Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

RE: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Sarah Bolton — Fri, 15 May 2015 11:57:46 GMT

I have just completed the Dip AVN at Harper Adams university. My last module which I needed to complete for the RCVS award (the blue badge) was at level 6. The majority of units are level 5, which I think from a university undergrad prospective would be 2nd year of university. I could have continued to top up to the full degree should I wish.

Also collecting my badge in July. Can't wait!

RE: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Nieky van Veggel — Fri, 15 May 2015 09:45:26 GMT

From an academic perspective every Graduate Diploma leads to the generic postnominals GradDip. As this is vet nursing specific I assume it will become GradDip (VN). Graduate diplomas are level 6 qualifications in the Further and Higher Education Qualifications Framework, which is the same level as the final year of an honours degree (historically you needed an honours degree or ordinary degree to enroll on a GradDip course, they are generally specilisation-type courses).

The RVC has developed their own badge for graduate of this course, different from the DipAVN badge (see image here).

Given the reputation of the University of London / RVC in the veterinary world, I don't this you need to worry about employer recognition. I assume they will seek RCVS recognition soon.

I get the idea the GradDip has a more academic focus than the DipAVN, but I might be wrong here.

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:24:59 GMT

Hi, the Myerscough one you end up with 2 diplomas at the end of it. You have the Dip(HE)CVN, and the Dip AVN.

I thought it was only the recognised courses that got the badge!

1st year you spend 1 week and 3 weekends at college,you have weekly online tutorials which are brilliant. Lots of Essay writing, and exams are essay questions, 8 essays in all I think.

2nd year you choose 3 from the 5 subjects, Medical, Surgical, Anaesthesia, Theatre and Radiography. You have practicals and I presume written exams as well. and you spend 4?! weekends at college. Third year is your AVN, which I am led to believe is only actually 9 months..where you have to write a dissertation for the RCVS, and you get oral examines on that.

Hope this helps.

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

sarah rogers — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:05:18 GMT

[quote user="Vicky VN"]

[quote user="sarah rogers"]

the tutors are also very helpful and supportive . be prepared to put in a lot of hard work they recommened 15 hours a week!! which is alot of hard work and hard to fit around a full time job, but is definatlely worth it and have learnt loads!!

[/quote]

Definitely! Seem to have been doing a constant stream of assignments recently

[/quote]

I know that feeling!!

I hope its going well and your managing to find the time to fit it in!!

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Maisy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:57:52 GMT

[quote user="sarah rogers"]

[/quote]

Definitely! Seem to have been doing a constant stream of assignments recently

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

sarah rogers — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:44:17 GMT

hi im currently doing the RVC diploma and am on the second year, i looked into the RCVS on as well, but choose the RVC on as it was a bit more structured and i liked the compulsory study skills section which you have to pass to get on the course as it goes through the basics of essay/report writting , resources searching etc which is really useful if you havnt done courses at a higher level.

with regards to the post nominals i think they are grad dip ie graduate diploma in vet nursing and you will get a badge!!. I think they are trying to get it RVCS accredidated, but i think you can just do part of the RCVS exam to get recognised.

as this is a new course it is going to take a while for practices to recognise the qualifiation but it is a very popular course with 18 people who started it when it first come out and i think this has doubled on the second year!

hope this helps x

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Maisy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:28:48 GMT

Not sure about the post nominals. The course is still pretty new and the first intake will be taking their final exams this summer, there's a couple of members on here that are doing it so they may know for definte. It is a recognised course though, its just the RCVS don't recognise it in that they wouldn't add postnominals (if there are any) to their register as its not a course run by them. It is still an advanced diploma and employers are aware of it.

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

kati_81 — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:11:46 GMT

Thanks for the info. Do you not get any letters after your name after doing the Graduate diploma then? I think the RVC one would be a lot more convenient for me it just worries me I would do all that work and then the award wouldnt really be recognised by employers etc.

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Susan Jackson — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:59:06 GMT

[quote user="Nick Shackleton VN MBVNA"]

[quote user="Susan Jackson RVN MBVNA"]

Just finished the Dip AVN.

It's core modules the first year, optional modules the second year (which I liked as studied what I was interested in).

Both years have essay papers and exams, sencond year has practical exam which is very similar setting to practical exams but slightly more indepth.

Third year is just a dissertation for the final level 3 unit. However you have to discuss your dissertation with RCVS/college pannel.

Some of it is hard work, it depends on your weaknesses. My time management wasn't the best but i struggle with english and essay writing.

Worth doing, collecting badge in July!

[/quote]

Might see you in July Susan if Monday goes well

[/quote]

hope so!

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Nick Shackleton — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:42:02 GMT

[quote user="Susan Jackson RVN MBVNA"]

Just finished the Dip AVN.

It's core modules the first year, optional modules the second year (which I liked as studied what I was interested in).

Both years have essay papers and exams, sencond year has practical exam which is very similar setting to practical exams but slightly more indepth.

Third year is just a dissertation for the final level 3 unit. However you have to discuss your dissertation with RCVS/college pannel.

Some of it is hard work, it depends on your weaknesses. My time management wasn't the best but i struggle with english and essay writing.

Worth doing, collecting badge in July!

[/quote]

Might see you in July Susan if Monday goes well

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Susan Jackson — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:39:55 GMT

Just finished the Dip AVN.

It's core modules the first year, optional modules the second year (which I liked as studied what I was interested in).

Both years have essay papers and exams, sencond year has practical exam which is very similar setting to practical exams but slightly more indepth.

Third year is just a dissertation for the final level 3 unit. However you have to discuss your dissertation with RCVS/college pannel.

Some of it is hard work, it depends on your weaknesses. My time management wasn't the best but i struggle with english and essay writing.

Worth doing, collecting badge in July!

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Nicola Smith — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:10:41 GMT

I am hoping to do Dip AVN at Harper Adams. I looked at RVC diploma but seemed a bit more regimented in terms of time frame and compulsory study week at start not an option for me, Harper Adams is Friday/ Sat study weekends which are easier.

I personally prefer the Dip AVN as the more recognised one, and the one recognised by RCVS, seems a shame to do all the work and not get the letters.

Re: Advanced diploma Vs RVC graduate diploma

Maisy — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:18:59 GMT

I'm doing the RVC diploma at the moment, and I think Sandra on here is doing the current RCVS diploma. Looking at the syllabus of both courses there isn't any difference in the core/elective modules, except the DipAVN courses then need to complete a separate dissertation and exam (I think?).

I went for the RVC course as it was more convenient at the time of enrolling as college attendance wasn't as much as going to Myerscough a few times a year. The RVC course is a Level 3 HE course whereas DipAVN is Level 2 if that matters to you, my old employer paid for the intial enrollment for me and this is what they were more interested in. However the RCVS obviously recognises their DipAVN and this is more recognised at the moment.

Hope this helps a bit!