Courses
Veterinary Council grants key accreditation milestone to ATU’s new Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has been granted an opinion of “reasonable assurance” by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) for its new Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) programme. This milestone confirms that programme development is progressing in line with national and international accreditation expectations and represents a major step forward for veterinary education on the island of Ireland.
The determination follows a detailed review commissioned by the VCI and undertaken by a Veterinary Council of Ireland–appointed international expert in accreditation whose expert report, together with ATU’s programme submission, was considered by the Veterinary Education and Training Committee, which recommended granting reasonable assurance. The Council approved this recommendation at its meeting on 11 December 2025.
ATU’s veterinary school, the first in the west or north-west of Ireland, will play a central role in addressing national challenges in veterinary recruitment, rural veterinary capacity, food-system resilience, and One Health leadership. With almost 300 Irish students travelling abroad each year to study veterinary medicine, many of whom do not return, the programme aims to strengthen veterinary provision across rural, island and coastal communities.
Welcoming the decision, ATU President, Dr Orla Flynn said,
This is a landmark moment for ATU and for higher education in the region. The Veterinary Medicine programme is one of the most significant strategic developments in our University’s history and will have far-reaching benefits for our students, our communities and our regional economy. We are grateful to the Veterinary Council for their constructive engagement and we are proud of the work our team has undertaken to reach this milestone.
Dr Joanne Gallagher, Dean of the Faculty of Science & Health at ATU said,
“This decision marks a hugely significant endorsement of the quality and ambition of the Veterinary Medicine programme. It reflects the dedication of the team and the strength of our vision for a school that is outward-looking, research-active and deeply connected to the needs of Ireland’s veterinary profession and regional communities. We look forward to continued engagement with the VCI as the [JG1] programme advances.”
Professor Patrick Pollock, Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at ATU, added,
“We are delighted to receive this very positive and encouraging outcome from the Veterinary Council. Reasonable assurance is a critical step in the establishment of a new veterinary program and reflects the strength of our curriculum design, governance structures and the vision we share with our partners across the region. This is excellent news for the North West, for veterinary education in Ireland, and for the profession as a whole.” “Ireland urgently needs more veterinarians, particularly those prepared to work in mixed practice, farm animal, equine and remote or rural contexts. ATU’s programme has been designed to meet these needs and to align with the highest international accreditation standards. We welcome the planned visitations in Years 1, 3 and 5 as part of the roadmap toward full accreditation at graduation.”
The Department of Veterinary Medicine at ATU will integrate clinical training, simulation-based education, research and community engagement, with a strong focus on One Health, emergency preparedness and the needs of Ireland’s agricultural and equine sectors.
The first cohort of veterinary students is expected to begin their studies in September 2026.
Featured photo (L–R): Professor Patrick Pollock, Head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at ATU; Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport; Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President; James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; and Dr Joanne Gallagher, Dean of Faculty of Science & Health at ATU.
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: +353 87 961 8355
