Veterinary Medicine and Science BVMSci (Hons) - 2023/4

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

BVMSci (Hons) Veterinary Medicine and Science

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
BSc (Hons) Veterinary Science
Ord Veterinary Science
DipHE Veterinary Science
CertHE Veterinary Science

Professional recognition

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
Accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for the purpose of eligibility for registration as a veterinary surgeon with that body.

Australian Veterinary Boards Council Inc. (AVBC)
On successful completion of this course, you’re recognised for automatic registration by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)

South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
On successful completion of this course, you’re recognised for automatic registration by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)

Singaporean Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS)
On successful completion of this course, you¿re recognised for automatic registration by the Singaporean Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS)

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time UCE30001 600 credits and 300 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Veterinary science (Bachelor)

Other internal and / or external reference points

Please note, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes to EMS requirements both at a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) level and at an individual school level. Each current veterinary cohort now have their own requirements and these can be found on the Vet Placement page on Surrey Learn as they are individual to each year group. For incoming students, the EMS requirements posted above are subject to change in light of feedback received from students, the profession and new requirements imposed by the RCVS, our governing body. It should be noted that there is no longer a requirement to do a set amount of weeks in the UK. There is no limit on overseas EMS placements as long as these placements meet the conditions of the insurance and placement team.

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Veterinary Medicine

Programme Leader

SUBASINGHE Dynatra (Vet Med)

Date of production/revision of spec

26/09/2024

Educational aims of the programme

  • The aim of this programme will be to graduate students with skills, knowledge and attributes required for Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons i.e. to achieve accreditation of the programme by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
  • Specific educational goals are to produce competent and confident veterinarians with more than Day One competencies and a good understanding of evidence-based practice, the scientific process along with strong professional communication skills and technical competencies. The student will be encouraged to have a global perspective.
  • To provide students with the opportunity to learn the breadth of the subject with emphasis on clinical science, veterinary pathology and research.
  • To provide a fully-integrated programme with hands-on practical experience early in the programme.
  • To provide the appropriate environment to encourage the development of the students' interest in veterinary medicine and science and to help them acquire appropriate intellectual, scientific, technical and key transferable skills to promote self-directed and life-long learning.
  • To provide a programme that is focused on the FAIR principles of education providing: Feedback, Active participation in learning, Individualisation and Relevance in a changing world.
  • To provide clinical education through a distributed model of teaching that provides training by specialist and general veterinary practitioners.
  • To provide an opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and research skills from our partner institutes, including the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the Pirbright Institute and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
  • To ensure a multidisciplinary approach to learning that encompasses veterinary clinical sciences, clinical training and comprehensive professional and business skills.
  • To provide opportunities for international placements with our global partners in Brazil, the USA and other countries.
  • To further the students' knowledge of the fundamental principles of veterinary medicine and to develop a deeper knowledge of the close relationship between human and animal health.
  • To provide state of the art research training within world-leading veterinary research institutes and veterinary practices.
  • To develop critical analytical skills in relation to identifying problems, formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, interpreting data and drawing conclusions.

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Act professionally, as informed by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct KCPT Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Act in a way that shows understanding of ethical and legal responsibilities, appropriately balancing competing interests KCPT Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate evidence, in support of practising evidence based veterinary medicine KCPT Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Apply principles of clinical governance KCT Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Contribute as appropriate to the advancement of veterinary knowledge, in order to improve the quality of animal care and public health KCPT BVMSci (Hons) Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Apply the RCVS Ten Principles of Certification. KC Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Prescribe and dispense medicines correctly and responsibly in accordance with legislation and latest guidance including published sheets KCPT Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Report suspected adverse reactions effectively KCPT Personal Leadership - Professionalism
Demonstrate situational awareness through navigating and responding to the economic and emotional context in which the veterinary surgeon operates KCT Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection
Demonstrate self-awareness of personal and professional limits, and know when to seek professional advice, assistance and support KCPT Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection
Demonstrate a commitment to learning and professional development, including recording and reflecting on professional experience and other learning aimed at improving performance and competence KCPT Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection
Engage with self-audit and peer-group review processes in order to improve performance KCPT Personal Leadership - Self-awareness + Self-Reflection
Demonstrate ability to manage in situations where information is incomplete, deal with contingencies, and adapt to change KCPT Personal Leadership - Adaptability
Adapt knowledge and skills to varied scenarios and contexts KCPT Personal Leadership - Adaptability
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the organisation, management and legislation related to a veterinary business KCT Professional Commitment - Business/Finance
Promote health and safety of patients, clients and colleagues in the veterinary setting, including applying the principles of risk management to practice KCPT Professional Commitment - Leadership/Management
Communicate effectively with clients, the public, professional colleagues and responsible authorities, using language appropriate to the audience concerned KCT Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication
Demonstrate inclusivity and cultural competence, and encourage diverse contributions within the workplace KCT Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication
Work effectively as a member of a professional/ inter-professional team, fully recognising the contribution of each professional, and demonstrate an understanding of cognitive diversity KCT Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication
Prepare accurate professional records and case reports, in a form appropriate to relevant audiences. KCT Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication
Communicate clearly and collaborate with referral, diagnostic and other professional services KCT Reflective Relationships - Collaboration + Communication
Obtain an accurate and relevant history of the individual animal or animal group, and its/their husbandry and environment KCT Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning
Develop appropriate treatment plans and administer treatment in the interests of the patient and with regard to the resources available and appropriate public health and environmental considerations KCPT Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning
Synthesises and prioritises problems to arrive at differential diagnoses. KCT Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning
Prioritise situational urgency and allocate resources KCT Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning
Act professionally in complex situations KCT Vet Capability - Clinical Reasoning
Handle and restrain animal patients safely and humanely, and instruct others in helping the veterinary surgeon perform these techniques KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Perform simple, elective surgeries in an aseptic fashion KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Perform a complete clinical examination relevant to presentation and context KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Attend all species in an emergency and perform first aid KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Collect, preserve and transport samples, select appropriate diagnostic tests, interpret and understand the limitations of the test results. KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Use diagnostic techniques and use basic imaging equipment and carry out an examination effectively as appropriate to the case KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Safely perform sedation, and general and regional anaesthesia; implement chemical methods of restraint KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Assess and manage pain KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Recognise when euthanasia is appropriate and perform it humanely KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Perform a systematic gross post-mortem examination, record observations KCPT Vet Capability - Individual Animal
Assess the physical condition, welfare and nutritional status of an animal or group of animals and advise the client on good practice of husbandry and feeding KCPT Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management
Recognise suspicious signs of possible notifiable, reportable and zoonotic diseases and take appropriate action, including notifying the relevant authorities KCT BVMSci (Hons) Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management
Apply population principles in compliance with legal regulations and economic realities KCT BVMSci (Hons) Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management
Recommend and evaluate protocols for biosecurity, and apply principles of biosecurity correctly, including sterilisation of equipment and disinfection of clothing KCT BVMSci (Hons) Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management
Advise stakeholders on practices that promote animal welfare KCT BVMSci (Hons) Vet Capability - Animal Population Care and Management
Perform ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food-chain, including paying attention to welfare aspects; correctly identify conditions affecting the quality and safety of products of animal origin, to exclude those animals whose condition means their products are unsuitable for the food-chain KCPT BVMSci (Hons) Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health
Advise on, and implement, preventative programmes appropriate to the species and in line with accepted animal health, welfare and public health and environmental standards KCT BVMSci (Hons) Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health
Promote the health and safety of people and the environment KCT BVMSci (Hons) Vet Capability - One Health/Public Health

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Bachelor of Veterinary and Medicine and Science Degree programme is studied full-time over five years, consisting of 600 credits studied at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and 7. All Modules are worth 15, 30, 45, 60 or 120 credits.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Parts of this programme may be studied outside of the standard University structure and may be subject to professional body requirements.

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

Three attempts (one first attempt and two resit attempts) are allowed across all core barrier units of assessment within years 3, 4 and 5 (levels 5, 6 and 7). Changes will be applied for 2018/9 onward. Third attempts are allowed within year for years 3 and 4 (levels 5 and 6).

Modules

Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6

N/A

Year 5 - FHEQ Level 7

Module code Module title Status Credits Semester
VMS5001 INTRAMURAL ROTATIONS Core 120 Year-long

Module Selection for Year 5 - FHEQ Level 7

N/A

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics N
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) Y Students within the BVMSci may apply to undertake an undergraduate intercalated degree programme following the successful completion of the second year (Level 5) and before the start of the third year (Level 6).
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.