Accreditation
The Royal Society of Biology (RSB) accredits the School’s undergraduate degrees in Marine & Freshwater Biology, Veterinary Biosciences and Zoology.
Following virtual and in-person accreditation visits in 2021 and 2022, the School currently holds accreditated status from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE).
The Degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) from Glasgow is also recognised by the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).
Glasgow has been accredited by the AVMA Council on Education since 1999. All Schools undergo accreditation assessment every seven years; our last assessment was in 2021, at which we were confirmed with full accreditation. Our next assessment and site visit is due in 2028.
Performance of graduating students in the North American Veterianry Licensing Exam (NAVLE) is an important consideration for accreditation, with a pass rate of >80% required for accreditation by the AVMA Council on Education (under Standard 11 - Outcomes Assessment). Historically, the School's NAVLE pass rate has consistently been above 80% (2018/19 – 85%, 2019/20 – 88%, 2020/21 – 88%). Following a frop in the pass rates for 2021/22 and 2022/23 to 67% and 62% respectively, the school was moved to probationary accreditation.
We always have, and will continue to, provide support for students who wish to sit the NAVLE. Following the drop in the NAVLE pass rate we reassessed and strengthened this support. We now have 4 members of staff allocated to provide support to students intending to sit the NAVLE. Active support from this team is initiated in year 3 of the BVMS programme.
All students wishing to sit the NAVLE are provided with:
- Funded access to Vet Prep and/or Zuku review NAVLE preparation packages both pre- and post-graduation as needed
- Funded access to ICVA self-assessment exams
- Individual review meetings
- Guidance around optimal preparation for and decision on timing of NAVLE attempts
- Dedicated support resources
As of 2025 we will also be employing the ICVA Veterinary Education Assessment (VEA) from year 3 to help assess students' state of knowledge relative to their preparation for the NAVLE.
The cause of Probationary accreditation must be corrected within two years of notification (by April 2026) to avoid a further change in the School's accreditation status. See COE Accreditation policies and procedures classifications for further information on accreditations status, eligibility for the NAVLE examination and licensure in the USA and Canada. If a School were to lose AVMA accreditation, graduates of that School would be required to qualify for the NAVLE by alternative pathways.
Please note that RCVS (UK) and EAEVE (Europe) accreditations are unaffected by a School's accreditation status.
Based on the self-reported results of the students who will graduate in July 2025, and who could graduate this year following the 2nd diet of the BVMS final year exam (the results of which will not be known until mid-August 2025), it is our current understanding that we will meet Standard 11 (Outcomes Assessment) of the Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the AVMA Council on Education (COE). Please do note that this information assumes that the data reported to us are accurate and final decisions rest with the COE.