Continue your learning and CPD development with the School of Veterinary Science
Whether you're just a few years out or well into your veterinary career, there's always more to learn, and the Veterinary Postgraduate Unit (VPU) has a wide range of CPD and postgraduate opportunities to help you keep your professional development on track.
New Veterinary Postgraduate Unit CPD online mini module topics announced
New online CPD mini module topics in both small animal and equine designations have been published, starting in November 2025. This online CPD is developed for and aimed towards the more experienced veterinary surgeon. If you have completed a CertAVP, are an Advanced Practitioner, or are an experienced practitioner and feel you are currently working at this level, these modules are a great way to support your CPD requirements for the year or maintain your Advanced Practitioner status.
Small animal modules
New mini modules for Small Animal Medicine covering canine and feline chronic enteropathies, concepts in feline infectious disease testing, and updates in endocrine testing.
New mini modules for Emergency and Critical Care covering managing the trauma patient, dyspnoeic emergencies and neurological emergencies.
Equine modules
Two new equine modules have been developed, covering equine ophthalmology (starting in November 2025) and rehabilitation of the equine back and pelvis (starting in February 2026).
These 100% online modules are great value, providing 25 hours of designation specific CPD for just £435. Each of the four weeks in every mini module covers a different topic in an area in which there may have been changes, advances or controversy in recent years.
The weeks are taught and tutored by Liverpool and other external veterinary specialists, following a similar format to the University of Liverpool’s CertAVP modules. With online lectures, discussion boards and weekly MCQ tests designed to help support your learning these short designation specific modules provide a fun and interactive way to ensure you keep up to date in your area of interest.
Modules start in November 2025 unless otherwise stated. Click here to see full details and to book your place now.
In person CPD at Leahurst
In addition to online CPD, the veterinary postgraduate unit also offers a programme of in-person practical CPD workshops in both equine and small animal. Click here for more information on 2025 workshops.
CertAVP success for synoptic exam candidates! Book now to secure your place on 2025/26 CertAVP modules
Congratulations to the 43 candidates who successfully sat and passed their synoptic exams in March 2025. This is a huge achievement on the back of a lot of study to complete the six CertAVP modules required as part of the CertAVP.
The Veterinary Postgraduate Unit (VPU) offers over 70 CertAVP module options, covering 21 different designations across equine, production animal and small animal subjects. The module offer is regularly reviewed and refreshed, with new modules for 2025.
CertAVP modules are taught and delivered 100% online, allowing delegates to study in their own time but with assessment deadlines that encourage completion of modules. Modules are also accredited as part of the University of Liverpool’s own Veterinary Professional Studies programme, meaning that completion of the six CertAVP modules constitutes a University of Liverpool PGCert or the opportunity to continue your study to gain a PGDip or MSc.
The CertAVP qualification is suitable for vets at any stage in their career and vets 25 years or longer into their career and vets who have only recently completed their GDP have successfully completed the modules.
You can find out more information on the CertAVP and book, or if you are considering postgraduate study, you can register your interest in attending a free informative CertAVP webinar.
Veterinary Business Management (PGCert VBM)
Are you currently working in veterinary business management and want to develop your skills and get ahead of the game in the UK’s only bespoke Veterinary Business Management Programme?
The Veterinary Business Management programme is a two-year postgraduate certificate taught at master's level, which covers the core business management areas from strategy, vision and mission, entrepreneurship, through marketing and human resources to finance and accounting and leadership for change.
The programme is open to anyone currently engaged in veterinary business management, including practice/office managers and veterinary staff.
This comprehensive programme is currently the highest level of bespoke veterinary management training and award that exists in the field today and comprises six modules to be studied on a part-time basis over 2 years (3 modules per year):
- Introduction to Veterinary Business Management
- Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Finance Accounting and Resource Management
- Work Based Learning
The PGCert (VBM) is delivered online, so you can study from home, and you are continuously assessed throughout the modules.
Students receive full library access and extensive peer to peer interaction is encouraged through discussion boards where students can interact and collaborate, bouncing ideas between colleagues and academic staff within the virtual classroom.
Learning materials and assessments are provided on a weekly basis allowing students to work through each module at a steady pace. Weekly time commitments may vary week to week, but you are expected to study approximately eight hours a week.
You can find out more information on the PGCert (VBM) and book or you can watch an online information session hosted by Emeritus Professor Catherine McGowan, Programme Director.
Keep in touch with the Veterinary Postgraduate Unit
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