Certificates

RE: Certificates

niamhjl — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 20:21:21 GMT

I am doing the BSAVA PGCert in medicine, so cannot speak for the ECC course, but I am finding it great! It is true that it is very structured, but that is good for me as I don't think I would have the discipline to "self motivate" at the level needed for some of the more hands-off courses. One of the downsides for me is how far away the course days are (Gloucester and Manchester) as I'm in Ipswich, so it is a bit of a trek, but manageable, it's only once a month! The course tutors are amazing and very supportive, I'm really enjoying the experience (although the workload is a bit more than I had anticipated, and I do sometimes struggle to have enough time to do all the study I should be - supportive work place is a must! I work a 4 day week so usually study on my day off, I really don't think I'd have time for it if I was working 5 days)

RE: Certificates

mariette asselbergs — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 21:19:28 GMT

[quote user="Michelle Lambert"]

Hi,

Just to clarify, the BSAVA PGCert can be completed between 3-5 years, so its definitely not rigidly fixed! Its designed to be flexible depending on how you wish to study. Happy to discuss if you would like further info! certificate@bsava.com

Best wishes

Shell

[/quote]

It is true that it is less rigid for people who want to (can afford to) take 5 years to study for a certificate, and some of the participants are doing just that. But if you aim at completing in 3 years' time, then you must be aware that the dates for lectures are set, attendance is obligatory, and if you miss one, you cannot sit the exam, because you can only attend that same topic the next year., even though you might be able to read all the material and do all the exercises. This also means that a number of the online activities are limited to 4 weeks after a lecture date. If you anticipate a holiday or a particular busy period in your two years, then you miss out on the particular subject of that period. You can of course study the lecture notes and online articles at any time, but the assistance of the lecturer or the marking of the topic related exercise is limited to this particular period.

I only posted this for people to realise that this is what you commit to if you want to study with the aim of getting through in 3 years.

Mariette

RE: Certificates

Michelle Lambert — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:22:24 GMT

Hi,

Best wishes

Shell

RE: Certificates

Silvia Maldonado — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 00:52:16 GMT

Thanks, Anthony. I will deffo contact them

RE: Certificates

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 10:04:53 GMT

[quote user="Silvia Maldonado"]I've actually heard very good feedbacks abotu Liv Uni. Leahurst is a bit far away for me, but I guess it would not alter much my plans if I have to go there eventually. Besides, that's an excuse to visit "Scouseland", Chester or any medieval Welsh castle on my way there [/quote]

You can do the course online only - which a) is cheaper and b) has everything the full course participants do except the day at Leahurst. If you make friends with someone in the module who is a full course participant, you can just ask to see the notes from the day

RE: Certificates

Silvia Maldonado — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:18:18 GMT

Mmm... I'll need to double check that, then. I might not be able to attend as I'm doing night shifts

RE: Certificates

Silvia Maldonado — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:16:33 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]

I'm doing a CertAVP through Liverpool, and they do ECC modules. In fact, I'm doing one of them this September. Liverpol are very organised, and there is plenty of resources available

[/quote]

I've actually heard very good feedbacks abotu Liv Uni. Leahurst is a bit far away for me, but I guess it would not alter much my plans if I have to go there eventually. Besides, that's an excuse to visit "Scouseland", Chester or any medieval Welsh castle on my way there

RE: Certificates

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:54:59 GMT

Only you know what will suit you. Some of the courses have a significant taught component and you may want that. With the CertAVP route the universities offer differing degrees of support and teaching, but must also offer an assessment only route. Currently Glasgow, RVC and Liverpool are listed as offering the three modules in small animal ECC.

Your cheapest route is to self study and go down the assessment only route - but you need a good degree of confidence and I would urge you to study the syllabus before embarking down that line. When I registered for my cattle cert, that is all that was available.

RE: Certificates

mariette asselbergs — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:53:15 GMT

If you choose BSAVA then be aware that although it suggests you can study in your own time, you will have rigidly fixed lecture days for 2 years, once every month, alternating between Gloucester and Dunfermline. If you miss one you cannot sit the exam. Lecture days are mainly that: lectures, not active working days to practice what you leaned.

The quality of the material is good, and I am learning loads, but it is very rigid in its structure.

Mariette

RE: Certificates

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:43:48 GMT

I'm doing a CertAVP through Liverpool, and they do ECC modules. In fact, I'm doing one of them this September. Liverpol are very organised, and there is plenty of resources available