Vets Course
Small Animal Surgery Consolidated Learning
ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert)
HAU Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
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25 Mar - 29 Aug 2025
Advance your surgical skills with our small animal surgery programme and see an immediate return on your investment!
Our Small Animal Surgery Postgraduate Certificate CPD Programme has been developed by global surgical specialists. Gain expertise in soft tissue, orthopaedic, and spinal surgery, boosting practice revenues and job satisfaction. Experience practical training in our state-of-the-art facilities and access comprehensive online learning resources.
Our Small Animal Surgery PgC Consolidated Learning programme allows you to gain access to the content of our two year Small Animal Surgery PgC programme usually spread over two years in just five months.
This programme will give you all of the lecture-based teaching and practical skills in a condensed period giving you the opportunity to take your new knowledge and skills back to practice even more quickly. We ensure the highest academic standards across all our PgC programmes, with a route to progress to the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status.
Elevate your skills and achieve a Postgraduate Certificate
Experience our Small Animal Surgery Programme
Key features of this programme
Reflective learning
In addition to the taught modules, you will receive pre- and post-module questions to help you reflect and track your learning. This approach to reflective learning will assist you throughout your career as a veterinary surgeon
Expert speakers
Leading experts in a variety of surgical topics delivering the latest content hroughout the programme
Programme Support
Dedicated support will ensure you have all the right tools and information to support you from the start of your programme to the moment you receive your qualification
Latest clinical training environments
Convenient and state-of-art training and practical facilities in Swindon, which contain the latest equipment
World-leading online learning resources
- A copy of the Improve International Manual of Small Animal Surgery, Volumes 1: Soft Tissue and 2: Orthopaedics, edited by Dr Hannes Bergmann DrMedVet DipECVS MRCVS
- Access to Improve’s extensive online Small Animal Surgery video library with over 100 surgery-related topics
- Online forum for peer discussion
- Module notes, reading lists and papers
- Access to Harper Adams Library once registered for the PgC
Assessments and exams
All assessments and exam fees are included
Modules
13 theoretical modules and 10 practical modules
CPD hours
138
New for 2025!
Living streaming will be available for all theory modules.
Programme Details
Module Summary
- Surgical Basics: Asepsis, Instrumentation, Operative techniques and Wound healing
- Urinary and Reproductive Tract Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery I
- Gastrointestinal Surgery II
- Oral, Pharyngeal and Aural surgery
- Surgery of the Upper Airways, Larynx and Trachea
- Surgery of the Abdominal and Thoracic Cavities
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastrointestinal and Urinary Tract Surgery Practical Session
- Reconstructive Skin Surgery Practical Session
- Thoracic Surgery – Practical Session
- Head and Neck Surgery – Practical Session
- Joint Diseases of the Forelimb
- Joint Diseases of the Hindlimb
- Fracture Repair I
- Fracture Repair II
- Joint Diseases of the Forelimb Practical Session
- Joint Diseases of the Hindlimb Practical Session
- Internal Fixation I Practical Session
- Internal Fixation II Practical Session
- External Fixation and Bone Grafting Practical Session
- Spinal Surgery I
- Spinal Surgery II
Please note the module order may be subject to change
Qualifications
By attending the full structured taught programme and following successful assessment, you can gain the ISVPS General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) awarded by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) and the Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) from Harper Adams University (HAU).
The Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
The PgC represents Masters Level 7 within the Quality Assurance Agency’s framework for higher and further education. It provides 60 transferable academic credits towards the 180 required for a Master's degree in the UK or 30 ECTS credits (Europe).
On successful attainment, you will also be awarded the ISVPS GPCert(SAS) and a personalised certificate, and your name will be included in the ISVPS register of General Practitioner Certificate holders.
RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status
After completing 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. You will also need to provide evidence of Key Professional Skills knowledge to the RCVS when applying for the Advanced Practitioner Status.
General Practitioner Advanced Certificate (GPAdvCert) and Masters degree
By continuing your learning journey with us, your PgC may also be used towards an ISVPS GPAdvCert, or a Professional Master's degree (pending validation) from Harper Adams University. These qualifications will enable you to expand your knowledge and further demonstrate your skills while obtaining academic recognition.
Live streaming available for all theoretical modules
Speakers
Venue: Swindon
Date: 25 Mar - 29 Aug 2025
GPCert/PgC in Small Animal Surgery
Get in touch
Accredited by
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate
In partnership with
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out more01 - Surgical Basics: Asepsis, Instrumentation, Operative techniques and Wound healing
Key Learning Objectives:
- Revise asepsis, sterilisation and appropriate antibiosis for surgical cases
- Expand your knowledge of instrumentation and instrument handling
- Become more familiar with the uses of suture, needles, staples and clips
- Understand the principles of wound healing and how this applies to your clinical cases
- Re-visit the principles of wound management and get up-to-date with what is available now
02 - Urinary and Reproductive Tract Surgery
Key Learning Objectives:
- Develop your skills in managing renal surgery
- Extend your knowledge of obstructive diseases of the urinary tract from ureters to urethra to enhance your day-to-day management of urolithiasis
- Improve your awareness of the myriad of surgical options for urinary incontinence that are available now including colposuspension, TVT and urethral occluders
- Advance your familiarity of surgery of the male reproductive system – from prostatic omentalisation to penile and preputial procedures
- Extend the range of procedures you can offer for the female reproductive system beyond ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy
03 - Gastrointestinal Surgery I
Key Learning Objectives:
- Become familiar with the surgical approaches to salivary gland disease
- Consider oesophageal disease and when surgery may be appropriate
- Gastrotomy and gastrectomy: there is more to surgery of the stomach than just GDV
- Advance your knowledge of small intestinal disease and how your decision-making can reduce complications
- Review and revise ruptures and hernias
04 - Gastrointestinal Surgery II
Key Learning Objectives
- Improve your knowledge of large intestinal surgery and the differences between cats and dogs
- Familiarise yourself with surgical approaches to the rectum and anus
- Explore the options for liver surgery – suture, staples or electrosurgery
- Review biliary tract surgery – anatomy and surgical options
- Consolidate your knowledge of pancreatic surgery
- Splenectomy – does it need removing and if so, which technique and what are the alternatives to removal?
05 - Oral, Pharyngeal and Aural surgery
Key learning objectives:
- Become secure doing surgery of the lips, cheeks and tongue
- Improve your approach to surgical treatment of palatal abnormalities
- Maxillectomy and mandibulectomy: when and where to cut
- Become more familiar with pharyngeal surgery and your options for tonsillar surgery
- Make a considered choice for your patients between lateral wall resection, vertical canal ablation, ventral bulla osteotomy and total canal ablation/lateral bulla osteotomy
- Revise the options for surgical treatment of aural haematoma
06 - Surgery of the Upper Airways, Larynx and Trachea
Key learning objectives:
- Revise conditions of the nasal planum of the young and old to guide you when to operate
- The nasal sinuses – when does surgical access become necessary?
- Brachycephalic airway disease - a myriad of abnormalities
- Perfect your knowledge of the larynx to allow you to successfully treat a wide variety of surgical conditions - paralysis, collapse, trauma, stenosis and neoplasia
- Familiarise yourself with tracheotomy, tracheostomy, tracheal avulsion, collapse, resection/anastomosis, trauma, foreign bodies and neoplasia
07 - Surgery of the Abdominal and Thoracic Cavities
Key learning objectives:
- Perfect your approach to peritonitis by going into the detail of the pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment options
- By the end of this module you will have discovered the thrills of thoracic surgery and maybe even have answered some big questions:
- Big dog / little dog: who wins?
- Thoracostomy for pneumothorax, pyothorax and chylothorax – which tube?
- Thoracotomy – which side and which rib space?
- Lung Lobectomy – how many lobes can you take?
- PDA –is this still a surgical condition?
- Pericardectomy – how much should you take?
- PRAA – why does a regurgitating patient need a thoracotomy?
- Chylothorax – can you find the thoracic duct?
- Chest wall diseases – how far can you advance the diaphragm?
08 - Surgical Oncology
Key learning objectives:
- Revise the underlying principles of oncologic surgery to inform your surgical approaches to the most common tumours seen in practice
- Bring yourself up-to-date on all the treatment options for mast cell tumours
- Become comfortable with maxillectomy and mandibulectomy so you can approach oral tumours with more confidence
- Familiarise yourself with gastrointestinal tumours so you can optimise your patient’s outcome
- Recognise the differences between dogs and cats by learning about feline-specific tumours
09 - Gastrointestinal and Urinary Tract Surgery Practical Session
Key Learning Objectives:
- Oesophageal foreign bodies
- Maximise good outcomes for oesophageal foreign bodies by minimising the risks and complications through appropriate knowledge of anatomy, surgical technique and peri-operative care
- Gastric dilation volvulus
- Investigate which gastropexy you might choose
- Nephrectomy and nephrotomy
- Perform a ureteronephrectomy for when the whole kidney needs removing
- Develop your familiarity with partial nephrectomy for saving every precious nephron
- Investigate possible indications for nephrotomy
- Urethrostomy
- Practise urethrostomies at a variety of anatomical locations so you can select the right one for your patient
10 - Reconstructive Skin Surgery Practical Session
You will practise the following surgical procedures under supervision by the speaker.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Wound closure
- Increase your options for skin reconstruction through tension relieving techniques
- Pedicle flaps
- Become braver with pedicle flaps: advancement, rotational and transposition to help close the larger or trickier defects
- Muscle and omental flaps
- Develop your familiarity with using muscle in defects by practising the external abdominal oblique muscle flap
- Become familiar with the role of omental transposition in wound healing
- Skin grafts
- Understand skin grafts: full thickness and stamp and how to maximise their chances of success
11 - Thoracic Surgery – Practical Session
You will practise the following surgical procedures under supervision by the speaker.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Thoracotomy
- A successful thoracotomy is all in the planning : pre-operative assessment and preparation, intra-operative anatomy and surgical technique and post-operative care all work together to optimise outcomes
- Lung lobectomy
- Partial and complete lobectomy: choosing which technique to perform and reducing the risk of air leakage post-operatively
- Pericardectomy
- Understand the pros and cons of subtotal and total pericardectomy
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- These young patients require careful pre-operative management, controlled anaesthesia, precise surgical anatomical knowledge and technique, as well as appropriate post-operative care.
12 - Head and Neck Surgery – Practical Session
You will practise the following surgical procedures under supervision by the speaker.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy
- Explore the anatomy of the external ear canal
- Choose and practise how to use your instruments
- Identify top tips to avoid complications intraoperatively and post-operatively
- Ventral bulla osteotomy
- Revise the approach to the bulla
- Identify which surgical methods maximize your success
- Thyroid surgery
- Thyroidectomy in the dog for carcinoma can be an exercise in dissection – become more familiar with potential pitfalls
- Thyroidectomy in the cat is a common procedure in small animal practice – minimise complications by improving your technique
- Unilateral arytenoid lateralisation
- These cases can decompensate suddenly – ensure your knowledge of the surgical anatomy is perfected during this wet lab.
13 - Joint Diseases of the Forelimb
Key learning objectives:
- Consider the conditions of the shoulder including luxation, osteochondrosis and dysplasia and excision arthroplasty surgery
- Revise the conditions of the elbow including luxations, IOHC, elbow dysplasia, developmental disease and ununited anconeal process
- Understand developmental carpal disease, carpal hyperextension and arthrodesis and luxations of the carpus and foot
- Discuss growth plate disorders
14 - Joint Diseases of the Hindlimb
Key learning objectives:
- Discuss the pros and cons of the myriad of surgical options for the ruptured cruciate
- Consider alternative causes of stifle dysfunction than the cranial cruciate ligament
- Revise the underlying causes of patellar luxation when choosing a surgical approach
- Perfect your knowledge of hock anatomy and the conditions that affect the joint including osteochondrosis and luxation
- Review the conditions that affect the hip including dysplasia & luxation and familiarise yourself with a variety of procedures described to treat them
- Understand the pros and cons of total hip replacement
15 - Fracture Repair I
Key learning objectives:
- Understand how to perform the initial assessment of the fracture patient
- Be familiar with the descriptions and applications of fracture classification
- Apply the principles of fracture repair and decision making in fracture repair to your cases
- Appreciate the variety of methods available for fracture fixation and implants, including plating and external fixation devices
16 - Fracture Repair II
Key learning objectives:
- Understand the principles of fracture reduction, including both closed and open techniques
- Be familiar with the options for bone grafting including both cancellous and cortical grafts
- Describe the stabilisation of specific fractures of the fore and hindlimb
- Discuss the clinical approach to the following complications: Delayed union / Non-union / Mal-union / Osteomyelitis
17 - Joint Diseases of the Forelimb Practical Session
You will practise the following surgical procedures under supervision by the speaker.
Key learning objectives:
- Shoulder Joint
- Revise the surgical approaches to the joint and perform a bicipital tenotomy
- Elbow Joint
- Elbow dysplasia is a widespread and complex disease – review which surgical approaches to the joint are most appropriate for your individual cases
- Carpus
- Sometimes a salvage procedure is the only option – meticulous technique will enhance your ability to perform carpal arthrodesis
18 - Joint Diseases of the Hindlimb Practical Session
You will practise the following surgical procedures under supervision by the speaker.
Key learning objectives:
- Hip joint
- Sometimes the best option is to perform a femoral head and neck ostectomy and good technique should allow a quick return to weight bearing
- Stifle joint I
- Extracapsular repair of cranial cruciate ligament disease can still be a valid treatment provided you prioritise thorough meniscal inspection
- Stifle joint II
- Surgical correction of a luxating patella by tibial tuberosity transposition will benefit many of your small dog patients
- Tarsus
- Arthrodesis of the hock can be the only option – choose whether to perform a partial or pantarsal arthrodesis
19 - Internal Fixation I Practical Session
Key Learning Objectives
- Application of cerclages and tension band fixations
- Application of positional and lag screws
- Tibial fractures
- Medial approach to the tibia
- Application of a bone plate
- Radial fractures
- Cranio-medial / lateral approach to the radius
- Application of a bone plate
- Femoral fractures
- Lateral approach to the femur
- Application of a bone plate and an intramedullary pin (plate and rod)
20 - Internal Fixation II Practical Session
Key Learning Objectives
- Recognize the most important features to correctly approach humeral fractures.
- Approach the humeral shaft laterally.
- Apply a bone plate and an intramedullary pin (plate and rod)
- Perform a dorsal approach to the carpal joint.
- Perform a carpal arthrodesis
- Perform a medial and lateral approach to the tarsal joint.
- Perform a tarsal arthrodesis.
21 - External Fixation and Bone Grafting Practical Session
You will practise the following surgical procedures under supervision by the speaker.
- Cancellous bone grafting
- Harvest cancellous bone from the proximal humerus
- Review external fixation equipment
- Familiarise yourself with the pins, bars and clamps
- Tibial Fracture
- Surgical repair with a type II linear frame
- Comminuted Radial Fracture
- Surgical repair with a type Ib linear frame
22 - Spinal Surgery I
Key learning objectives:
- Integrate the principles of lesion localisation to your spinal cases via a systematic neurological examination and its’ interpretation
- Understand the application of neurodiagnostics
- Appreciate the approach to and management of paraplegia and tetraplegia
- Be familiar with the clinical approach to neurological emergencies, including cranial trauma and status epilepticus
23 - Spinal Surgery II
Key learning objectives:
You will practise the following surgical procedures under supervision by the speaker in the Wetlab:
- Revise the surgical options for spinal surgery according to site.
- Cervical spine
- Ventral slot procedure
- Thoracolumbar spine
- Hemilaminectomy
- Lumbosacral spine
- Dorsal laminectomy
- CSF tap and Myelography
- Identify the appropriate landmarks for acquiring CSF samples and obtaining diagnostic myelograms
Venue: Swindon
Date: 25 Mar - 29 Aug 2025
GPCert/PgC in Small Animal Surgery
Get in touch
Accredited by
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate
In partnership with
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out morePricing Billing
Small Animal Surgery Consolidated Learning
| Payment Option | First Payment | Second Payment(s) | Total Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| PgC Payment In Full - (with Exam) | £13,999.00 | - | £13,999.00 |
| PgC Deposit and Remaining Balance - (with Exam) | £2,099.00 | £11,900.00 | £13,999.00 |
| PgC Monthly Payments - (with Exam) | £2,099.00 | £3,325.00 x 4 (monthly) | £15,399.00 |
The fees include ALL registration and exam fees to achieve both a GPCert from ISVPS and a PgC from Harper Adams University.
Payment Terms & Conditions
1. Payment for the course can be paid by credit card or bank transfer.
2. Please contact us for pricing relating to corporate veterinary groups and multiple booking discounts.
3. Full details regarding the course cancellation procedure can be found here: Terms and Conditions.
Registration Information
1. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
2. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal for the next available date.
3. Where all available places are full, applicants will be offered first refusal for the next available date.
4. Confirmation and enrolment details will then be sent to confirm your booking.
Venue: Swindon
Date: 25 Mar - 29 Aug 2025
GPCert/PgC in Small Animal Surgery
Get in touch
Accredited by
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate
In partnership with
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
Find out moreFrequently Asked Questions
General Practitioner Certificates (GPCerts)
What is the criteria for enrolling in a General Practitioner Certificate programme?
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.
What is the difference between a GPCert and a 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.
Can I use this veterinary certificate programme towards my veterinary CPD hours?
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.
How long does a General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) take to achieve?
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.
I want to register for a veterinary certificate course but I may be away for some of the modules. Does this mean I will miss out?
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).
How long do I have to finish the modules for my GPCert?
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.
What resources will be available to support me through the certificate programme?
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.
How long do I have access to the course material for?
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.
How will I be assessed for the GPCert?
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.
What happens if I am not eligible to sit the assessments and/or exam with my cohort?
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.
What does the General Practitioner Certificate programme fee include?
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.
What’s not included in the certificate programme fee? Do I need to budget for further costs?
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.
Will my veterinary postgraduate qualification be recognised in other countries?
Can I take a postgraduate certificate if coming from a non-European country? How do face-to-face modules work?
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.
What is a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)?
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.
Where are the taught programmes held?
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/
I have previously achieved a GPCert. Can I use this towards a PgC?
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.
Are Improve’s Postgraduate Certificates academically equivalent to the RCVS CertAVP and other postgraduate certificates?
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.
Over what time period can I take the taught modules?
If you need to pause your studies, we have a dedicated team that will support and discuss the options that best suit you.
I want to register on a modular course but I may be away for some of the modules. Does this mean I will miss out?
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.
Will Improve’s PgCs enable me to apply for the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status?
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 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.
What resources will be available to support me through the PgC?
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.
How are Improve’s PgC programmes different to other providers?
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.
Venue: Swindon
Date: 25 Mar - 29 Aug 2025
GPCert/PgC in Small Animal Surgery
Get in touch
Accredited by
This course is accredited by ISVPS and allows you to achieve a General Practitioner Certificate
In partnership with
100% Satisfaction
We’re completely confident in the quality of our training and CPD. If you’re not 100% satisfied with your certificate course we’ll give you a 100% refund.
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