RCVS: Rising graduate numbers not affecting job prospects

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has highlighted data from a new study showing that an increase in graduate numbers in the last half-decade has not negatively affected veterinary job prospects.

A survey carried out on behalf of the RCVS by the Institute for Employment Studies found that an average of 94 percent of graduates seeking a role in clinical practice obtained work within six months of commencing their search.

During the five-year period assessed, this proportion varied minimally between 96 per cent in 2008 and 92 per cent in 2010, despite UK graduate numbers increasing by around one-quarter during this time.

This comes after the University of Surrey recently announced that it will be opening a new vet school in the near future, prompting discussion of whether there are enough jobs for all of the new graduates this will produce.

Jacqui Molyneux, president of the RCVS, said: "I undertook [the study] to get some real facts and am pleased to find that the picture is not as gloomy as predicted."

Last month, the royal college moved to enhance its oversight of the veterinary sector by creating a new director of education role, with Freda Andrews filling the position.