More Irish veterinary students are looking to study abroad, as 38% of vet graduates received their certificate in a foreign country in 2024.
Figures from the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) workplace report showed this figure has risen by over 9% from 28.2% in 2020.
Of the 3,564 registered vets, only 62% or 2,213 graduated in Ireland, while 1,351 graduated abroad.
Meanwhile, for the 1,265 veterinary nurses, only 8% (98) of them studied abroad.
According to the Central Applications Office (CAO), there were 82 veterinary medicine training places and up to 249 veterinary nursing training places available in Ireland last year.
A spokesperson for the VCI said: “Work conditions and progression opportunities need to be addressed, improved and supported to ensure more recently qualified or younger graduates are attracted and retained in veterinary services, to continue to meet the demanding challenges of veterinary practice, food safety and public health initiatives.”
Attrition
The VCI said the increase in students learning abroad could be a factor in the increase in attrition rates among full-time vets.
A survey of vets who have left the register over the last five years found that the main reason for leaving, at 58%, is to practise in another country.
It was also noted that of those who completed the survey, 55% graduated outside of Ireland, so it is possible that those leaving were moving back to their country of origin to live and work.
This survey also found that 45% of respondents studied at University College Dublin (UCD), while other places of study included USA, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and the Netherlands.
Of the veterinary nurses leaving the professional, 7.3% studied abroad in Australia, England and Slovakia.
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More Irish veterinary students are looking to study abroad, as 38% of vet graduates received their certificate in a foreign country in 2024.
Figures from the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) workplace report showed this figure has risen by over 9% from 28.2% in 2020.
Of the 3,564 registered vets, only 62% or 2,213 graduated in Ireland, while 1,351 graduated abroad.
Meanwhile, for the 1,265 veterinary nurses, only 8% (98) of them studied abroad.
According to the Central Applications Office (CAO), there were 82 veterinary medicine training places and up to 249 veterinary nursing training places available in Ireland last year.
A spokesperson for the VCI said: “Work conditions and progression opportunities need to be addressed, improved and supported to ensure more recently qualified or younger graduates are attracted and retained in veterinary services, to continue to meet the demanding challenges of veterinary practice, food safety and public health initiatives.”
Attrition
The VCI said the increase in students learning abroad could be a factor in the increase in attrition rates among full-time vets.
A survey of vets who have left the register over the last five years found that the main reason for leaving, at 58%, is to practise in another country.
It was also noted that of those who completed the survey, 55% graduated outside of Ireland, so it is possible that those leaving were moving back to their country of origin to live and work.
This survey also found that 45% of respondents studied at University College Dublin (UCD), while other places of study included USA, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain and the Netherlands.
Of the veterinary nurses leaving the professional, 7.3% studied abroad in Australia, England and Slovakia.
Read more
90 Irish first years start veterinary in Poland this year
Letter about veterinary education
Vet shortages finally being addressed
Leaving Cert points system is biased
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