In veterinary medicine, it is possible to attain a diploma as a European Veterinary Specialist in several fields of study. It normally consists of 3 to 4 years of further education after completing veterinary education.
What can you use this qualification for?
An approved European Veterinary Specialist has completed a demanding programme of education and has documented, through education and examination, comprehensive specialist knowledge in his or her field of expertise. He or she is able to take on the role of intermediary between the academic and the practical, assist in teaching students and colleagues and be available to give an expert opinion. In many cases, the specialist education helps to develop a wide network of contacts in other countries.
What will you learn?
The specialist candidate undertakes specialist education in the form of a residency for a minimum of 3 years. During the course the candidate will investigate particularly interesting cases. The candidate is closely mentored and shall have good knowledge of all relevant academic literature. He or she is expected to publish 1 or 2 peer-reviewed scientific articles internationally as the main author. Individual approval must be obtained before the examination can be taken.
Short description
Specialist teaching is performed internally at the NMBU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and is not an open study programme. Those who take such education are usually employees of the university. The specialist studies can be taken at both academic and private institutions, provided that the institution’s specialist study programme has been approved. It is an absolute requirement that the candidate's supervisor holds a specialist diploma and there is often a requirement for the institution to be linked to European specialists in the specific field of study. There is also a requirement for the institution to have access to a sufficient number of case histories, have modern equipment and have access to all relevant academic and scientific literature and facilities for research. European specialist studies in one or more disciplines are now offered in many European countries, mainly at universities, but also at some large private clinics.
The examination
The examination is taken at the end of the specialist studies and always has a very high degree of difficulty, regardless of the actual specialisation. The form of the examination varies from college to college, but almost always consists of various parts that aim to examine the breadth and depth of the candidate’s knowledge, as well as problem-solving abilities. The aim of the EBVS is that about 60% of examination candidates should pass at the first attempt, but for some colleges the percentage is much lower.
European Board of Veterinary Specialisation
The European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) is an umbrella organisation that was founded in 1993 to coordinate, approve and supervise specialist studies in Europe. There is at present only one level of specialisation that is approved and quality controlled by the EBVS. This is the courses of education that are administered by the European specialist veterinary colleges that lead to the award of a diploma as a European Veterinary Specialist. There are currently 25 different disciplines in which to specialise, each administered by its own college. The colleges are responsible for developing study programmes for the specialist candidates (residents), as well as for examinations and approval of candidates. The title of European Specialist is valid for 5 years and is subject to re-evaluation by the college’s accreditation committee every 5 years.
A list of EBVS registered colleges may be found on the organisation’s own website.
NMBU School of Veterinary Medicine employs European Veterinary Specialists who are linked to the following colleges:
| American College of Veterinary Surgeons | Associate Professor Eli Hendrickson |
| American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Speciality of Small Animal Internal Medicine | Associate Professor Kristin Paaske Anfinsen |
| American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – large animal speciality | Åse Ingvild Risberg |
| American College of Veterinary Radiology | Associate Professor Hege Kippenes Skogmo |
| European College of Animal Reproduction | Professor Wenche Farstad |
| European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine Welfare Science, Etics and Law sub-speciality | Professor Randi Oppermann Moe |
| European College of Aquatic Animal Health | Professor Øystein Evensen |
| European College of Equine Internal Medicine | Associate Professor Constanze Fintl Professor Carl Fredrik Ihler Assistant Professor Siv Hanche-Olsen |
| European College of Porcine Health Management | Professor emeritus Tore Framstad Associate Professor Marianne Oropeza-Moe |
| European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia | Professor Henning Andreas Haga Assistant Professor Andreas Lervik |
| European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology | Associate Professor Hege Brun-Hansen |
| European College for Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging | Associate Professor Nina Ottesen |
| European College of Small Ruminant Health Management | Associate Professor Snorre Stuen Associate Professor Cecilie Ersdal |
| European College of Veterinary Ophtalmology | Associate Professor Ernst-Otto Ropstad |
| European College of Veterinary Public Health | Professor Liv Marit Rørvik Professor Eystein Skjerve Professor Yngvild Wasteson Associate Professor Øyvin Østensvik |
| European College of Veterinary Pathologists | Professor Mona Aleksandersen |
| European College of Veterinary Surgery | Professor Eric Strand Associate Professor Cathrine Fjordbakk |
| European College of Veterinary Neurology | Associate Professor Karin Hultin Jäderlund |
Active residents per 01.01.2017:
European College of Veterinary Pathologists - Maren Knappe-Poindecker
European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology – Tobias Revold and Siv Grosås
European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging – Marthe Aamodt Mikkelsen and Catherine Trangerud
European College of Veterinary Surgery - Elena Regine Moldal
European College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia – Vanessa Bettembourg
European College of Animal Reproduction – Caroline Haadem (In new position)
European College of Porcine Health Management - Odd Magne Karlsen and Marianne Oropeza-Moe
European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Companion Animals – Annelin Bjelland and Malin Oscarson
European College of Veterinary Neurology – Josefin Hultman
European College of Veterinary Surgery – large animal – Patrick P.M. Smith
In the longer term, the university wishes to increase the number of disciplines in which we have specialist employees.
The Organisation for the Interests of Veterinary Specialist Candidates - SIOV
SIOV is an interest organisation in school politics. SIOV works to safeguard the interests of specialist candidates at and connected with NMBU, as well as to demonstrate the need for veterinary specialisation. All specialist candidates at and connected with NMBU, as well as all diploma holders who have passed the EBVS or ABVS examinations, are welcome as members.
SIOV’s articles of association may be found here.
Contact SIOV here