to achieve IELTS Level 6.5 or OET Level C+ in any one of the four test components, provided that the average score across all components remained at at least Level 7/B. 

This degree of flexibility is hoped to facilitate access to the RCVS Register for a larger amount of veterinary surgeons, which the RCVS considers particularly important in light of the current workforce shortages brought about by the effects of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased pet ownership. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.