Cambridge university vet course stripped of accreditation
It follows a standards probe by the royal college of veterinary medicine
The University of Cambridge's vet school has been accused of overlooking racism and student welfare.
The highest-ranked vet course in the UK has been stripped of its professional accreditation following an investigation by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
The RCVS found the course failed to meet 50 out of 77 accreditation standards.
Staff told investigators that students need to "man up" on work placements instead of reporting issues, the RCVS's report found.
When students from black, Asian and ethnic minority groups experienced discrimination on placement, the locations remained on the department's database, it added.
The university has been granted conditional accreditation, but if inadequate improvement is made in September graduates will not be awarded their licence to practise veterinary medicine.
Instead, after six years of studying, they would have to complete the same exam as overseas students.
A fifth-year student told the PA news agency: "The main concern is that it's going to make the school look bad and make getting jobs harder. We're just as competent as everyone else but this news makes it seem like the vet school isn't as good."
An RCVS spokesman said: "In reaching a decision and timeframe, given the problems identified and the impact these will have on student learning and experience, Education Committee members firmly agreed on the need to help the vet school support both existing students on, and future applicants to, the Cambridge veterinary programme."
In the UK, veterinary degrees are granted recognition by the UK's Privy Council, which is based on advice from the RCVS, which updated its accreditation standards in 2023.
The University of Cambridge was awarded full accreditation in 2020, and the RCVS was expected to visit in 2025, but, because of a lack of progress shown in annual reporting, a visit was arranged for May 27-31 2024.
Head of department of veterinary medicine Professor Mark Holmes and acting head of school of biological sciences Professor Jon Simons said: "To address the serious issues raised, the university will immediately bring in external expertise.
"We will do everything we can reasonably do to support students to complete their course and receive full accreditation."