Have you got a query about any aspect of BSAVA education?
Find out all you need to know in the FAQs section below.
If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Email courses@bsava.com or call us on +44 (0)1452 726700. Our office hours are 8:30 – 17:00, Monday to Friday.
For a more comprehensive list of FAQ’s please visit our Help/FAQs Page
Q. Do BSAVA courses and attendance at a regional courses count towards my CPD Hours?
A. Yes, all BSAVA CPD courses and events contribute towards your professional development and may be recorded in your CPD log.
Q. How do I access my CPD log?
A. You can access your CPD log online via MyBSAVA > My CPD.
Q. Which BSAVA region am I in?
A. You can find out which region you live/practice in by referring to the BSAVA regional map.
Q. Can I only go to courses in my region?
A. You are welcome to attend courses in any of the BSAVA regions.
Q. Why do the prices vary depending on the region?
A. Prices for the BSAVA regions are set by the regional volunteers; this means that they are able to offer the best possible value, whilst taking into account venue, food and note costs where appropriate.
Q. How do I suggest a topic for a regional course?
A. Our regional volunteers are always interested in finding out what courses you’d like to see. You can put forward your suggestions by emailing them using the contact details on your regional CPD page.
Q. How do I book a place on a course?
A. You can book a place on your course of choice via the BSAVA CPD booking page.
Q. Who can take part in Professional Key Skills CPD?
A. Any paying BSAVA member can take part in the Professional Key Skills CPD. It is open to both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, and is free of charge.
Q. How do I gain access to Professional Key Skills CPD?
A. All you need to do is email courses@bsava.com and ask to be enrolled. We will set up an individual user profile for you and send you your personal login details by email, along with details of how to access the CPD.
Q. How many CPD hours can I claim for the Professional Key Skills CPD?
A. There are 6 sections, each set at 20 CPD hours. You can complete one, all or any combination of sections and claim the corresponding number of CPD hours.
Q. Is a CPD certificate available?
A. Yes. Once you have completed the section(s) you would like to study, you simply need to email courses@bsava.com to claim your electronic CPD certificate. You can claim a certificate for each individual section, or claim one certificate for several completed sections.
Q. Is there a time limit for completion of the CPD?
A. There is no time limit, provided you remain a BSAVA member throughout the course of your studies.
Q. Do I need special equipment to view and listen to a webinar?
A. All you need is a computer with broadband internet access. Provided your computer has speakers, you will be able to view and listen to the webinar. You don’t need to purchase any specialist software; the first time you attend a webinar, you will be prompted to download the free webinar software, which will take a few minutes.
Q. Do I need to be a computer expert?
A. No. Once you have booked, you will receive an email containing a link, and explaining how to join the webinar. Joining is very simple and requires no specialist knowledge or expertise.
Q. Will I be able to ask questions?
A. If you attend the live webinar, you will be able to ask questions by typing these into a chat box on the webinar screen. The speaker will read out and answer as many of the questions as possible. This won’t be possible, of course, if you are watching the recorded version.
Q. What happens if I miss the live webinar?
A. All the webinars will be recorded, and the recorded version will be available for viewing within 24 hours of the live presentation. You will be able to watch the recorded webinar at a time convenient to you.
Q. Can I get a certificate of attendance?
A. A certificate is available within our Webinars section, providing an attendance certificate. If you only view the recorded event, you can enter this yourself onto your CPD record card.
Q. What is the criteria for enrolment?
A. You must be a veterinary nurse registered in the UK. Due to the nature of the final case study, it is preferable for you to be working in practice. However, if you are not in practice but still wish to enrol, please contact us..
Q. Are the VN Merit Awards accredited by a professional examining body?
A. This course is not accredited; rather it provides high-quality CPD that will enhance your theoretical and practical understanding of a subject area. If you complete the course successfully, you will receive a certificate and a badge.
Q. How many hours of CPD does the VN Merit Award count towards?
A. On completion of the VN Merit Award, you will have gained 30 hours of professional CPD.
Q. When can I book onto a course?
A. Our courses become available online approximately 6 months prior to the start date.
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:
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.
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.
If you still require assistance, please contact administration@bsava.com or call +44 (0)1452 726700 and provide as much information as possible. If your question is of a technical nature please contact ITSupport@bsava.com to raise a support ticket. If possible, please include your membership or account number if known.
Contact information can be found here. Please note: the BSAVA cannot answer veterinary enquiries from the general public. Please contact your local veterinary surgery or veterinary hospital.
