Royal Veterinary College accredited to assess certificate modules

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has been accredited to assess nearly 30 modules that can be taken towards the new postgraduate certificate from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

These new modules, which range from Small Animal Anaesthesia to Zoological Medicine, add to those accredited for assessment from Middlesex University earlier in the year.

The RCVS’s new postgraduate certificate has been developed to better suit the learning needs of veterinary surgeons in practice. The new structure offers candidates a longer enrolment period – extended from five years to ten –  to allow for lifestyle and career changes.

It also offers a more flexible approach to building credits, making it suitable for those wishing to take the general Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) or to achieve a specific, named certificate, such as CertAVP(Small Animal Practice).

The credits will also be recognised by the RCVS as demonstrating that the individual is complying with the RCVS’s requirement of 105 hours of continuing professional development over three years.

The new certificate is made up of 60 credits, which equate to approximately 600 notional study hours. To achieve the full CertAVP, candidates must complete obligatory modules in Professional Key Skills and Clinical Key Skills.

The remaining credits can be gained through a pick and mix of other modules from a choice that encompasses a wide range of specific interests, such as diagnostic imaging, pathology or veterinary public health. For a specific named certificate, the list of additional modules from which to choose is more prescribed.

The last date for enrolment on to the old–style certificate is 1 November 2007. An online enrolment form for the new modular Certificate is now available.

"I am delighted that the Royal Veterinary College is able to offer such a large range of excellent educational opportunities towards the Royal College certificates. This will increase the flexibility of opportunity available to practitioners wanting to develop their skills and advance their careers," said Professor Quintin McKellar, Principal of the RVC and RCVS Council Member.

For more information about the certificate, contact Karen Boyd on 020 7202 0778, email [email protected], or view the modular certificate section.

For more information about the RVC modules, contact Jill Maddison on [email protected] or 01707 666865.