Small Animal Medicine

The Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Medicine is aimed at the qualified veterinary practitioner already working in small animal practice who wishes to develop their approach and knowledge more specifically in this area. It is also suitable for vets wishing to refresh their skills after a career break or for new graduates wishing to enhance their skill base. Participants should gain the confidence to approach and manage clinical cases to a higher level.

Programme Educational Philosophy

• This programme focuses on an evidence-based approach to Small Animal Medicine equiping veterinarians with the necessary skills to become effective evidence-based practitioners.
• The emphasis will be on taking an applied approach using case-based material and appraisal of current thinking.
• The aim is to engender a confident approach to clinical cases working to progress their diagnosis and management to a higher level.
• 90% of the course is on-line with some individual work but an overall emphasis on working as part of a group to enhance peer-to-peer learning.
• The approach will be flexible, with approximately 10-12 hours per week in the home environment.
• Throughout the programme, students will be expected to undertake self-directed study, receiving peer feedback, guidance from experts in the field and being exposed to the clinical expertise of a variety of veterinary specialists.
• Overall, the programme aims to develop independent learners with metacognitive skills, critical thinking skills and a propensity for effective life-long learning and professional development.

The assessment strategy combines regular formative / low stakes assessment pieces including; group discussion of cases on discussion boards with feedback, concept maps, critical appraisal of papers, construction of evidence-based summaries and group work, with end of semester single best answer questions, a written critically appraised topics and a structured case report as the capstone assessment.

The Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Medicine is aimed at the qualified veterinary practitioner already working in small animal practice who wishes to develop their approach and knowledge more specifically in this area. It is also suitable for vets wishing to refresh their skills after a career break or for new graduates wishing to enhance their skill base. Participants should gain the confidence to approach and manage clinical cases to a higher level.

Programme Educational Philosophy

• This programme focuses on an evidence-based approach to Small Animal Medicine equiping veterinarians with the necessary skills to become effective evidence-based practitioners.
• The emphasis will be on taking an applied approach using case-based material and appraisal of current thinking.
• The aim is to engender a confident approach to clinical cases working to progress their diagnosis and management to a higher level.
• 90% of the course is on-line with some individual work but an overall emphasis on working as part of a group to enhance peer-to-peer learning.
• The approach will be flexible, with approximately 10-12 hours per week in the home environment.
• Throughout the programme, students will be expected to undertake self-directed study, receiving peer feedback, guidance from experts in the field and being exposed to the clinical expertise of a variety of veterinary specialists.
• Overall, the programme aims to develop independent learners with metacognitive skills, critical thinking skills and a propensity for effective life-long learning and professional development.

The assessment strategy combines regular formative / low stakes assessment pieces including; group discussion of cases on discussion boards with feedback, concept maps, critical appraisal of papers, construction of evidence-based summaries and group work, with end of semester single best answer questions, a written critically appraised topics and a structured case report as the capstone assessment.

If you are not a UCD student and have not applied previously, you must register before using the system for the first time. You'll find step-by-step instructions on how to apply in our instructions for applicants [pdf] and video tutorial.

If you have already registered you can return to the secure system using the login details you registered with. If you are a current or previous UCD student, please use your UCD student number (the system will pre-populate your personal details and you will not be requested to send transcripts).

Due to essential maintenance work, the service may be disrupted, or unavailable entirely, from time to time. Please be patient during these times. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Details of upcoming scheduled maintenance windows, if any, will appear on the right.