Cardiology

All applicants must:

• Hold a veterinary qualification
• Have spent a minimum of one year in veterinary practice
• Be on the RCVS Home Practising Register (UK-based applicants), hold a qualification that would entitle them to register as a member of the RCVS (applicants based outside the UK)

The GPCert is a middle-tier qualification awarded to veterinary surgeons who successfully complete a dedicated modular training programme accredited by ISVPS and the associated ISVPS assessments. Only registered veterinary surgeons who have been qualified for a minimum of one year can apply to undertake a General Practitioner Certificate.

• • To achieve a GPCert you must:
  • • Complete the modular training programme
    • Submit a case report (number of words defined by ISVPS)
    • Sit an online multiple-choice examination
    • An online applied knowledge examination (OAKE)

ISVPS are responsible for the invigilation of the exam using an independent invigilation company. More details can be found here.

You must be a qualified veterinary surgeon registered in the country of origin. Appropriate paperwork will be requested at point of registration.

In addition to the assessment criteria for the GPCert you will need to:

• Complete a case diary
• Write a reflective essay
• Answer all pre and post-module surveys and MCQs
• Undertake the Advanced Practitioner module delivered remotely by Harper Adams University between January and July each year (not applicable for Small Animal Medicine and Small Animal Surgery Programmes)

Harper Adams University (HAU) is responsible for the assessment of the case diary, reflective essay and Advanced Practitioner module.

Further information about the route to a PgC is available on request.

• Module content is hosted on our Learning Management System
• 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
• Access to our world-leading Learning Management System will be provided for a period of one year after the last day of the programme

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.

Yes, you can.

• If you register for the PgC you are automatically attending the modules required for the GPCert
• You need to register with both ISVPS and HAU
• ‘Upgrading’ from the GPCert involves paying the extra module fees and registering with HAU. Please contact us for further information
• You can upgrade from the GPCert to PgC within 5 years of achieving the GPCert award
• If you have attended the Distance Learning Programmes without committing to the GPCert, you have 4 years from completion of the programme to register with ISVPS and SUCCESSFULLY complete ALL assessments including the examination

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

Progress of the completion of your module and programme are tracked in different ways.

Each module consists of 9 interactive lessons including reflective study which may involve case studies, MCQ writing and calculation practice during week 4, depending on the specific module. The interactive lessons will track and remember your progress whilst you complete it. When you return to a specific lesson or case study, you will return to the page that you last visited.

Once a lesson is completed, a tick will appear next to the lesson icon on the module course page. You will also see a progress indicator at the top right-hand corner of the course page and a more detailed Progress Bar in the collapsible side menu on the left.

Upon completing all 9 lessons and the 2 case studies, you will be awarded a Digital Badge, recognising your achievement. As you progress through the programme, badges will be awarded at 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 completion stages.

Even though you may access our world-leading Learning Management System via any browser, it is recommended that you choose a browser that supports integrated HTML editor.  Google Chrome or Firefox on a Windows operating system, and Chrome, Firefox or Safari on a Mac system.

While using Internet Explorer (Edge) should not cause any issue, it has been reported that some security settings and adherence to W3C standards prevent the browser from operating in some instances.  If you experience a problem please try one of the other browsers before contacting Improve for additional support.

Yes, there are additional assessment criteria. Contact your Programme Tutor for further information.

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

• You select your preferred modules and a final selection is made in discussion with the Programme Tutor and on a first come first-served basis. If you are studying the Surgery programme you will be attending the ten practical modules which form part of this programme and there is no need to select modules
• Module allocation will be made within the first two months of the start of the programme to allow for travel plans
• Delegates opting into the PgC ‘late’ will be allocated modules within 2 months of registering with HAU

Please note if you wish to progress to the PgC there is an additional fee – see the pricing tables for further information or please contact the Programme Tutor for further information.

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.   

Yes, the full programme to achieve the GPCert is all online with the exception of the Surgery programme which includes ten practical modules. These will be held in two locations, see the programme for further information.

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

• Registration is made directly to ISVPS (for the GPCert) and HAU (for the PgC) – you will be provided with contact details allowing you to complete their registration forms
• Ideally, the decision to aim for the PgC should be made within the first two months of the programme starting to enable you to benefit from the HAU library access and select your face to face modules if applicable to your programme

Harper Adams University (HAU) will provide you with information on the peer-reviewed case diary and self-reflection essay assessments required for the PgC.

For Small Animal Medicine and Small Animal Surgery Distance Learning Programmes you will need to complete a peer-reviewed diary of 25 cases and 20 for Feline Practice seen by you in practice, not earlier than three years ago is required:

• Cases selected should demonstrate a balance of case types or procedures across species and where appropriate, across body systems
• Cases should relate to the list shown in Appendix 4*.
• Each diary entry should be a maximum of 100 words, comprising signalment, diagnosis, action taken (by you as the practitioner) and outcome

Peer Review: A supporting signature from a veterinary surgeon within your practice. Please see appendix 3* for a template. This should be present (scanned) on the final page of your diary.

*Appendix 3 and 4 are available on request   

• Online modules cannot be deferred without losing the real-time interactive engagement with the Module Tutor   
• Face to face modules (where relevant to your programme) can be deferred provided you complete all modules within 3 years of beginning the programme

• We will endeavour to allocate you face-to-face modules close together in date (e.g. within the same week) to reduce the numbers 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 place well in advance of travel.
• Delegates attending from outside of Europe may require visas in order to participate in our face-to-face programmes. Please note that the Student Tier 4 visa is not applicable to Improve International 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 International does not provide support in obtaining visas but can provide supporting documentation to support your application if requested.