Frequently Asked Questions

Essential information about us

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions

About Improve

What is the difference between my IVE delegate and ISVPS candidate area?

Does course attendance go towards my CPD hours?

Tell me more about Improve Veterinary Education

Who are Improve’s partners?

General Practitioner Certificates (GPCerts)

What is the criteria for enrolling in a General Practitioner Certificate programme?

What is the difference between a GPCert and a PgC?

Can I use this veterinary certificate programme towards my veterinary CPD hours?

How long does a General Practitioner Certificate (GPCert) take to achieve?

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?

How long do I have to finish the modules for my GPCert?

What resources will be available to support me through the certificate programme?

How long do I have access to the course material for?

How will I be assessed for the GPCert?

What happens if I am not eligible to sit the assessments and/or exam with my cohort?

What does the General Practitioner Certificate programme fee include?

What’s not included in the certificate programme fee? Do I need to budget for further costs?

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?

What is a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)?

Where are the taught programmes held?

I have previously achieved a GPCert. Can I use this towards a PgC?

Are Improve’s Postgraduate Certificates academically equivalent to the RCVS CertAVP and other postgraduate certificates?

Over what time period can I take the taught modules?

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?

Will Improve’s PgCs enable me to apply for the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status?

What resources will be available to support me through the PgC?

How are Improve’s PgC programmes different to other providers?

Payments & Finance

What payment methods do you accept?

Do you offer any flexible payment plans?

What payment methods can I use for setting up a direct debit?

Do you issue separate invoices for each instalment?

Why was my Direct Debit payment not charged on the day that is established in my payment plan?

Why couldn’t I make payment during check-out?

Where can I find the bank details for the bank/wire transfer?

What happens if my circumstances change and I need to cancel my order?

When is payment for my veterinary CPD course due?

How much do the veterinary CPD courses and certificate programmes cost?

My course includes assessments with HAU, how do I make payment for these?

My CPD course includes assessments with ISVPS, how do I make payment for these?

Can I pay by Direct Debit?

Postgraduate Certificates (PgCs)

What is a Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)?

Am I eligible for the PgC programme?

How do I enrol on the PgC programme?

I have previously achieved a GPCert. Can I still upgrade to a PgC?

Is the PgC equivalent to the RCVS CertAVP, BSAVA PGCert, and other university-awarded veterinary postgraduate certificates?

How are Improve’s PgCs different from other providers?

Will a PgC enable me to apply for the RCVS Advanced Practitioner Status?

How will I be assessed for the PgC?

What does the PgC fee include?

What’s not included in the PgC fee? Do I need to budget for further costs?

Online Learning & Platform

Is there a discussion forum or way to interact with other delegates?

What happens if I lose internet connection or need to pause my session?

How do I track my progress in each online module?

Can I access course materials on mobile devices or offline?

What are the technical requirements to access online courses?

If coming from a non-European country – how would face-to-face module attendance work for the PgC?

How do I register for the GPCert and/or the PgC?

Is the PgC programme recognised by other countries?

Advanced Veterinary Nurse Certificates

What is the ISVPS Veterinary Nurse Advanced Certificate (VNAdvCert)?

Does the Nurse Advanced Certificate award postnominals?

How will I be assessed for the advanced veterinary nurse certificate?

How long is the advanced veterinary nursing programme?

What does the programme fee for the vet nurse advanced certificate include?

What’s not included in the programme fee? Do I need to budget for any other costs?

Am I eligible for the advanced veterinary nursing certificate programmes?

Accelerated Programmes

Are there live sessions or other events that require me to be connected at a specific day/time?

Who can enrol on the Accelerated Learning programmes?

What learning resources are available?

Can I enrol in the programme at the time of my preference?

How do I register for the FCert?

How often are the modules released?

When do the exams take place?

How many hours per week will I have to spend on the programme?

Advanced Veterinary Certificates

How many credits does an Advanced Certificate grant towards a postgraduate diploma or professional veterinary masters?Ā 

How will I be assessed for the ISVPS GPAdvCert?

What’s not included in the Advanced Certificate programme fee? Do I need to budget for further costs?

What does the veterinary advanced postgraduate certificate programme fee include?

Who is eligible for Advanced Certificate programmes?

What is the GPAdvCert qualification? How is it different to the GPCert?Ā 

Veterinary Nurse Certificates

What’s not included in the programme fee? Do I need to budget for any other costs?

What does the programme fee for the vet nurse certificate include?

How long does it take to study a veterinary nurse certificate programme?

How will studying a veterinary nurse certificate programme benefit me and my practice?

What are the assessments for the NCert/VPPCert?

Does the Nurse Certificate/Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate award postnominals?

What is a Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate (VPPCert)?

What is a Nurse Certificate (NCert)?

How long do I have to complete a veterinary nurse certificate?

Who is eligible for the veterinary nurse certificate programmes?

What qualifications are needed for the nurse certificate programme if coming from other countries?

Practical Sessions

Where are practical CPD courses or face-to-face modules held?

What will the timings be for face-to-face certificate modules and practical CPD sessions? How will my day be structured?

Where do the cadavers come from for the practical CPD and surgical modules/courses?

What should I wear to a practical CPD course/module?

I will be travelling from overseas, do I need a Visa?

Will the dogs used for practical CPD courses be sedated?

Will the dogs used for scanning have any abnormalities?

Are the dogs used for ultrasound CPD clipped?

Are cats used for any of the ultrasound courses?

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