Specialist Education

EBVS is a European organisation and focusses on the specific education and training of veterinarians who are able to be licensed to practice as a veterinarian in Europe. Find out about veterinary specialisation in different countries or click on the Countries or Specialists icon below.

Veterinary specialist education and training takes at least 4 years after completing a veterinary degree. All EBVS Colleges have similar general requirements for specific education and training in and practice of the discipline in question. This is usually divided into two parts - an internship and a residency. An internship is an additional, initial period of training (not a period in general veterinary practice) of no less than one year prior to a residency. A residency is a second period of post-graduate educaton and training that is is designed to provide an in-depth education in the science and state of the art of the discipline in question. A residency can take a standard or alternate form and lasts at least thirty-six (36) months. A Standard Residency is a postgraduate training programme that has been pre-approved by the College. An Alternate Residency is a postgraduate training programme that has been tailor-made and approved for an individual. Standard and alternate residency programmes have identical requirements for resident activities and documentation as well as for supervision by an EBVS Diplomat. A Resident usually spends at least twenty-four (24) months under the direct supervision of an EBVS College Diplomat. There is a seven (7) year maximum time limit in which candidates must complete their residency training. Find out about internships and residencies in the different EBVS-recognised Colleges or click on the Colleges icon below.

A number of recorded trainings are available for EBVS Diplomats after login to the Diplomate publications section, including Specialist Examiner TrainingRequest a login