Frequently Asked Questions

All of our program are RACE-accredited, meaning you can use them towards your CE hours in states that use the RACE system. The number of RACE hours your program counts for is listed on each program details page, along with the RACE logo.

For more information about the RACE system, see our blog article.

We are pleased to be able to offer the GPCert/PgC programs to vets in the US. The requirements for entry are:

• You must be a qualified veterinarian, with evidence of your degree (eg a diploma)
• You must have a year’s experience in practice before starting the program

If you’d like to check your eligibility, please get in touch with our CE Advisors who would be happy to help.

• Online modules can be deferred but you will lose the real-time interactive engagement with the Module Tutor
• Face-to-face modules (where relevant to your program) can be deferred provided you complete all modules within 3 years of beginning the program.
• All intentions to defer must be made in writing to your program coordinator, or speak to our CE Advisors if you know you’ll miss or defer a module in advance.

Please note, the GPCert 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.

The PgC is a university qualification positioned at Masters Level 7 within the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) framework for higher and further education. The PgC is a recognized academic qualification which will demonstrate that you have achieved a certain standard in that subject.

To achieve the PgC, you’ll take a further module after you’ve passed your GPCert assessments, and then take the PgC assessments.

To find out more about how to achieve the PgC please contact us for further information.

• We will endeavor to allocate you face-to-face modules close together in date (e.g. within the same week) to reduce the number 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 order in advance of travel
• Delegates attending from outside of Europe may require visas in order to participate in our face to face programs. 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 visa(s) but can provide supporting documentation to support your application if requested

The teaching for the GPCert and the PgC program are the same. To continue on to a PgC, vets have to complete a final module and the PgC assessments after completing the GPCert assessments. Please contact our CPD advisors for further information.

When you register for one of our programs, the fees for the GPCert are included. However, you’ll need to register for the assessments directly with ISVPS. Full instructions and contact details will be provided in your MyImprove area once the course begins.

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

The Foundation Certificate (FCert) is a first-tier qualification awarded to veterinarians who successfully complete a dedicated modular training program and the associated assessments accredited by the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS). Only graduated veterinarians can apply to undertake a Foundation Certificate.

The full ISVPS exam fee is included in the program price, however, registration confirmation is required and must be done directly with ISVPS. You will be provided with ISVPS contact details allowing you to complete the registration forms. All the assessments are online.

ISVPS is responsible for the exam using an independent invigilation company. More details can be found here (https://www.isvps.org/p/en).

Improve Veterinary Education (part of the Improve International Group) is a world leader in veterinary postgraduate training and education. Improve Veterinary Education was established in 1998 by a group of veterinarians from across the UK, including a number of recognized experts. We provide the highest quality CE in a format that allows you to develop your skills and knowledge logically and progressively, under the supervision of dedicated Course Directors, each of whom has the highest qualifications in their field.

Improve Veterinary Education partners with some of the best and most highly recognized organizations in the veterinary market in order to further enhance the quality of our training, see our sponsors here.

• Our short practical courses are aimed to help all veterinary professionals who are looking to become proficient in the described techniques and gain more confidence while becoming better in their field of expertize.
• The online learning CE programs that can lead to the GPCert /VTCert are designed for professionals who want to increase and broaden their knowledge in specific areas of veterinary medicine and want to gain an internationally recognized certification.
• Delegates who are planning to complete the postgraduate certificate must have been working in veterinary practice for at least one year prior to joining the course. (Not applicable to VTCert and VPPCert programmes)

Payments can be made by credit card or bank transfer, depending on the course you will be attending. For all one and two-day courses, payment is due upon registration.
We offer flexible payment options for our modular programs.
See individual programs for more information.

Typically, an in-person course will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with two coffee breaks and lunch.

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.

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. Some programs also have a live Q and A with module tutors, or live discussions with other delegates.

You will spend on average 3-4 hours per week. Preparation of assessments and revising for the final exam is additional depending on your route.

• Online interactive lessons
• Notes to support every week of lessons
• Reading list
• Module Tutor (diploma holder in their field)
• Program Co-ordinator
• Discussion Forum
• Pre- and post-module questions
• Summary videos at the end of each week

All applicants must hold a veterinary qualification.

Delegates who are planning to complete the postgraduate certificate must have been working in veterinary practice for at least one year prior to joining the course.

At the beginning of the month, the content for weeks 1 and 2 will be released. At the beginning of the 3rd week of the month, the remaining content will be released. All content will be available for one year after the course ends. You can subsequently renew your access to the platform by paying an annual fee (price available upon request).

No, there are no live sessions or any obligation to be online on a defined day/hour. You will have support from the Module Tutor during the month the module is live, so we advise you to complete the learning activities within that time (one month) and to take the opportunity to upload questions on the discussion forum.

Once a module has gone live, all the content will remain available and you can continue to access it whenever you want, at your own pace, on your computer, or tablet.

Some courses/modules may have live webinars applicable which will be recorded if you are unable to attend.

No, the program has an order that must be followed. You can always review the lessons you have already completed but it is not possible to access lessons before the month when they are planned to be live.

The GPCert is a middle-tier qualification awarded to veterinarians who successfully complete a dedicated modular training program accredited by ISVPS and the associated ISVPS assessments.

Please contact us for further information about the assessments.

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.

For up to date exam dates please visit www.isvps.org

These programs are postgraduate qualifications and require a sound knowledge of veterinary anatomy, physiology, and nursing prior to entry. In order to enroll in a VTCert you must hold a recognized Veterinary Technician qualification. Proof of qualification will be required.

When you register on our program and pay the program fee, you will be automatically registered to take the assessments for the VTCert/VPPCert qualification. However, you can choose to opt out and take the course (and CE hours) only – but please note, without taking the assessment, you will not be eligible to receive the VTCert/VPPCert award in your chosen discipline, nor use the postnominals.

Delegates will receive an e-mail confirmation from ISVPS to confirm registration at the beginning of the program. (Please add english@isvps.org to your contacts to ensure you receive correspondence from ISVPS).
The confirmation email contains a password to access MyImprove, which is separate to Improve Veterinary Education’s Learning Management System. In addition to providing access to assessment guidance, MyImprove also permits candidates to submit their written assessment to ISVPS anonymously.

All of our Veterinary Technician Certificate programs are RACE-approved, allowing you to count them towards your CE hours in states that use the RACE system.

Please refer to each individual program to find out the RACE-approved credits – it can be found along with the RACE logo on any program details page.

The assessments for the VTCert/VPPCert are set and run by ISVPS, the awarding body. They usually consist of

• A written assignment (usually a case report, pass mark 50%) linked to their chosen field of study
• An online 60-minute Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) exam, for which the pass mark is standardised.
• A 90-minute Online Applied Knowledge Examination (OAKE), which uses a variety of questions to assess the application of clinical knowledge, for which the pass mark is 60% 

The assessments may vary slightly depending on the exact certificate you are taking. More information will be given in your MyImprove area once you have started the programme, but you can also contact us if you have questions.