Majority of graduates satisfied with veterinary course choice
Two-thirds of veterinary graduates agreed or strongly agreed that their course helped their current proficiency in decision making.
A recent survey conducted by the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) in collaboration with the RCVS shows that the vast majority of veterinary graduates are satisfied with their choice of veterinary course.
Data from the Graduate and Employer Survey for 2019 reveals that 95 per cent of surveyed graduates reported being happy with their course, while two-thirds agreed or strongly agreed that their course helped their current proficiency in decision making.
Four-fifths of graduates surveyed also agreed or strongly agreed that Extra-mural studies (EMS) had prepared them for entering the workforce. Researchers hope that the feedback will help veterinary schools continue to provide education that meets the needs of the profession.
“As veterinary educators, we welcome the publication of new data on recent graduate competence,” commented Prof. Susan Rhind, chair of the VSC Education Committee. “We believe that improvements to veterinary education should be based on evidence which is strengthened by these new data.
“The findings from this survey will bolster our efforts to improve on perceived areas of weaker competence in our veterinary graduates. We are particularly pleased to see that 95 per cent of surveyed graduates reported that they were satisfied with their choice of veterinary course, which undoubtedly reflects the high quality of veterinary education in this country”.
The Graduate and Employer Survey for 2019 is the second national survey on graduate competency developed by the VSC in collaboration with the Work Psychology Group and distributed by the RCVS. Surveyed graduates completed their degrees between 2013 and 2015, while employers responded about their most recent employee who graduated between 2017 and 2018.
As the surveys are repeated over time, researchers hope that it will enable comparisons between the views of employers on graduate competency and those of the graduates themselves.
“Following the release of the first national survey in 2017 veterinary schools have considered ways in which they can improve on lower-rated areas of competence, such as graduates’ knowledge of financial management,” Professor Rhind continued. “The publication of the new data will provide more nuanced information on graduate competence and the Veterinary Schools Council’s Education Committee will continue to work with the profession to address any perceived areas for improvement.”
RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence. 
