Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP)
This flexible postgraduate veterinary qualification is designed so that you can choose the areas of study that are of most interest or relevance to you. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have accredited the University of Liverpool to provide and assess a range of modules, which can be accumulated towards the RCVS CertAVP.
All modules are also approved by the University, and can be put towards a postgraduate award in Veterinary Professional Studies
Eligibility
The CertAVP programme is open to Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS), or to veterinary professionals who hold a registerable qualification.
You may begin your CertAVP with one year’s experience as a practising vet but to complete your certificate you must have been practising for at least three years.
Programme Structure
In order to be awarded the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP), you must successfully complete the following modules:
- 1x A-Module
- 1x B-Module
- 4x C-Modules
You can replace a C-Module with an additional B-Module if you prefer
You can either work towards a general CertAVP qualification, which allows you the flexibility to choose from a broad range of C-modules, or you can opt for a named qualification – a ‘designated certificate’ - in a particular subject area.
We strongly recommend that candidates studying at the University of Liverpool complete A & B modules in order, prior to studying their four additional C-modules. This is a requirement for completion of a Veterinary Professional Studies degree award.
To be eligible for award of your University of Liverpool Postgraduate certificate in Veterinary Professional Studies award, all 6 modules must be completed within three years of commencement of the first module.
Method of Teaching
If you choose to study your CertAVP modules at the University of Liverpool, you will be welcomed into a supportive teaching environment, designed to help you to get the most from your student experience.
We are unique in delivering modules as part of a fully-taught, structured e-learning programme and students are supported by veterinarians who are specialists in their subject area. You will not work in isolation but as part of a teaching group, with regular contact with your fellow students and academics online via evening journal clubs and discussion boards. This virtual learning environment also includes full access to the University of Liverpool's extensive online library.
As an optional extra, you will also have the opportunity to enrol on modules as a 'full course participant' where, in addition to the e-learning programme, you will attend an associated practical workshop at the Leahurst campus.
Timetable
Modules are provided over three semesters - January, April and September – and each module consists of 12-weeks of study. A & B modules run every semester. Students should enrol on one module per semester.
It is possible to complete all 6 modules within a 2-year time period however, the RCVS grants 10 years in which to complete all modules.
Assessment
Assessment is on-going and throughout each module there are a number of assignments with set submission dates and feedback provided by module tutors. Assignments take various forms, including written reports, essays, short answer questions and assessed discussion boards. Some modules also require the completion of a case log and for those candidates taking the equine dentistry modules there is one compulsory practical element.
Assessment methods for each module can be found on the module outline documents, accessed by clicking the module titles on this page.
Candidates who wish to work towards a 'designated certificate' must also successfully complete a Synoptic Examination following completion of all six modules.
Fees
Modules are priced individually, and you can book and pay for one module at a time. There is no additional cost for assessment throughout each module however, there is an additional fee for Synoptic Examinations.
Current fees are listed on booking forms.
How to Enrol
Before you start working towards the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP), or towards any individual modules, you must enrol for the CertAVP with the RCVS. This is so that the RCVS can confirm your eligibility, and log your credits as they accrue towards a full qualification.
To enrol onto a module with the University of Liverpool, please complete and return the appropriate booking form for your first module. If you are new to studying CertAVP modules at the University, you will also be required to complete a New Student Registration Form.