Q. When does the certificate start?
A. The medicine, surgery and diagnostic imaging certificates start in January each year. The ophthalmology and the emergency and critical care certificates start in May each year and there is only one intake a year for each certificate.You can enrol at any point online using the application form.
Q. What is the criteria for enrolment?
A. All applicants must:
- Hold a veterinary qualification
- Have spent a minimum of one year in veterinary practice. UK-based applicants must also be on the RCVS Home Practising Register, whilst applicants based outside the UK must hold a qualification that would entitle them to register as a member of the RCVS
Additionally, veterinary surgeons who qualified pre-2021 and who are based in the UK must have completed the RCVS Professional Development Phase (PDP). Veterinary surgeons who qualify from July 2021 onwards and who are based in the UK must have completed the RCVS Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP), and have received confirmation of completion from the RCVS
Q. Are the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) and the BSAVA Postgraduate Certificates academically equivalent?
A. Each qualification is positioned at Level 7 (Masters) within the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and carries 60 academic credits at this level. The qualifications are therefore, by definition, academically equivalent.
Q. Is flexible study an option?
A. Yes, you can complete your studies within 3-5 years.
Q. What support will I get?
A. When you enrol on the BSAVA PgCert programme you will be allocated a mentor whose role is to provide you with general advice and encouragement should you need it. There is also a designated case book co-ordinator to provide you with advice about the preparation of your casebook. There will also be frequent opportunities for you to ask questions, either through taught courses, online discussion boards or the central academic enquiry point at certificate@bsava.com.
Q. Is my practice suitable for studying towards a BSAVA PgCert?
A. As a guide we suggest that you consider the following when deciding if you think the facilities, equipment and procedures and their role in the practice will support their studies.
- The practice
- Number of patients, species distribution and range of conditions seen should allow student to gain experience across the whole syllabus during the study period
- Either a manual of computerised system of patient records, allowing accurate recording, storage and retrieval of information
- Facilities to hospitalise patients and arrangements for OOH care
- Equipment and facilities to conduct radiographic examinations and ultrasound should be available within the practice or on referral. Access to CT/MRI equipment is not a requirement
- Suitable equipment for administration of oxygen and safe maintenance of anaesthesia
- Disinfection and sterilisation procedures in place which are suitable for the work undertaken
- Medicines are stored, prescribed and dispensed appropriately.
- The following is a list of equipment for Ophthalmology which is considered ‘non-specialist’ and which candidates would be expected to have access to:
- Focal light source (e.g. Finhoff)
- Indirect ophthalmoscopy (monocular or binocular)
- Direct ophthalmoscope
- Tonometry (applanation or rebound)
- Slit-lamp biomicroscope
- Surgical loupes
- Microsurgical instrumentation appropriate to the surgical procedure being performed
- Ultrasonography and radiography
- Microscope
For students enrolled on the Diagnostic Imaging certificate, facilities to conduct radiographic examinations and ultrasound must be available within the practice. Access to CT/MRI equipment is not a requirement.
Q. Where are the taught courses held?
A. The medicine and surgery courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester as well as the Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport. The emergency and critical care courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester and Vets Now HQ in Dunfermline. The ophthalmology courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester and The Cambridge Belfry Hotel. The surgery practical courses for ECC, Ophthalmology and Surgery are held at University of Bristol. The diagnostic imaging courses are held at BSAVA HQ in Gloucester, and the practical’s at MIUS Medical in Gloucester.
Q. Are the BSAVA PG certificates approved for Advanced Practitioner status?
A. Yes, the BSAVA PGCerts are approved as appropriate postgraduate qualifications for the purpose of the RCVS Advanced Practitioner List. There is no requirement to undertake additional accredited training in Professional Key Skills for holders of BSAVA PGCerts gained in 2017 or later.
Q. I am already a BSAVA PgCert member – how do I access the online learning resources?
A. PG Certificate specific content is available via www.bsavaeducation.co.uk. If you have forgotten your login details for this website please contact certificate@bsava.com.
Q. Can the BSAVA Postgraduate Certificates be studied remotely?
A. We don’t currently offer remote learning, so you would have to attend all the taught courses and examinations in the UK.