RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP)
The RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) is a flexible, modular approach to achieving veterinary postgraduate qualification.
Before you start working towards the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP), or towards any individual modules, you must enrol for the CertAVP with the RCVS. This is so that the RCVS can confirm your eligibility and log your credits as they accrue towards your qualification.
Candidates must hold a recognised veterinary degree, have at least one year’s experience as a practising vet and be enrolled for a CertAVP with the Royal College of Surgeons. Those who graduated after 2007 must have completed their PDP or VetGDP.
Each module offers 100 hours CPD, including time for assessment.
Please note that the CertAVP modules at the University of Nottingham are designed for those working in clinical practice. We therefore recommend that you look at both module details and assessment requirements prior to enrolling to ensure that you have sufficient case load to complete the module.
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The University of Nottingham are currently offering the following RCVS CertAVP modules, priced at £795 for teaching and assessment:
| Module | Autumn 2025 cohort | Winter 2025/26 cohort | Summer 2026 cohort |
|---|
| Application date |
28 July 2025 |
1 December 2025 |
30 March 2026 |
| Start date |
25 August 2025 |
5 January 2026 |
27 April 2026 |
A Module
(A-FAVP.1) |
✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
B Module
(B-SAP.1) |
✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
C Module Core Surgery
(C-SACP.2) |
✔ Yes |
|
|
C Module - Core Medicine
(C-SACP.1) |
|
✔ Yes |
|
C Module - Core ECC
(C-SACP.3) |
|
|
✔ Yes |
C Module - Dermatology
(C-SACP.4) |
✔ Yes |
|
|
C Module - Clinical Pathology
(C-VP.2) |
|
|
✔ Yes |
C Module - Ophthalmology
(C-SACP.5) |
|
✔ Yes |
|
A Module - A-FAVP.1 – Foundations of Advanced Veterinary Practice
Overview
The module consists of a 16-week programme, delivered through supported online materials produced by experts at the University of Nottingham Vet School.
Content
- Principles of Professional Reasoning and Decision Making
- Emergency Care
- Animal and Public Health Protection
- Animal Welfare, Professional Conduct and Veterinary Ethics
- Quality and Safety in Veterinary Practice
Assessments
- Clinical audit of the candidate’s choice designed to be relevant and useful to their workplace (3,000 words)
- Three reflective essays of 800-1,000 words, covering problem-solving, approach to ethical dilemmas and personal development.
- Online MCQ open book exam covering certification and emergency care
B Module – Small Animal Practice (B-SAP.1)
Overview
The module consists of a 16-week programme, delivered through supported online material produced by experts at the University of Nottingham Vet School.
Content
- Logical approach to decision-making
- Rational diagnostic test selection
- Principles of clinical pharmacology
- Diagnostic imaging including radiation protection, quality control and safe production of diagnostic radiographs
- Surgical practice: pre-, peri- and post-operative considerations
- Anaesthesia management
Assessment
- Two written case reports (2,500 words each), one surgical and one medical
- A reflective essay justifying the candidate’s choice of cases and reflecting on their learning during the module (1,000 words)
- A written radiograph report (maximum 1,000 words)
C Module – Small Animal Clinical Practice – Core Surgery (C-SACP.2)
Overview
This module consists of a 16-week programme which will cover the fundamental principles and practice of soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery.
Content
Topics covered include (but are not limited to):
- Exploratory coeliotomy
- Wound management
- Surgical oncology
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Electrosurgery
- Imaging in relation to surgical cases
- Approach to orthopaedic surgery
Assessment
- Two written case reports (1,500 words each); one soft tissue and one an orthopaedic case
- A skills audit and reflection (1,000 words) looking at the development of your surgical skills over the course of the module
- A case log of 20 surgical cases
- A critique of a journal article (1,000 words) followed by a journal club discussion of the paper
C Module – Small Animal Clinical Practice – Core Medicine (C-SACP.1)
Overview
This module consists of a 16-week programme which will cover the fundamental principles and practice of small animal medicine.
Content
Topics covered include (but are not limited to):
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Urogenital disorders
- Infectious disease
Assessment
- Two written case reports (1,500 words each) which are appropriate to the subjects taught on the module
- A skills audit and reflection (1,000 words) looking at the development of skills relevant to topics taught during the course of the module
- A case log of 20 cases, relevant to the subject areas covered in this module
- A critique of a journal article (1,000 words) followed by a journal club discussion of the paper
C Module - Small Animal Clinical Practice - Emergency and Critical Care (C-SACP.3)
Overview
The module consists of a 16-week programme which will cover the fundamental principles and practice of emergency critical care.
Content
Topics covered include (but not limited to):
- Triage
- Fluid therapy, blood products and electrolyte emergencies
- Medical management of emergency patients
- Analgesia and anaesthesia for emergency cases
- Toxicities
- Cardiovascular emergencies
- Respiratory emergencies
- Neurological emergencies
- Renal and endocrine emergencies
- Urinary tract emergencies
- CPCR. Basic and advanced life support
- Point of care ultrasound (POCUS)
- Nutritional support for critical patient
Assessment
- Two written case reports (1,500 words each)
- A skills audit and reflection (1,000 words) looking at the development of your skills over the course of the module
- A case log of 20 emergency and critical care cases which should include a range of cases with the following included: (All cases should be canine or feline patients)
- At least six cardiorespiratory cases
- At least three medical emergencies
- At least three neurological emergencies
- At lease four cases you include in the above categories should involve anaesthesia/analgesia
- A critique of a journal article (1,000 words) followed by a journal club discussion of the paper
C Module – Small Animal Clinical Practice – Dermatology (C.SACP.4)
Overview
This module consists of a 16-week programme which aims to develop a systematic approach to common dermatological conditions seen in veterinary general practice.
Content
Topics covered include (but are not limited to):
- Structure and function of skin
- Approach to pruritus
- Approach to alopecia
- Approach to nodules
- Investigation and management of ear disease
- Feline dermatology
Assessment
- Two written case reports (1,500 words each)
- A skills audit and reflection (800-1,000 words) looking at the development of skills relevant to topics taught during the course of the module
- A case log of 20 cases, relevant to the subject areas covered in the module
- A critique of a journal article (500-1,000 words) followed by a journal club discussion of the paper
C Module - Clinical Pathology - Laboratory Diagnostics (C-VP.2)
Overview
The module consists of a 16-week programme to consolidate clinical knowledge and develop an in-depth understanding of the application of that knowledge in a practice environment, in relation to laboratory medicine diagnostics.
Content
Topics covered include (but are not limited to):
- Basic guidelines for set up and maintenance of an in-practice laboratory
- Cytology
- Laboratory data analysis; general principles
- Evaluation of results in relation to clinical and historic information
Assessment
- Two written cases reports (1,500 words each)
- Laboratory Quality Review (1,500 words)
- A case log of 20 cases
- A critique of a journal article (1,000 words) followed by a journal club discussion of the paper
C Module – Small Animal Clinical Practice – Ophthalmology (C-SACP-5)
Overview
The module consists of a 16-week programme which aims to develop a systematic approach to common ophthalmological conditions seen in veterinary general practice. With an increased understanding of the structure and function of the normal and diseased eye, the clinician will develop a thorough diagnostic method and a logical, systematic approach to treating commonly seen ophthalmological presentations.
Content
Topics covered include (but are not limited to):
- Structure and function of the eye
- Examination of the eye
- Diseases of the eye and adnexa
- Ocular therapeutics
- Ophthalmic surgery
Assessment
- Two written cases reports (1,500 words each) which are appropriate to the subjects taught on the module
- A skills audit and reflection (800-1,000 words) looking at the development of your skills relevant to topics taught during the course of the module
- A case log of 20 cases, relevant to the subject areas covered in this module
- A critique of a journal article (1,000 words) followed by a journal club discussion of the paper
Why choose the University of Nottingham?
We have developed a 16-week modular structure for each of our available modules, with flexibility to complete your studying at a time to suit you. Designed to be highly relevant to clinical practice, our modules will help develop your skills and knowledge, while providing you with resources and tools to use in your practice.
Method of teaching
Our supported online material includes pre-recorded webinars, guided reading and practical tasks. All of the learning material is displayed in a structured learning plan and will be available at the start of your journey through the module. This gives you the flexibility to get ahead with your learning or catch up if you’ve had a busy week in practice. The assessments are module specific and detailed within the module overview. The 100 hours allocated for the module includes time to complete assessments.
Support during study
The module convener or a member of the CPD staff are available to answer queries as you are working through the modules.
Key academic staff
How to enrol
To check availability and secure you place, please email certavp@nottingham.ac.uk