extramural practice

Where does the term come from?

Extramural literally means "outside the walls" — the walls of the university. Extramural placements therefore take place in institutions not operated by the faculty itself: in small animal, equine, and farm animal practices, in recognised veterinary clinics, at slaughterhouses, and in veterinary and testing authorities. Students generally find these places themselves and are supervised on site by the responsible veterinarians, while the faculty remains responsible for recognition and oversight. The counterpart, intramural training, takes place in the university clinics under direct supervision of the university. In professional life, extramural also refers to work on farms and at holdings — ambulatory practice rather than an in-patient clinic.

What is the extent within the degree?

Of the 1,170 hours of practical training under § 1(2) of the TAppV, the largest block of 700 hours is allocated to curative practice. In addition there are 150 hours in a veterinary clinic, 70 hours of agriculture and animal husbandry, and sections in food monitoring, meat hygiene, and official veterinary services. Part of this — a minimum of 75 and a maximum of 350 hours — may be completed under § 60 TAppV as an elective placement, for example in testing laboratories, artificial insemination stations, the pharmaceutical or feed industries, or in scientifically managed zoological gardens.

What does this mean for students in the EU abroad?

Faculties in Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Malta, and the Baltic states also work with extramural sections, because Article 38 of Directive 2005/36/EC requires at least five years of full-time theoretical and practical training across the EU. Whether a placement completed in Germany is recognised by the home university depends on its curriculum and should be confirmed in writing in advance. Conversely, when transferring to Germany, § 65 TAppV applies, which permits the recognition of study periods and examinations completed abroad, provided equivalence exists. The extent is decided by the receiving faculty.

A common misconception

Extramural is not a quality classification but a statement of location. A section in a well-run mixed practice can be professionally as intensive as a rotation at the university clinic, but demands more independent initiative in sourcing the placement, accommodation, and documentation.