RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Online Learning) PgProfDev Level: Postgraduate taught Subject: Veterinary Medicine Year of entry: 2026 Study options Mode of study Online learning Part-time intermittent study PgProfDev | 10 years | Start date: multiple dates Key facts School Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies College College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Programme website RCVS Certificate Advanced Veterinary Practice website Accreditation Not available Apply now 15 October: Postgraduate Online Learning Essentials Find out what it’s like to study online at Edinburgh, with insights into learning, community and the support available to online postgraduate students. Register now Open Days on Demand Dive into an extensive selection of programme-specific session recordings hosted by our Academic and Professional Services staff. Watch the recordings Overview About the degree programme The RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) is a flexible, modular approach to achieving veterinary postgraduate qualifications.Credits are awarded by RCVS and not the University of Edinburgh, which means the programme is not eligible for a University of Edinburgh award.Design your own postgraduate certificateYou can design your own postgraduate certificate by choosing a combination of 10 credit elements that reflect your area of interest and are directly relevant to your work.As part of this consistent, flexible framework, you can choose modules from a number of accredited institutions in the UK.Self-studyNote that all Edinburgh CertAVP modules are self-study (assessment only), which includes guidance from the team and access to an online support environment. No teaching materials are included.If you wish to undertake taught courses for your certificate, please contact us about the Masters in Veterinary Science in Advanced Clinical Practice.Masters in Veterinary Science in Advanced Clinical PracticeYou are encouraged to support your study by undertaking appropriate continuing professional development (CPD) and working closely with a mentor or senior colleague with experience in the subject area and/or personal experience of undertaking veterinary postgraduate qualifications.EnrolmentBefore 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 a full qualification.RCVS Enrolment Fees, costs and funding Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Part-time intermittent study PgProfDev Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (10 years) tuition fees Deposit You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme. Costs Additional programme costs 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 a full qualification.These are the costs payable to the RCVS associated with enrolment. They are:RCVS Fees - applicable 1 January - 31 December 2025*£87Initial enrolment£44Annual subscription£1175RCVS synoptic assessment exam fee (for designated Certificates only)*you are advised to check the RCVS website for confirmation of annual fees relating to your year(s) of study.RCVS Enrollment Funding opportunities Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees:personal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications You must:be a member of RCVS, or hold a registrable degreehave at least 1 year of postgraduate experience working as a veterinary surgeonbe enrolled with RCVS if intending to take the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (enrolment will be valid for 10 years)You can check the list of recognised international qualifications on the RCVS website: RCVS-recognised qualifications If you graduated after 2007 we recommend that you complete the Professional Development Phase (PDP) before enrolling for any modules. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements Candidates who are European graduates do not have to take an IELTS test to become a member of the RCVS. For those graduating outside Europe, the RCVS expects language skills to an overall IELTS score of 7 before the candidate can sit the membership exam. The CertAVP is an RCVS qualification. The University of Edinburgh provides and assesses modules for candidates to complete towards the Certificate, on behalf of the RCVS, but does not accredit these modules towards a final degree award. Consequently, the University of Edinburgh does not set a minimum language requirement for entry. Although it is not essential that you have evidence of your level of English when applying, we would strongly recommend that you are confident in your level of written and spoken English to ensure that you gain the greatest benefit from taking part in the certificate. Programme details What you will study The Certificate can be taken over 10 years, with each module taking between 1-2 years. It is possible to complete the full programme (60 credit equivalent) in one year, though this will depend on the assessment timetable for each module. The programme is modular in structure, offering a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of modules studied. You can choose to sit modules at any accredited institution in the UK. There is now a 2-year time limit to complete a module. Please contact the programme team to discuss the best time to register to ensure the maximum number of submission opportunties specific to your chosen module. CertAVP structure Modules are divided into three groups - A, B and C. You can sit the modules in any order however, we strongly recommend you work through them in order, starting with the A. This way, you will build your writing and research skills as you progress through the modules. You can take any combination of B and C modules, although certain combinations are required for designated certificates. It is also possible to be assessed on individual modules as part of ongoing CPD activities without working towards the full RCVS certificate. Revised structure of the modular postgraduate certificate (10.06 KB PDF) To achieve the full CertAVP, candidates must pass the A-Foundations of Veterinary Practice module A-FAVP.1 (10 credits) and at least one B module (10 credits), together with either four C modules or a combination of B and C modules (40 credits). Upon completion of all the necessary modules, a further synoptic oral assessment will be required for anyone wishing to achieve a designated certificate. Assessment only Note that all modules are self-study (assessment only), which includes guidance from the team and access to an online support environment. If you wish to undertake taught courses for your certificate, please contact us about the Masters in Veterinary Science in Advanced Clinical Practice. Find courses for this programme Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed. The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme. Part-time intermittent study PgProfDev Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (10 years) (2025-2026) We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative. Teaching and assessment Support for your studies You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need. How we support you Online learning How online learning works This degree programme is taught online, however attendance in Edinburgh is required for the Production Animal Practice C module clinical examinations. Support resources for assessment submission are provided within our virtual learning environment (VLE). Through the VLE, you can: access study resources, including e-books and library resourcesinteract with your support team and fellow candidates Assessment submission links and support materials are provided online via Blackboard Learn.Online support materials include:reading listsonline discussion forumssample case notes/essay topicsguidance notes on assessment criteriastudy skills support Equipment and software needs To study this online programme, you will need access to: a computer or laptop the internet the latest version of a web browser As an online student, you will have access to a range of software you can download to help you complete your coursework, including Microsoft Office 365. IT support is available if you have technical difficulties. IT and computing help Opportunities to attend in person Attendance at Edinburgh is required for the Production Animal Practice C module clinical examinations. Support for online students As an online student, you will have access to a range of support services throughout your time at university if you need them.These support services include:academic support servicesebooks and ejournals within the librarythe disability and learning support serviceEnglish language supportskills development courses on LinkedIn Learningemail-based sessions delivered by the Counselling Servicesupport for students who are parents Careers and further study Further study After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.Applying for research degreesMoving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service) Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Applying How to apply You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin. When to apply We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have enough time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including references and transcripts.If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, please upload that evidence as soon as you have it. Please note that we accept applications for this programme throughout the year. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply References are not usually required for applications to this programme.Please provide your RCVS registration number on your application form. You are only required to complete and submit an application form, you are not required to upload any documents with your application. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -PgProfDev Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (10 years) After you apply Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.Checking the status of your applicationWe will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.Receiving our decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Contact Academic contact Sharon Boyd Programme Director Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Contact details Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
