Externships, External EMS and Visits to the UCD Veterinary Hospital
Externship requests for Residents, Interns and other postgraduate veterinarians are welcomed and can help to gain valuable experience in selected disciplines (see current externship offerings below). External EMS placements are available for veterinary students (see current external EMS offerings below). Visitor requests are dealt with on an individual basis.
Please note the following must be completed prior to formal acceptance.
- You must sign a formal agreement with UCD that outlines your respective rights and obligations under the arrangement.
- You must provide evidence of proficiency in English. You must meet the University Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirement of a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with not less than 6 in any strand in the Academic Version or equivalent. Individual Disciplines may, at their discretion, consider alternative proof of English language proficiency.
- A letter signed by your Supervisor/Employer/Course Coordinator supporting your placement and attesting to your good professional standing.
- We recommend you carry your own private health insurance.
- You will have no direct responsibility for animals seen in the UCD Veterinary Hospital.
All requests should be emailed to (opens in a new window)vet.externships@ucd.ie, unless directed otherwise in the information below.
Currently Available Externships and External EMS:
Equine EMS (for external students only) 2024
Within Large Animal Surgery (LAS) horses are the principle species treated but a variety of farm and occasional exotic animals are also evaluated. Within Equine Medicine (EM), a wide variety of neurologic, respiratory, ophthalmologic, gastrointestinal, muscular, infectious, haematologic, renal and endocrine disorders are investigated as well as poor performance evaluations in conjunction with LAS. A range of surgical procedures (soft tissue surgery, fracture repair, arthroscopy, laparoscopy) are carried out in LAS as well as in-depth lameness evaluations.
The primary goal of the EMS is to give the student an in-depth exposure to the field of Equine Medicine and Large Animal Surgery. Students are required to assist the UCDVH Interns with treatment of hospital cases and to assist Clinicians in diagnostic and therapeutic care of hospitalised cases, out-patients and emergency referrals.
For information on the goals and responsibilities associated with this Equine EMS and also how to apply please click here: 2024 UCD Equine Hospital EMS (for external students only)
Small Animal Internal Medicine Externship 2024
Currently, the Small Animal Internal Medicine Service sees approximately 3,000 - 3,500 animal visits per annum. The vast majority are referral cases covering a wide variety of disciplines including neurology, cardiorespiratory, gastrointestinal, haematological, renal, endocrinology and oncology. Additionally, there is a small primary care service.
The service is run by six European Diplomates in Internal Medicine. There are five Residents and one Intern. The service is complimented by other specialist services including Oncology, ICU, Anaesthesia, Diagnostic Imaging (radiography, ultrasonography, CT and MRI) Pathology and Clinical Pathology (full biochemistry, haematology, cytology and endocrine capabilities). Equipment and facilities include a full endoscopy suite, a wide range of chemotherapeutic treatments and radioactive iodine.
The primary goal of the externship is to give you an in-depth exposure to the field of Small Animal Internal Medicine. Externs are encouraged to assist, under supervision, the UCDVH Interns and Residents with the treatment of hospital cases and to assist clinicians in diagnostic and therapeutic care of hospitalised cases, out-patients and emergency referrals.
To qualify for this Small Animal Internal Medicine externship, you must be either a Resident, Intern or other postgraduate veterinarian (priority assigned in this order).
For information on the goals and responsibilities associated with this Externship and also how to apply please click here: 2024 UCDVH Small Animal Internal Medicine Externship Information.