Home Office Licence Training
The Royal Veterinary College provides training courses for individuals seeking to apply to the Home Office for Personal or Project Licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Our courses are expertly taught live online, in a virtual classroom with a tutor. The handling, suturing and minor procedure modules the skills practical's are held in person at the RVC, or at your own institution by request. Self-study-e-learning courses are available to start at any time.
Please apply using the application form, or for information contact hocourses@rvc.ac.uk or telephone +44 20 3905 4785
E1 & L: Ethical background to the Act, details on the Act's requirements and other related legislation.
E1&L Is self-study. We recommend taking a full study day to prepare for the exam.
PIL A & B K theory: (modules 3 – 8 and 20 ) General biology and care of research animals, health and safety, introduction to anaesthesia. Core species rat and mouse, otherwise stated
PIL C: 1-day course, covering basic Surgery and Anaesthesia techniques (modules 20 – 22)
K Theory: Stand-alone Humane killing (module KD 6.3)
PPL E2 - Project licence holder training: Ethics 2, statistics, and experimental design. (modules 9,10,11) 2-day course (10:00-16:00 daily)
PILABK other species: Avian, Camelids, Cat, Cattle, Dog, Equine, Ferret, *Gerbil, Goat, *Guinea pig, *Hamster, Pig, *Rabbit, Sheep *denotes self-study
The 3-day course timetable: Monday - Day1: E1&L (10:00-10:45 AM) PILA (12:15 - 16:30) Tuesday - Day2: cont PILABK (10:30 - 14:45) Wednesday - Day3: PILC (9:15 - 16:30)
Course Dates
COURSE DATES FOR 2025
Modular Courses for Home Office Licence Applicants Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 – Amendment Regulations 2012
Download the PDF here
2025 Dates Jan - July
2025 Dates Sep - Dec
Until further notice our courses are expertly taught live online with a tutor. The handling, suturing and minor procedure modules (practicals) are held in person at the RVC, or at your own institution by request. Self-study course are available to start at any time.
E1&L – Ethics and Legislation
PILAB – Is Rat and mouse unless stated otherwise
PILC – non-species specific , however we can tailor to fit your requirements
K – theory only
PPL E2 – Project Licence holder training – Ethics 2, statistics, and experimental design
PILABK species on request: *denotes self-study
Camelids, Cat, Dog, *Gerbil, Goat, *Guinea pigs, *Hamster, *Rabbit.
March 2025
5th PILABK Avian
10th E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
11th PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
12th PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus date 21st March
24th E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
25th PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
26th PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus date 3rd April
27th -28th PPL E2 – Project Licence holder training (10am-4pm daily)
April 2025
7th E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
8th PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
9th PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus date 14th April
23rd Large animal PIL AB K Pigs, sheep.
(On request: goats, cattle, equine)
24th -25th PPL E2 – Project Licence holder training (10am-4pm daily)
29th PILABK Carnivore (Ferret)
May 2025
12th E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
13th PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
14th PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus date 21st May
20th PILABK Avian
22nd – 23rd PPL E2 – Project Licence holder training (10am-4pm daily)
June 2025
2nd E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
3rd PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
4th PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus date 12th June
10th Large animal PIL AB K Pigs, sheep.
(On request: goats, cattle, equine)
16th E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
17th PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
18th PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus 24th June
26th -27th PPL E2 – Project Licence holder training (10am-4pm daily)
July 2025
2nd Large animal PIL AB K Pigs, sheep.
(On request: goats, cattle, equine)
7th E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
8th PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
9th PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus date 14th July
21st E1 & L (10am-10:45 am); PIL A (12:15-4:30pm)
22nd PIL A (cont) & B K theory (10am – 2:45pm)
23rd PIL C (9:30 – 4:30pm)
Practical at Camden Campus date 31st July
24th – 25th PPL E2 – Project Licence holder training (10am-4pm daily)