Student Rep Gareth Marchon
The UK’s Largest Veterinary Graduate Academy Opens For 2021 Intake - And Launches A New Online EMS Placement Tracker –
3 years ago 
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Intake applications for the UK’s largest veterinary academy, hosted by IVC Evidensia, have opened for the 2021 intake.
All 220 spaces at the IVC Evidensia Academy filled last year, and it’s expected this year will be just as popular with 300 spaces available, a growth of 36% from last year. With an endless stream of options for veterinary graduates, IVC Evidensia has over 1500 practices and there are graduate opportunities across the UK and Europe.
IVC Evidensia has also worked with the RCVS and been able to open up more Extra Mural Studies (EMS) placements during COVID-19, which has been a huge concern for veterinary grads throughout 2020.
With varying degrees of restrictions across the four nations – and regular changes to the guidance for practices to keep staff and clients safe – it means that EMS placements have been difficult to find.
However, IVC Evidensia has been working proactively with the RCVS and veterinary schools to find innovative solutions to the problem. Students are now able to obtain meaningful EMS opportunities, in a COVID-19 safe way, within the group’s practices.
They have created an online EMS practice finder (ivcevidensia.co.uk/ems-placements) so that veterinary students can apply for their preferred placements simply and quickly.
It’s a welcome move from veterinary students as the uncertainty added to the pressure they are already under, leaving many concerned about how they will complete their required EMS placements. IVC Evidensia student rep and 4th year student at Glasgow, Gareth Marchon explains,
“Due to current restrictions, it was much harder to find placements in 2020. Most practices stopped EMS placements over the summer because of safety concerns.”
The absence of these placements has meant that students are concerned about their lack of clinical experience, worrying that they might struggle with practical skills in the future.
Gareth points out that, for him and some of his cohorts, there is a light at the end of the tunnel,
“With the RCVS adjusting the clinical EMS requirements and the structure of IVC Evidensia’s EMS programme, I am now looking forward to completing my next placement.”
Donald Kingsnorth, one of IVC Evidensia’s Group Veterinary Advisors, says,
“We are fully committed to helping the next generation of vets get the best start possible in practice. Creating the online EMS practice finder helps take away some of the pressure and uncertainty facing them. I am very proud to be able to offer a practical solutions to our future colleagues.”
The IVC Evidensia Graduate Academy enjoyed continued success last year with all of their spaces filled. They are now full steam ahead for 2021 and intake applications have opened. The programme has had to adapt over the past 12 months during COVID-19, but they have been able to deliver the same gold standard level of support and industry leading CPD.
Since 2014, IVC Evidensia has been there to support its graduates and has welcomed over 1000 graduates.
The industry leading Graduate Academy offers bespoke CPD, a £5000 Graduate Academy Payment (GAP) in the first two years, personal and clinical mentors, events with peers and a very competitive pay structure.
Moreover, the Farm Academy, launched in 2019, has entered its second year and continues to thrive and expand as well.
Donald adds,
“CPD now takes the form of blended learning with both online and practical elements. The Graduate Academy conference, included in the CPD programme, went virtual this summer and was a huge success. It will be available again next summer to all graduates in the IVC Evidensia Graduate Academy.”
For more information and to apply for your place in the 2021 programme, email [email protected]
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