Liverpool vs. Nottingham

[pheebs]

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I have applied to two vet programs abroad: one at Liverpool U, and the other at Nottingham U. Which would be the better program/more prestigious? Neither one is accredited, but the Nottingham program is only in its first year (more attention for the students, but inexperienced). Has anyone ever attended these vet programs, or has anyone attended a non-accredited UK vet school and come back to work in the US? Were there any difficulties?

 

[Bullettime]

My vets back home were liverpool grads. Sounded like a great school and a fantastic program. But they practiced in England, Asia and the Middle East only. One of them did a six month exchange in Guelph as part of the program, but other than that they had no intentions of going to the US.
So sorry, can't help with the situation about the degree and the US.
It is recognized by the RCVS though.

 

[dvm'08]

I have applied to two vet programs abroad: one at Liverpool U, and the other at Nottingham U. Which would be the better program/more prestigious? Neither one is accredited, but the Nottingham program is only in its first year (more attention for the students, but inexperienced). Has anyone ever attended these vet programs, or has anyone attended a non-accredited UK vet school and come back to work in the US? Were there any difficulties?

Unfortunately, since the AVMA thinks they're the be all and end all of educational knowingness, they do not recognize RCVS or ECVS accreditation hence making graduating from a non-AVMA accredited college a royal pain in the ass.

I dont doubt that the training in England or abroad is just as good as it is here, but the ECFVG is making life miserable for these grads to get licenses. Other than the new PAVE program that is starting to get some acceptance by certain states - the ECFVG will make getting licensure a misery for you. They've even gone and changed their protocols such that you now have to pass the clinical competency test ( a $6000 test with a 2 year wait list) before you can be eligible to sit the NAVLE - and a passing grade on the NAVLE is a basic requirement to get licensure in (i think) all states. So before, after passing the NAVLE, you could work in (say New York State) under a vet while waiting to write the Clinical exam - however they've gone and made that impossible now. So you cant even practice under a vet after graduating to practice your skills for the Clinical Exam. The whole ECFVG system is, quite frankly, a scam and a farce. I think this - and I will be a US grad.

The long and the short of it is - if you want to practice in the US, go to an AVMA accredited school.

 

[pheebs]

Thanks for letting me know about the possible problems. How about the Royal Vet College, which is accredited? Is it basically the same as graduating from a US vet school?

 

[birdvet2006]

>>>How about the Royal Vet College, which is accredited? Is it basically the same as graduating from a US vet school?<<<

Legally, yes. But the UK education system is a shocker to any US student at first...it's different. You get a great education in the UK but it's not like what you were expecting from a US vet school. No midterms and "finals". Once per year exams totalling 95% of your grade for that year. Usually 4-5 "classes" per year rather than classes changing quarterly or with each semester. Though I'm speaking from my experience rather than "the RVC way" (which would be a bit different but mostly run on the same backbone).

Yes, you'll be able to practice in the USA after you pass the NAVLE and undergo whatever state licensing processes you need for your state.