The BSAVA PgCerts are divided into two modules.
Module 1
One-day courses
Each of the 20 small units begins with a one-day course of seven hours of teaching and discussion, combining lectures and interactive case discussions. Participants will need to allow roughly 3 hours to read the course lecture notes, before and/or after the courses, which will be run monthly.
Online resources and activities
Following attendance at the taught course, you will spend 10 hours completing online activities and studying using the online resources available from the BSAVA education site.
These will vary but may include:
- Recommended reading
- Notes and lecture presentations from the taught course
- Access to podcasts (BSAVA congress MP3s), and publications from JSAP and Companion
- MCQ or short question exercises
- Case-based problem solving exercises
- Webinars
- Online moderated discussion forums
Assessment
Satisfactory completion of each of the 20 units will require attendance at the taught course and participation in all compulsory online activities, including the formative assessment. When all 20 units have been completed, there will be a formal written examination, which candidates must pass before progressing to the next section of the programme.
There will be a formative online assessment task for each unit, meaning that you will get a mark, with feedback. Please note that although this is compulsory, the mark is solely to allow you to gauge your level of understanding and will not contribute to the final result.
Module 2
Case Book
Eight cases will be presented, illustrating a variety of clinical presentations, and demonstrating the candidate’s ability to work logically through a case, to select and justify the decisions made, and to evaluate the outcome in the context of the published literature.
Participants will need to allow 200 hours for preparation of the case book.
Assessment
The submitted case books will be marked and then all candidates will undertake an oral examination (or viva), at which problem solving and decision making in any of the 8 submitted cases will be discussed.
The final award will be classified Distinction / Commendation / Pass.
Enrolment Process
You can enrol at any time throughout the year by completing the online enrolment form. We take in one cohort of students onto each programme per year, and places are offered on a first come, first served basis
We will notify you within three working days of receipt as to whether or not you have successfully secured a place. We will then send you a full enrolment pack, which must be completed, signed and returned with a non-refundable deposit of £300.00 by the stated deadline in order to confirm your place.
If numbers are such that we cannot enrol you immediately, we will place you on a waiting list and will contact you as soon as a place is available for you.
Enrolment criteria
The criteria for enrolment onto the BSAVA PgCert courses are as follows:
- Applicants must hold a veterinary qualification
- UK-based applicants must be on the RCVS Home Practising Register
- Applicants based outside the UK must hold a veterinary qualification that would entitle them to register as a member of the RCVS
- Applicants must have spent a minimum of one year in veterinary practice
- Veterinary surgeons who qualified in 2007 or later and who are based in the UK must have completed the RCVS Professional Development Phase (PDP) before they can enrol.
Fees
Students are required to pay an annual enrolment fee for each of the first 3 years of their studies.
In 2020, this fee is set at £3,620 plus VAT.
This fee covers:
- Attendance at each of the taught courses run for the programme of study during the year
- Access to all online activities and resources
- Membership and support from RCVS knowledge
- All assessment fees
- Academic and pastoral support
- Registration with Nottingham Trent University
- BSAVA membership
- Discounted admission to BSAVA Congress and on BSAVA manuals
If studies are extended, then the full enrolment fee is not payable in years 4 and 5. Students will be required to maintain their BSAVA membership, and to pay a fee each year for registration with Nottingham Trent University.
The BSAVA Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Medicine and Postgraduate Certificate in Small Animal Surgery have been evaluated and approved by Veterinary Continuous Education in Europe. (VetCEE).
VetCEE is responsible for developing a high standard for structured continuing professional development and mutual recognition across Europe. VetCEE approval of BSAVA’s Postgraduate programmes means the certificate is not only at the recognised European standard, but has also gone through vigorous evaluation by an independent panel of experts.
What is VetCEE?
VetCEE is a joint initiative of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE), European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS), Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and Union of European Veterinary Practitioners (UEVP).
Why was VetCEE set up?
While minimum standards already existed at veterinary graduate and specialist level, there was a lack of European standards for the middle-tier level for veterinary practitioners wishing to improve their clinical skills. VetCEE was created with the aim to validate the quality of these middle-tier programmes.
VetCEE will raise the quality and transparency of postgraduate training programmes, and in turn support improvement in veterinary care.
Find out more
"I absolutely loved the course, would even consider doing another PGCert in the future. It’s really helped my confidence.” (BSAVA PGCertSAM)
“I’ve done a lot of CPD over the years in different countries throughout Europe and this was the best!” (BSAVA PGCertSAM)
“It was a really well structured, useful and enjoyable course. There was a good balance between online activities and also meeting face to face with colleagues to discuss cases. It has contributed enormously towards my everyday working life”. (BSAVA PGCertSAM)
“Overall, I am really glad I sat this course. It has accelerated my career progression in a way I couldn’t have hoped for. Very friendly and approachable staff and lecturers. I particularly enjoyed the 2 or 3 days courses for getting to know others.” (BSAVA PGCertSAS)
“This has been by far the best value for money and most worthwhile CPD I have ever done. So good I’m considering signing up to another BSAVA cert in a year or two.” (BSAVA PGCertSAS)
“Truly fantastic experience that has developed my skills professionally, and opened up the opportunities to improve my patient care and job satisfaction. Wish I could have done it 10 years earlier!” (BSAVA PGCertSAS)