Frequently Asked Questions

Improve Veterinary Education was established in 1998 by a group of veterinary surgeons from across the UK, including a number of recognised experts. We provide the highest quality CPD in a format that allows you to develop your skills and knowledge in a logical and progressive fashion, under the supervision of dedicated Course Directors, each of whom has the highest qualifications in his or her field.

Our courses are run in venues across the UK and also in a number of other countries including Spain, Portugal and Italy.

We are in partnership with Harper Adams University (HAU) and the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) to ensure the highest academic standards.

Harper Adams University

Founded in 1901, HAU has a long, proud tradition of the highest educational standards and is widely recognised for the quality of its education. HAU validate Improve’s PgC programmes and ensures the teaching elements and examination processes meet the highest academic standards.

ISVPS

Is an awarding body who accredits and awards veterinary qualifications. They provide assessments in the form of assignments and examinations for all programmes.

Yes. You will receive a certificate of attendance for every course attended which you can use towards your CPD hours.

No…

Payments can be made by bank transfer. We offer flexible payment options on our modular programmes, see the individual programmes for more information.

International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) was established in 2003 with the remit of accrediting veterinary CPD and awarding a range of Certificates on an international basis. ISVPS has extensive experience in the veterinary industry of providing assessments that assess knowledge and understanding for training courses that have been accredited by them.

No. Many previous delegates have completed courses with no desire to enrol for a certificate and have benefited enormously.

All applicants must:

• Hold a veterinary qualification
• Have spent a minimum of one year in veterinary practice

The GPCert is a middle-tier qualification awarded to veterinary surgeons who successfully complete a dedicated modular training programme accredited by ISVPS and the associated ISVPS assessments. Only registered veterinary surgeons who have been qualified for a minimum of one year can apply to undertake a General Practitioner Certificate.

• • To achieve a GPCert you must:
  • • Complete the modular training programme
    • Submit a case report (number of words defined by ISVPS)
    • Sit an online multiple-choice examination
    • An online applied knowledge examination (OAKE)
    • Sit a case-based scenario (CBS) examination

ISVPS are responsible for the invigilation of the exam using an independent invigilation company. More details can be found here.

Yes, the full programme to achieve the GPCert is all online with the exception of the Surgery programme.

All ISVPS assessments are uploaded to the candidates’ area via the ISVPS website. You will be given a login to the candidates’ area when you register with ISVPS.

• Registration is made directly to ISVPS (for the GPCert) – you will be provided with contact details allowing you to complete their registration forms

• Online modules cannot be deferred without losing the real-time interactive engagement with the Module Tutor   
• Face to face modules (where relevant to your programme) can be deferred provided you complete all modules within 3 years of beginning the programme

These dogs are not being scanned for any diagnostic purpose and consequently, it would be unethical to sedate them.

We are only able to provide dogs that are ‘normal’ for scanning courses since the scanning does not take place in a veterinary clinic with appropriate facilities. We believe that being able to accurately identify normal ultrasonographic appearance is the most important part of learning how to scan dogs with abnormalities.

We are very grateful to the owners of dogs who allow their dogs to be used. They are made aware of the benefit of clipping these dogs for scanning, but we cannot clip them without permission and sometimes have to choose between not accepting a dog for scanning where permission to clip has been denied and not having enough dogs for the scanning session. Many of the dogs who are return visitors have clipping declined on subsequent visits due to clipper rash after a previous visit. We find using plentiful amounts of water enabling the ultrasound gel to soak in by applying in advance allows non-clipped dogs to be used.

We consider it inappropriate to provide cats for ultrasound scanning due to the stress of transportation and restraint without sedation. We will not be providing live cats for any of our scanning courses/modules.