Accreditation of veterinary education

The quality of veterinary medicine curricula at the Estonian University of Life Sciences is regularly assessed at the international level based on the standards of the European System of Evaluation of Veterinary Training (ESEVT). The evaluation is organized by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)link opens in new page and is based on the European Higher Education Area Quality Standards and Guidelines (ESG), international agreements, and national legislation. Accreditation is carried out in accordance with the ESEVT SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)link opens in new page.

The last accreditation assessment of the veterinary medicine curricula at the Estonian University of Life Sciences took place in October 2025. In November 2025, ECOVE (European Committee of Veterinary Education) decided to grant our curricula "Approved" status. The accreditation is valid until November 2032.

International accreditation confirms that our veterinary education meets European quality requirements and is on par with other recognized veterinary education institutions. This provides assurance that graduates acquire the knowledge and skills that enable them to work as veterinarians throughout Europe without additional studies or exams.

The accreditation process assesses the institute's strategic management and resource management, quality culture, teaching activities and curriculum, the structure and competence of academic staff, teaching and student assessment, the availability of teaching materials, the availability and competence of support structures, as well as research and development activities and lifelong learning opportunities. The Estonian Education Quality Agency (HAKA) does not conduct a separate assessment of the veterinary medicine specialty, but accepts the assessment given by EAEVE. An observer from HAKA participated in the expert committee's assessment.

Regular international evaluation helps to ensure that veterinary education at the Estonian University of Life Sciences meets international quality standards.

FAQ

Why should we be accredited?
Accreditation is a mark of quality for our program. It allows our graduates to practice and continue their professional development in a competitive market across Europe.

Do we need to be accredited?
Yes, absolutely. Accreditation ensures the competitiveness of our graduates and their ability to move freely and work in all EU countries. Additionally, all veterinary medicine graduates must have achieved "first-day skills," meaning they are capable of working confidently and competently without additional training immediately after graduation.

What are "first-day skillslink opens in new page" (= “day one competenceslink opens in new page”), and why are they needed?
"First-day skills" are a set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that all veterinarians should possess upon graduation and on their first day at work, regardless of the field of veterinary practice they enter. These are the minimum requirements for veterinarians throughout Europe, and accreditation ensures that these skills have been acquired.

When does our current accreditation end?
Our current status is "Approved," which is valid until November 2025.

How does accreditation happen?
The evaluation of veterinary medicine curricula is conducted according to the ESEVT guide.

What is evaluated? The accreditation evaluates the institution’s:

• Structure and quality culture, curriculum goals
• Financial policy
• Curricula (we have two: one in Estonian and the other in English)
• Facilities and equipment, clinics, practice bases, etc.
• Animals handled by students and animal-based learning materials
• Teaching methods and learning resources
• Admission policy, student progression, and welfare
• Assessment system and guidelines for student evaluation
• Academic and support staff
• Research activities
• Professional and pedagogical development of academic staff
• Further learning opportunities (doctoral programs, internships, continuing education, lifelong learning programs, etc.

What else is required?
The veterinary medicine curriculum and clinical teaching leader must have a veterinary education.

Our veterinary medicine curriculum leader (for both Estonian and English programs) is Kristel Peetsalu, a lecturer in small animal internal medicine and general pathological physiology, PhD. The chief veterinarian of the clinic is Aleksandr Semjonov, senior lecturer, PhD, and senior veterinarian specializing in anaesthesiology, surgery, intensive care, and exotic and wild animal medicine.

Student to Animal Ratio
The SOP provides guidelines on the number and types of animal species students should encounter during their studies. The student-to-animal ratio must meet the prescribed limits.

Clinic Hours
The small animal and equine clinics must be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students must gain experience in emergency and intensive care. The large animal clinic must provide at least on-call veterinary services.

What happens if we do not get accredited?
If we have one or more significant deficiencies, ECOVE’s decision may be "Pending Accreditation (Conditionally Accredited)." This means that the deficiencies must be addressed within two years, and a new evaluation visit must be arranged. The "Pending Accreditation" status does not affect students' work opportunities in the EU and the UK, nor does it affect graduates' ability to enter internships or residencies. However, if deficiencies are not corrected or a follow-up visit is not arranged, the status will be "Non-Accredited."

Contacts:

The process is managed by Toomas Tiirats

Curriculum is managed by Kristel Peetsalu 

Liasion officer: Külli Kõrgesaar