Extra Mural Studies for Veterinary Science students (updated March 2026)

What is the deadline for completing Animal Husbandry Extra Mural Studies (AHEMS)?

  • The RCVS currently stipulates that EMS must be undertaken outside of university teaching time. Expect to complete your EMS in blocks during your university vacation times.
  • You must have completed the relevant practical teaching and successfully passed handling assessments for each species before working with them on AHEMS. 

AGEP students:

  • First AHEMS placements are usually scheduled from the first winter vacation onwards.
  • The absolute deadline for all AHEMS post placement records to be completed and signed off is the 31st July in year 2.
  • AGEP students are permitted to begin Professional EMS before year 3, but only once all AHEMS requirements have been fulfilled.
  • We recommend that you plan to complete AHEMS by the end of the Spring holiday in year 2 so that you can begin Professional EMS in the summer, as AGEP condenses the standard RCVS requirement of EMS weeks into 4 years.

BVSc – 5 year- students:

  • First AHEMS placements are usually scheduled from the Year 1 spring vacation onwards.
  • The absolute deadline for all AHEMS post placement records to be completed and signed off is the 31st July in year 2.
  • BVSc students are permitted to begin Professional EMS in the summer vacation between year 2 and year 3, but only once all AHEMS requirements have been fulfilled.

Is it possible to be given an exemption from Animal Husbandry EMS (AHEMS)?

Current RCVS EMS policy supports students with extensive prior animal handling experience to apply for an exemption from a maximum of 5 weeks of their AHEMS requirement. Eligible students will have gained experience through a previous higher education course or extensive and relevant work experience in an animal industry.
Examples include registered veterinary nurses, farmers, stable hands, lab technicians.

What experience may be considered for Animal Husbandry EMS (AHEMS) exemption?

  • Placements undertaken as part of a tertiary degree programme with relevant intended learning outcomes.
  • Sustained employment within the farming and veterinary industries.

What are the criteria for Animal Husbandry EMS (AHEMS) exemptions?

  • All experience should be taken within the 24 months prior to starting the programme. 
  • Evidence of a minimum 6 weeks full time work with any particular species is required to apply for a 1 week AHEMS exemption. This rule is applied Pro-rata, i.e. evidence of 30 weeks full time work could award a 5 week exemption.

How do I apply for Animal Husbandry EMS (AHEMS) exemption?

  • Information is given during an introductory session in the early weeks of the course in September.
  • After the introductory session, complete an application form found in the EMS learning area.
  • Supporting evidence must include a personal statement from a referee.
  • Applications and all relevant supporting evidence will be considered on an individual case basis, with decisions going through the Veterinary Programme Committee. 
    • Outcomes are communicated directly with applicants in due course.

How do I find out more?

  • There will be an introductory session which will explain the role of EMS, the requirements of the RCVS, how to arrange placements and log experience.
  • This session will also cover the exemption policy and application details.
  • More information can be found on the RCVS website.
  • Specific questions can be addressed to vet-ems@bristol.ac.uk