RCVS Certificate Advanced Veterinary Practice

What is the CertAVP? 

The RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) is a flexible, modular approach to achieving veterinary postgraduate qualifications. 

Credits are awarded by RCVS and not the University of Edinburgh, which means the programme is not eligible for a University of Edinburgh award. 

Your Certificate - Your Way 

You can design your own postgraduate certificate by choosing a combination of 10 credit elements that reflects your area of interest and are directly relevant to your work. As part of this consistent, flexible framework, you can choose modules from a number of accredited institutions in the UK. 

Assessment Only 

Note that all modules are self-study (assessment only) which includes guidance from the team, access to an online support environment and library resources. If you wish to undertake taught courses for your certificate, please contact us about the Masters in Veterinary Science in Advanced Clinical Practice. 

Courses from within the fully-taught MVetSci Advanced Clinical Practice may be used as credit towards the RCVS Certificate in Cattle, Sheep or Production Animal Practice.  Some courses in small animal medicine may also be used towards the RCVS Certificate, please enquire for more details.

Support and Mentoring 

You are encouraged to support your study by undertaking appropriate continuing professional development (CPD) and working closely with a mentor or senior colleague with experience in the subject area and/or personal experience of undertaking veterinary postgraduate qualifications. 

The CertAVP modules are delivered part-time by Online Distance Learning, over a minimum period of two years and a maximum period of ten years. 

Further information from the RCVS 

Careers 

Holders of the Certificate will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for professional veterinary work. 

Students may elect to progress to a European Diploma following completion of the certificate. Holders of the Certificate are also eligible to apply for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status. 

Further information on RCVS Advanced Practitioner status 

Further information on European Diplomas 

CertAVP, PPD

A recognised veterinary degree is a requirement for entry: 

• BVM&S or equivalent qualification 

The RCVS has the following requirements for enrolment: 

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, you will need to have had at least one year’s experience as a practising vet and be able to demonstrate that you have undertaken sufficient CPD for that period. Veterinary surgeons who qualified in 2007 or later must have completed the RCVS Professional Development Phase (PDP) before they can enrol. Overseas candidates may enrol if they are eligible to be members of the RCVS. 

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. 

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place. 

English language requirements 

In delivering the CertAVP modules, we aim to: 

• enhance knowledge and skills relating to a wide range of veterinary professional practice areas 
• enhance knowledge and understanding of veterinary medicine, and a critical awareness of developments, to ensure practitioners have a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own area of practice 
• assess, assimilate and apply scientific evidence, that may be limited or incomplete, to real-life situations and develop appropriate, timely and adaptable responses and solutions to veterinary medicine challenges 
• provide a first-class learning experience, leading to the development of proactive, independent, reflective and life-long learners  

The aim of the CertAVP is to create a consistent yet flexible framework for postgraduate qualifications, aimed at the competent veterinary practitioner. 

The programme aims to enable students to: 

• continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level 
• deal with complex issues in an organised and creative manner, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to veterinary colleagues and to non-veterinary audiences, including clients 
• demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks in their professional area of work 
• evaluate critically current literature and research in their professional area and evaluate clinical methodologies and techniques, and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate to propose new approaches to professional practice 
• interpret and communicate scientific results and information (in research and other forms of social debate) across other related scientific disciplines and to other stakeholders 

The Certificate can be taken over 10 years, with each module taking between 1-2 years. It is possible to complete the full programme (60 credit equivalent) in one year, though this will depend on the assessment timetable for each module. 

The programme is modular in structure, offering a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of modules studied. You can choose to sit modules in any accredited institution in the UK. 

There is now in place a 2-year time limit to complete a module. Please contact the programme team to discuss the best time to register to ensure the maximum number of submission opportunties specific to your chosen module. 

CertAVP Structure 

Modules are divided into three groups - A, B and C. You can sit the modules in any order. However, we strongly recommend you work through the modules in order, starting with the A module (Foundation Skills) and working through to the C modules (in-depth practice reflection). In this way, you will build on your current writing and research skills as you progress through the modules. 

You can take any combination of B and C modules, although certain combinations are required for designated certificates. It is also possible to be assessed on individual modules as part of ongoing CPD activities without working towards the full RCVS certificate. 

Download the following diagram to show the value of the credits within each group. 

Revised structure of the modular postgraduate certificate (10.06 KB PDF) 

To achieve the full CertAVP, candidates must pass the A-Foundations of Veterinary Practice module A-FAVP.1 (10 credits) and at least one B module (10 credits), together with either four C modules or a combination of B and C modules (40 credits). 

Upon completion of all the necessary modules, a further synoptic oral assessment will also be required for anyone wishing to achieve a designated certificate. 

Assessment only 

Note that all modules are self-study (assessment only) which includes guidance from the team and access to an online support environment. If you wish to undertake taught courses for your certificate, please contact us about the Masters in Veterinary Science in Advanced Clinical Practice. 

The following is a list of all the CertAVP assessment modules currently offered by the R(D)SVS. 

All of the Edinburgh modules are outlined in the Degree Programme Table for this Certificate. Details for each module can be accesssed by following the link to your chosen module of interest. 

View the Degree Programme Table for the RCVS CertAVP

If you require further information or want to discuss the modules, please contact the CertAVP team.

Assessment Only 

Note that all modules are self-study (assessment only) which includes guidance from the team and access to an online support environment. If you wish to undertake taught courses for your certificate, please contact us about the Masters in Veterinary Science in Advanced Clinical Practice. 

Assessment Timetable 

You can start work on modules at any time of the year. The submission date for each module is scheduled within our annual assessment timetable and the academic year runs from August to July. The timetable dates are confirmed annually in the programme handbook which all candidates receive. All registered candidates are sent a reminder in advance of the submission dates and are requested to confirm if they will be submitting.

Attendance at Edinburgh is required for any module which has an examination element. All other written submissions are online, e.g. case logs, case books, essays. Where assessment involves both a written submission and an examination component at Edinburgh, this must be taken in the same examination diet. It is not possible to take one aspect of an assessment in one year, and the remaining in a following year, with the exception of a resit requirement.    

The outline timetable below lists the submission dates for each designation. You may find this helpful in setting targets for completing your work ready for submission. This timetable is for guidance only and may be subject to change each year. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your plans for study, please contact the CertAVP team.

Designated certificates 

A designated certificate is a specific modular route leading to a named qualification. 

Candidates who wish to work towards one of these qualifications must pass the A module and at least one B module. Candidates must then choose the remaining modules from a specific range of options relevant to the subject area. 

The module combination rules for each of the designated certificates are provided below. These lay out the range of options available for candidates wishing to obtain a particular designated CertAVP. 

Zoological Medicine 

Designated Certificate in Zoological Medicine (29.37 KB PDF) 

Production Animal Practice 

Certificate in Production Animal Practice (PAP) (132.37 KB PDF) 

Production Animal Practice - Cattle Health and Production 

Designated Certificate in Cattle (217.56 KB PDF) 

Production Animal Practice - Sheep Health and Production 

Designated Certificate in Sheep (94.25 KB PDF) 

Small Animal Practice 

Designated Certificate in Small Animal Practice (137.47 KB PDF) 

Small Animal Surgery 

Designated Certificate in Small Animal Surgery (93.66 KB PDF) 

Laboratory Animal Science 

Designated Certificate in Laboratory Animal Science (93.03 KB PDF) 

Synoptic assessment 

Candidates who are undertaking one of the designated certificates must take a final synoptic assessment once all the required modules have been passed. In most cases this will take the form of an oral and/or practical examination. 

Synoptic assessment 

For further information on fees, please see the link below. Please note that each module is paid individually (10-credit course fee). 

Online distance learning tuition fees 

Please search for: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (Online Distance Learning) (ICL) (PG ProfDev) 

The University has a strong and long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness.

Find out more

Applications should be made online via RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Online Distance Learning)  

Please note - this process is the same as for any applicant wishing to study at the University of Edinburgh. Once your application is successful and you have accepted your offer, our team will be in touch so that you can select your module(s). 

You are not required to complete the full application. The following elements are required: 

• Proof of your MRCVS status (reference number) 
• Scanned copy of your veterinary qualification 

If you wish to take module(s) for continuing professional development and are not a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, please indicate that you are taking this for professional development only in your application. 

Before submitting your application for your choice of Edinburgh module(s) please register for the Certificate with the RCVS. This is so that the RCVS can confirm your eligibility and log your credits as they accrue towards a full qualification. 

Register with the RCVS 

Register interest 

If you would like more information before applying for this programme, please link to the form below to register your interest. 

Register interest form 

Contact details 

Contact details for general enquiries and application information.