Small Animal Surgery

We have two main venues for our practical modules and CPD courses:

Courses and sessions marked as ‘Swindon’ will be held in our Clinical Excellence Centre, which can be found on the Ground Floor, Delta 1200, Delta Business Park, Welton Road, Swindon, SN5 7XZ.

Courses and sessions marked as ‘Sheffield’ will be held at Benchmark House, 8 Smithy Wood Drive, Chapeltown, Sheffield S35 1QN.
Find out more about our venues and facilities.

Start times vary between 09:00 and 09:30, depending on the course you are attending. Please refer to communications from your Programme Coordinator or Practical Course Coordinator, or check the online learning platform for details. UK venues open at 08:30 to give you plenty of time to get settled in.

You will have a short morning and afternoon break to get refreshments and an hour-long lunch break.

Improve Veterinary Education established the Pet Gifting scheme several years ago, which allows local veterinary practices to offer clients the option to donate their pet to us at time of euthanasia. Please contact us or speak to a member of the team at the venue if you would like more information.

Practical surgical sessions, held in the wet labs, will have PPE provided (surgical gowns). You may chose to bring scrubs, if you wish. For modules/courses involving live dogs (including ultrasound and physiotherapy courses), we recommend bringing a scrub top. No open-toed shoes are to be worn for practical modules.

Delegates attending face-to-face or practical CPD from overseas may require a Visa in order to participate in sessions. Please seek advice from your local embassy in relation to exact requirements. Improve Veterinary Education (IVE) does not provide support in obtaining Visas, but we can supply documentation to support your application. Please also note that a Student Tier 4 Visa is not applicable because IVE is a private education provider.

No, we do not sedate dogs used in practical CPD courses, including ultrasound scanning courses. The dogs we use are chosen for their relaxed and compliant temperament and if they show signs of distress, they are removed and allowed to settle.

The dogs we use are clinically fit and healthy. We are not able to source animals with specific problems and we feel that would be unethical. Learning to accurately scan and assess normal physiology is the best approach when teaching ultrasonography.

We are very grateful to the owners of dogs who allow their dogs to be used for our ultrasound CPD. We always ask the owners whether their dog can be clipped and make them aware of the benefit to our vets and nurses of having a clipped patient. However, clipping is sometimes denied, especially if the dog has previously had clipper rash, as many of our ultrasound scanning dogs are return patients. We find enabling the ultrasound gel to soak in by applying in advance allows non-clipped dogs to be used.

We do not provide cats for any practical ultrasound courses or modules, due to the stress this would cause to the animal through transportation and restraint. As it is not clinically necessary to scan the cat, it would not be ethical to use them for learning purposes.

The RCVS has introduced an updated process for reviewing and accrediting postgraduate certificates that lead to eligibility for Advanced Practitioner (AP) Status. This aims to ensure that the AP designation continues to be a robust and meaningful recognition of advanced veterinary knowledge and skills. 

How does this affect my programme with Improve Veterinary Education?
If your programme was previously RCVS–approved, it remains eligible for AP applications during the 18-month transition (“bedding-in”) period announced by the RCVS. 

Will my programme still count towards AP status after the transition period?
Yes, we have proactively submitted all eligible programmes for reassessment under the new RCVS criteria and are confident they will be endorsed again. 

What about new programmes or those launching soon?
Any new programmes (not previously approved) will be prioritised for submission to ensure they are reviewed under the new process as soon as possible. 

Will there be any changes to the quality or format of my training?
No, all our programmes continue to be independently quality assured by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) and Harper Adams University (HAU). Our rigorous examinations and assessments remain unchanged. 

Who can I contact if I have questions or concerns?
Our team is here to support you. Please reach out to us at enquiries@improveinternational.com or 01793 759159 with any queries about your programme. 

The Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) is a recognised academic qualification that will demonstrate that you have achieved a certain standard in your subject or discipline. The PgC provides 60 academic credits and is positioned at Masters Level 7 within the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) framework for higher and further education. This makes the PgC equivalent to the RCVS CertAVP and the BSAVA PGCert as well as other ‘Level 7’ qualifications. Our PgCs are validated by Harper Adams University. The 60 credits from the PgC can be used towards achieving a Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) or Professional Masters (MProf), which represent 120 credits and 180 credits respectively. For more information about continuing to these higher awards, please contact our team.

Please note that not all GPCerts are eligible to continue to PgCs – check individual programme details for more information.

In addition to the GPCert criteria detailed above, vets who wish to complete the Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) after their General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) assessments need to have been in clinical practice for a year before starting the GPCert programme. UK-based applicants must be on the RCVS home practicing register, while applicants from outside the UK must hold a qualification that would entitle them to register as a member of the RCVS.

By choosing to pursue a PgC certification, you will be automatically enrolled in both the GPCert and PgC courses, along with their respective assessment requirements. You will need to register separately with both ISVPS (for the GPCert) and Harper Adams University (for the PgC) to receive their designated certifications. Instructions for how to do this will be provided at the start of your programme.

In programmes where the GPCert and PgC are offered separately, delegates have the option to “upgrade” to the PgC. This upgrade will be reviewed in collaboration with your programme coordinator (IVE) and the Customer Success Team (ISVPS) to confirm eligibility and provide support. You can upgrade anytime within 4 years of receiving the GPCert award.  Please note there will be additional costs to upgrade to the PgC.

As long as you were qualified as a vet for at least a year before you started the GPCert and you have done all of the GPCert course, you are able to “upgrade” from a GPCert to a PgC within 4 years of the GPCert exam date. Please contact ISVPS for further information – they will help you check eligibility and register with HAU for any further modules/assessments. 

Yes. Each veterinary postgraduate certificate is a recognised higher education qualification. The qualification represents Level 7 (Masters) within the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It provides 60 transferable academic credits at this level. Our PgCs are validated at this level by Harper Adams University, while other veterinary postgraduate certificate providers are validated by other universities. The PgC, CertAVP and PGCert are all Level 7, providing 60 credits, and are therefore, by definition, academically equivalent.

At Improve Veterinary Education, we pride ourselves on delivering CPD that meets the needs of busy vets in practice. We’ve been developing courses and programmes for over 25 years, combining modern learning technologies and time-honoured teaching principles. We don’t just deliver modular programmes – we pioneered them. Our world-renowned speakers are not only experts in their field, they’re excellent lecturers too, seamlessly blending theory with hands-on practical sessions where they’re appropriate. Many of our PgCs can be studied entirely online with our world-leading learning platform, enabling vets to study from the comfort of home. For more information about what it’s like studying with us or how our modern, immersive learning technologies ensure that studying for an online veterinary certificate is interactive, see our Content Hub. 

After you have successfully obtained your Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) you can apply for the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status. This is subject to meeting all of the other entry requirements set out by the RCVS in the Applicant Guidance Notes. The following programmes can lead to a PgC enabling you to apply for the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status:

• Cardiology
• Dentistry & Oral Surgery
• Dermatology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Emergency Medicine & Surgery.
• Exotic Animal Practice
• Feline Practice
• Ophthalmology
• Small Animal Medicine
• Small Animal Surgery

* Please note, you can achieve a PgC in Endoscopy and Endosurgery and Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery, but currently the RCVS does not list Endoscopy & Endosurgery and Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery as a designated Advanced Practitioner subject so it is not possible to apply for the Advanced Practitioner status with this qualification.

For Small Animal Medicine and Small Animal Surgery, there is an additional requirement for evidence of Professional Key Skills CPD, access to this will be provided at the end of your programme. There will be an additional fee to complete this with Harper Adams University, please contact us for more information.

Find out more about RCVS Advanced Practitioner status.

In addition to the GPCert assessments, delegates studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate will need to complete and pass additional ISVPS assessments, consisting of a Case Report (pass mark 50%) and Case Log. The Case Log consists of multiple cases which will have been completed in practice during the time period of the programme. Delegates studying towards a PgC in Cardiology, Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Dermatology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency Medicine & Surgery, Exotic Animal Practice, Endoscopy & Endosurgery, Feline Practice and Ophthalmology additionally undertake the distance learning Advanced Practitioner module with HAU, which requires further assessments.

Delegates taking the PgC in Small Animal Medicine or Small Animal Surgery take an additional Veterinary Professional Skills Module with HAU only if they want to apply for RCVS Advanced Practitioner status.

You must have attended all modules in order to be eligible to sit the examinations and submit the assessments.

In addition to the resources included in the course fee for the GPCert, the course fee for the PgC includes a subscription to Harper Adam’s online e-library providing access to 1,000s of scientific articles and abstracts, registration with HAU, and HAU exam fees (first attempt only)

The PgC programme fee does not include:

• Travel and accommodation costs if needed
• Assessment fees or exam fees after the first attempt
• Missed module fees if you haven’t notified us in writing more than 14 days before the module date
• Access to further textbooks, libraries, and journals of your choice.

If you wish to take the Veterinary Professional Skills Module (required for RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status) with HAU, this is also not included.

We accept payments by credit card/debit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and bank transfer (BACS).

It is not possible to set up a payment plan for short or practical CPD courses. However, vet and vet nurse/paraprofessional certificate programmes have payment plans available, allowing you to pay a deposit for enrolment and then monthly instalments. Details about the amount and number of instalments can be found in the pricing tab for each programme on our website.

Not all payment methods can be used for direct debit due to their technical characteristics. For direct debit you can use a debit card, a credit card, or your bank account number.

Before starting to pay instalments, you will receive an invoice detailing the remaining balance (e.g the remaining amount after deducting the deposit you’ve paid from the total cost of the enrolment).

Your instalment payments will be allocated against this invoice, which reduces the outstanding amount with each instalment you pay. There won’t be a separate invoice for each instalment.

Depending on the payment method chosen for the Direct Debit the payment can take more days to be processed. For example, credit and debit card payments will be charged immediately and might appear on the same or the next day in your bank account statement. However, payments charged on your bank account (BACS/SEPA payments) might take up to 5 business days to be processed.

There might be other reasons for the payment not being processed. Here are the main reasons:

• Insufficient funds on the account
• Transaction is not authorised by the bank
• Card used for the payment has expired
• Card issuer suspected fraud and declined transaction

If the transaction has been declined by the bank, please contact them to discuss the problem, then try again to make the payment.

• Bad internet connection.
• Amount you have tried to pay is much higher than your daily spending pattern so your bank didn´t authorise the transaction for safety reasons.
• You have exceeded the limit of the transactions per day.
• Missing Strong Customer Authentication.
• Insufficient funds on the account.

If you wish to pay for your CPD course or certificate programme by bank transfer (BACS), the bank details are at the bottom of the invoice.

According to our terms and conditions you have a 14-day cooling off period from the date your order was placed. If you cancel your order within this time, your full order will be refunded. If your circumstances change after the 14 days have passed and it is more than 30 days from the start day of the CPD course you would be liable for the deposit, and the rest will be refunded to you. If it is less than 30 days from the start date of the course you would be liable for the full cost of the course. We are sometimes able to offer the option to defer to another cohort or to substitute another person into the place on the course. Please contact our friendly team for more information.

• Full payment – the total amount of the enrolment price must be paid within 30 days of registration.
• Deposit + remaining amount – deposit for the enrolment must be paid within 5 days of registration, while the remaining amount of the enrolment must be paid up to 30 days before the course starting date.
• Deposit + instalments – deposit for the enrolment must be paid within 5 days of registration, while the remaining amount of the enrolment will be split into instalments and paid once per month following an established payment plan.

The cost of any CPD course or veterinary certificate programme, including applicable payment schedules, can be found in the ‘pricing’ tab of any programme page.

For those taking a programme that includes a HAU qualification (eg a PgC programme), the cost of the assessments is included in the fees. However, this only applies to first attempts – if you require a re-sit, you’ll need to pay HAU directly. Please contact our team for more information on how to do this.

For those taking a programme that includes an ISVPS qualification, the cost of the assessments is included in the programme fee. However, this only applies to first attempts – if you require a re-sit, you’ll need to pay ISVPS directly. If you need more information, contact our friendly team.

Yes …..

Yes! We believe in peer learning and support, so we’ve built a forum into our online programmes. Each module typically has a dedicated forum where you can post questions or reply to discussions. Your module tutor also has access so they can help guide discussions and provide help and advice. Look for “Add discussion topic” to begin a new discussion in a forum or “Reply” to add a reply within an existing discussion.

In most lessons and quizzes, your progress is saved automatically. If your connection drops, simply re-open the module once you’re back online and navigate back to where you left off. If you continue to experience disruptions, contact support or your programme coordinator.

Most modules feature an overall progress bar and tick boxes per lesson and Week. Refer to your “My Courses” page or the module main pages to see what has been completed and what remains for your courses and modules respectively.

The platform and content are designed to be viewed on most smartphones and tablets.

You will need an active internet connection to load interactive lessons, quizzes, and videos. Some PDFs or notes may be downloadable for offline reference.

To access an online course, you’ll need a stable internet connection. Some courses may have downloadable PDFs to read through offline, but interactive components require being online.

You’ll also need an up-to-date web browser (such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari). The online learning platform is optimised to work on all major browsers; however, we recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari. Make sure you update your browser regularly.

For video content, audio devices (speakers or headphones) are recommended.

• We will endeavour to allocate you face-to-face modules close together in date (e.g. within the same week) to reduce the numbers of trips to the UK required but these dates are restricted so you should be aware that you may have to make separate trips as places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
• It is your responsibility to check visa requirements and ensure that you have relevant documents in place well in advance of travel.
• Delegates attending from outside of Europe may require visas in order to participate in our face-to-face programmes. Please note that the Student Tier 4 visa is not applicable to Improve Education Delegates as a result of us being a private education provider. Further guidance on your entry requirements should be checked with your local embassy.
• Improve Education does not provide support in obtaining visas but can provide supporting documentation to support your application if requested.

• Registration is made directly to ISVPS (for the GPCert) and HAU (for the PgC) – you will be provided with contact details allowing you to complete their registration forms
• Ideally, the decision to aim for the PgC should be made within the first two months of the programme starting to enable you to benefit from the HAU library access and select your face to face modules if applicable to your programme

The PgC is worth 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits but delegates are advised to check with their local governing body for the relevance of these credits in their country.

In order to enrol onto any Improve Veterinary Education Veterinary Certificate Programme, delegates must be qualified veterinary surgeons. If you intend to take the assessments to achieve the ISVPS GPCert, UK-based applicants must also be on the RCVS Home Practicing Register. Please note there are additional requirements if you intend to continue from GPCert to the PgC – see PgC FAQs below if your certificate programme is eligible for the PgC.

The ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) is a peer-recognised veterinary postgraduate award. The Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) is a university Level 7 postgraduate certificate awarded by Harper Adams University. While all our postgraduate programmes provide the teaching for the GPCert qualification, not all are eligible for the PgC. Where the subject is eligible for both, candidates have the option of continuing to the PgC by taking a further ISVPS assessments and in some disciplines an additional module and assessment with HAU. The awards you can achieve after the teaching programme are listed in the course details.

Yes you can. In the UK, CPD requirements for vets and nurses are set by the RCVS. Currently, there are no limitations to what you can use towards CPD, but the RCVS recommend planning your CPD to best support your professional development. Taking a General Practitioner Certificate is an excellent way to do this, and details about CPD hours provided is available on the specific programme details. You will receive a certificate at the end of each module to help you evidence your CPD with the RCVS using the 1CPD platform/app. Don’t forget you’ll also need to reflect on your CPD. More tips on planning and completing your CPD can be found in our Content Hub.

GPCert programmes vary in length depending on the discipline, but most certificates take 8-24 months to study. Start and end dates can be found in the table on the right of the course details page, and more information about the planned timings for each session in the veterinary certificate programme can be found in the ‘modules’ tab. Module dates will be confirmed in your MyImprove area once you’ve started the course.

No. We understand that you are busy professionals, and we aim to be as flexible as possible. First, check to see whether an online or blended programme is available before you enrol in the course – you may be able to study these more flexibly, or remotely while you are away.

If you still need to miss a compulsory module, we’ll need advance notice. We will make every effort to find you an alternative venue and date, or stream/record the session. If the alternative dates don’t suit, you can request to transfer attend the missed module when the programme runs the following edition/year. Module transfer will need to be made in writing The only restriction is that you need to attend all of the taught modules before you can sit the relevant ISVPS examination, and you’ll need to complete the certificate (including assessments) within 7 years of your course start date (see below for more details).

The certificate must be achieved within 7 years of starting your course, or 4 years of the course completion (whichever is sooner). We recommend completing the modules and taking the examination at the earliest opportunity to ensure that your learning is still fresh and current.

It’s a big undertaking to study a veterinary certificate programme, but we provide plenty of resources to help you succeed. The Improve Online Learning Platform provides access to a course notes library, delegate discussion forum, and other study resources including webinars.

A dedicated team of Programme Coordinators and Customer Success Advisors will be on hand to support every individual during their postgraduate certificate programme, assessments and examinations to ensure a rewarding and successful learning journey. You may also find your Module Tutor a good source of support.

Delegates on specific certificate courses may also receive further resources in the form of one of our “Improve International Manual of” books if relevant to their course. The full list of manuals we have available can be found here.

You’ll retain access to our online learning platform for a year after your veterinary postgraduate certificate course ends (which includes the first exam opportunity). This means you can re-watch videos or check things in your notes easily when faced with new cases in practice. We also recommend downloading your course notes or making your own while on the programme to help you look up techniques in future.

At the beginning of the certificate programme, you will receive a syllabus and specific learning objectives for all of the taught modules. During the programme, you should document your current knowledge and skills prior to each module and undertake an informal short multiple-choice exercise. After the module, you can then undertake a further multiple-choice exercise, allowing you to demonstrate and reflect on the knowledge gained and implement a strategy to address any outstanding knowledge and skills gaps via independent study. 

While the exact assessments vary depending on the veterinary postgraduate certificate you’re studying, they usually include:

• A 90-minute online Case-Based Scenario (CBS) examination, focusing on the management of in-depth clinical cases, to assess case-based decision making, for which the pass mark is 60%
• A 90-minute Online Applied Knowledge Examination (OAKE) with a variety of questions, which assesses a candidate’s application of clinical knowledge, for which the pass mark is 60%

You will receive the exact details of exam dates and requirements once you start your certificate programme, but you can also contact ISVPS for more information. Please note that there are additional assessments to receive the PgC, which are covered in detail below if your course is eligible for a PgC.

If for some reason you are not able to sit the assessments for the GPCert with your cohort, you would be entered for the next opportunity, as long as you are within the time frame for completion. Since your course access runs for one year from the end of your course, you may need to pay an additional fee to continue accessing the course for later exam opportunities.

The GPCert programme fee includes:

• Learning materials
• Access to the online learning platform
• Registration with ISVPS and exam fee (first attempt only)
• Access to a programme coordinator and customer success team
• Refreshments and lunch (during face-to-face and practical sessions only – not included in online-only programmes)

Some course fees also include a veterinary textbook to help you study.

Those progressing to the PgC also have included additional benefits – see PgC FAQs below if this course is eligible.

The programme fee does not include:

• Travel and accommodation costs if needed for your course
• Assessment fees or exam fees after the first attempt
• Missed module fees if you haven’t notified us in writing more than 14 days before the module date
• Access to further textbooks, libraries, and journals of your choice.

If you intend to continue to the PgC, please also see the PgC FAQs below for more information.

We have offices in several countries, allowing delegates to take courses all over the world. In addition, our online certificates can be studied completely remotely, allowing increased access from those in other countries.

UK face-to-face courses are held in UK venues – delegates should ensure they are able to attend these sessions prior to booking. Delegates attending from outside of Europe may require Visas in order to participate. Please note that the Student Tier 4 Visa is not applicable to Improve Veterinary Education delegates as a result of us being a private education provider. Further guidance on your entry requirements should be checked with your local embassy.

Improve Veterinary Education does not provide support in obtaining Visas but can provide supporting documentation to support your application if requested.

The PgC is a university qualification that provides 60 academic credits. The qualification is positioned at Masters Level 7 within the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) framework for higher and further education. The 60 credits can be used towards achieving a Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) or Masters (MRes), which represent 120 credits and 180 credits respectively. The PgC is a recognised academic qualification that will demonstrate that you have achieved a certain standard in that subject. In order to progress to the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) you will need to have been in practice for at least a year prior to starting the GPCert programme. 

Please check individual programme details with respect to those which are eligible for PGC status. 

Our Medicine and Surgery programmes are held at various locations in the UK;

Small Animal Surgery- Swindon, Hatfield and Sheffield *
*consolidated programmes only available at Sheffield venue

Small Animal Medicine – Swindon

Our Clinical Postgraduate Programmes are held at our Swindon and Sheffield training centres, see the individual programmes for venue information.

We have excellent wet-lab facilities in Swindon and Sheffield, with state-of-the-art practical training equipment and technology.

To find out more about our venues, click here: https://www.improveinternational.com/uk/venue/

You are able to “upgrade” from a GPCert to a PgC within 5 years of the GPCert exam date. Please contact ISVPS for further information – ISVPS.

Yes. Each PgC is a recognised higher education qualification as validated by Harper Adams University. The qualification represents Level 7 (Masters) within the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It provides 60 transferable academic credits at this level. The qualifications are therefore, by definition, academically equivalent.

If you need to pause your studies, we have a dedicated team that will support and discuss the options that best suit you.

No. We understand that you are busy professionals and aim to be as flexible as possible.

Whilst we need advance notice if you are going to be unable to attend a particular module, we will make every effort to find you an alternative venue and date. If the alternative dates don’t suit, you can attend the missed module when the programme runs the following year. The only restriction is that you need to attend all of the taught modules before you can sit the relevant ISVPS examination.

After you have successfully obtained your Postgraduate Certificate you can apply for the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status. This is subject to meeting all of the other entry requirements set out by the RCVS in the Applicant Guidance Notes.

The following programmes are recognised PgCs enabling you to apply for the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status:

Small Animal Medicine, Small Animal Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Feline Practice, Exotic Animal Practice, Cardiology, Dentistry & Oral Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging and Emergency Medicine & Surgery.

* Currently the RCVS does not list Endoscopy & Endosurgery and Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery as a designated Advanced Practitioner subject so it is not possible to apply for the Advanced Practitioner Status. 

For Small Animal Medicine and Small Animal Surgery, there is an additional requirement for evidence of Professional Key Skills CPD, access to this will be provided at the end of your programme. There will be an additional fee to complete this with Harper Adams University, please contact us for more information.

For further information please see RCVS website.

All delegates will receive a subscription to Harper Adam’s online e-library providing access to 1,000s of scientific articles and abstracts.

Medicine delegates will be provided with Improve Veterinary Education’s Manual of Small Animal Medicine Vol 1 and 2 and Surgery delegates with Improve Veterinary Education’s Manual of Small Animal Surgery Vol 1 and 2.

The Improve Online Learning Platform provides access to a notes library, discussion forum and other study resources including webinars.

A dedicated Programme Coordinator will support every individual during their PgC programme to ensure a rewarding and successful learning journey.

ISVPS will provide support with assignments.

Improve’s modular training programmes have been developed over a period of 20 years and are taught by world-renowned experts in their field.  They successfully blend theoretical lectures with hands-on practical sessions where appropriate and delegates also have access to valuable online learning components.