Evaluation

Every seven years, our veterinary medicine curricula undergo a compliance assessment with the ESEVT (European System of Evaluation of Veterinary Training) standards, which we call the EAEVE (European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education) accreditation. These standards are grounded in the European higher education quality assurance standards and guidelines (ESG), alongside other international agreements and national regulations. The accreditation process meticulously follows the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) outlined in the ESEVT guide.

Ensuring our curricula meet international quality requirements is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it affirms that our veterinary education is of high quality and on the right track. Additionally, it reassures our students that graduate from our program possess the necessary knowledge and skills to work anywhere in Europe without needing additional studies or exams. Regular evaluation of the curricula fosters continuous development and provides an opportunity to benchmark ourselves against other universities in Europe.

Currently, our accreditation status ("Approved") is valid until November 2025, and preparations for its extension are already underway.

The EAEVE accreditation schedule is typically prepared at least two years in advance. The institute must request an EAEVE evaluation, and the planned evaluation is communicated to the Estonian Education Quality Agency (HAKA), which may send an observer to the site visit if desired. It is important to know that HAKA does not conduct a separate evaluation of the veterinary medicine specialty but accepts the evaluation provided by EAEVE.

The Institute then begins preparing the Self-Evaluation Report (SER). This report comprises ten chapters/standards, each divided into subsections. It evaluates various aspects of the institution, including strategic management and resource management, quality culture, teaching activities (such as the curriculum), the structure and competence of academic staff, teaching, and student assessment, the availability of learning materials, and the existence and competence of support structure, research and development activities, and lifelong learning opportunities.

The preparation of the SER is a collaborative effort. Each chapter has a designated author responsible for leading the work within that chapter. In addition to the chapter leaders Arvo Viltrop, Toomas Tiirats, Kristel Peetsalu, Külli Kõrgesaar, Tarmo Niine, Einar Orgmets, Piret Kalmus and Andres Aland, contributions are also made by Katriin Visnapuu, Monika Ojakivi, Lea Michelson, Ina Järve, Maarek Sillamäe, Karoli Kõiv, Anastassia Safonova, Kaire Klaus, Eve Eller, Kristi Praakle, Epp Klaassen, Malle Liblik, Margus Karindi, Aleksandr Semjonov, Mare Kivivare, Külli Must, Kersten Piir, Renno Reitsnik, Linnar Pärn, Haldja Viinalass, Esta Nahkur, Irje Nutt, Tõnu Järveots, Silva Tedrema, Terje Elias, Mati Roasto, Kerli Mõtus, Birgit Aasmäe, Els Rusi, Eda Leola, Ave-Ly Toomvap, Leila Juhanson, Alar Onoper, Julia Jeremejeva, Ragnar Leming, Valentina Oborina, Andres Reilent, Rainer Banhard, Tiina Tohvre, Veljo Kabin, Vaike Reisner, Kairi Marjapuu, Nadezda Kolesnik, Veronika Krassavina, Kerli Liiv, Eva Elken, Kristina Marran, Eve-Liis Abroi, Katri Hellat, Katri Ling, Andres Valdmann, Toomas Orro and Marit Otsason.

Throughout the preparation of the SER, Vaike Mee tracked the progress, while Külli Kõrgesaar compiled the first draft of the final report. The editing and proofreading of the report will be continued by Ülle Sihver.

Additionally, students and alumni will soon be involved in the report's preparation. The first draft of the SER was completed in early February and is currently being reviewed for updates by various key individuals and editors. Following this, students will have the opportunity to review the draft, and everybody less involved in the process can provide feedback to identify any shortcomings. In May, we will finalize the report and submit it to both EAEVE and HAKA in June.

After submission, we will await the evaluation commission’s visit, scheduled for October 6–10, 2025. The composition of the evaluation committee will be confirmed and announced in April. The evaluation committee typically consists of eight members: the ESEVT coordinator, a student, a practitioner, and experts in areas such as preclinical sciences, clinical sciences in companion animals, clinical sciences in production animals, veterinary public health, and quality. These experts will review the chapters and may request additional materials already before the visit, and send further questions that must be answered promptly. We hope for understanding and quick cooperation from everyone involved.

The visit will be coordinated by Külli Kõrgesaar. During the evaluation visit, the facilities related to our curriculum will be inspected, and key individuals, including student representatives, will be interviewed. Committee members may walk around the building, approach individuals in the corridors, and ask various questions. It is important to focus on the positive and provide honest answers.

During the visit, there will be an ‘open hour’ where anyone can meet with the committee anonymously, without prior registration. On the last morning of the visit, the chairperson of the committee will present an overview of the findings. Afterward, we will await the evaluation committee’s summary and decision. The evaluation for each chapter will be given on a scale of "Compliance," "Partial Compliance," and "Non-compliance," along with recommendations for improvements.

The institute will have 14 days to review the findings and correct any factual errors if necessary.

The ECOVE (European Committee of Veterinary Education) meeting, which takes place twice a year, usually in December and June, will then review the Self-Evaluation Report and the site visit results. If all requirements are met, the decision will be "Accredited." If one or two "major deficiencies" or several "minor deficiencies" are found, the curriculum will be given the status "Conditionally Accredited" (Pending Accreditation), with additional time to address these deficiencies. In this case, a new visit must be organized within two years to verify the improvements. During the "Conditionally Accredited" period, the curriculum remains accredited, and this status does not affect students – they will still graduate from an accredited program. However, if the deficiencies are not corrected or a follow-up visit is not organized, the curriculum will be given the status "Non-Accredited."

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 competences”), 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 

Technical support for the visit: Vaike Mee