Conversion Courses & Examinations for Existing SQPs

Conversion Courses

Before October 2008 all SQPs with an “X” prefix to their AMTRA number (XSQPs), i.e. those SQPs who have successfully completed an APL form and had formal notification that their APL has been accepted and 30 credits (merchants) or 15 credits (saddlers) awarded, must successfully complete an assessment. This has been variously described as an “upgrade”, a “top-up exam”, and a “conversion examination”. To avoid further confusion the word “CONVERSION” will be used.

The Conversion examination for XSQPs will involve a short paper, with both multiple choice and short answer questions, plus a case study. Four to six weeks prior to the date of your Conversion examination  XSQPs will be sent two case studies, then for the assessment they will be asked to complete one of them (a NOAH Compendium will be provided for the use of each student in the exam room) – but they will not know which one in advance, and will not be allowed to take preparation work into the examination room.

The charge for the upgrading assessment will be £135 – the same for all XSQPs. This fee is both non-refundable and non-transferable.

It will not be possible for all XSQPs to be accommodated at a Conversion exam in the second half of 2008 – if too many leave it until the last minute then many will find it impossible to book a Conversion exam before the deadline and would then lose their SQP status. So do take an early opportunity to take the Conversion examination – and convert from an XSQP to a QSQP.

Conversion examinations are now available. To book a conversion examination please complete and return to AMTRA the personalised conversion examination form that was sent to you by Harper Adams with the notification that your APL form had been accepted (the Notification of Performance).

Examination Centres and Taught Revision Courses

Current AMTRA Examination centres also offering training courses are listed below, with the timetable of courses and examinations currently on offer. Further examination centres and courses will be added to this list as they become available. Check the AMTRA website (www.amtra.org.uk) for the most up to date information.

SQPs must apply to AMTRA to sit a particular examination, but book any training/revision (where offered) with the college directly.

•  Rules & Regulations for AMTRA Exams

ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE, YORK

Conversion examinations:

24 September 2008 (course 10.30am-12.30pm)

A two hour revision session will be held from 10-12am on all Conversion examination dates at a cost of £60. Please contact the college for further details and an enrolment form.

Askham Bryan College, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3FR
Contact: Sarah Wickham
Email: shortcourses@askham-bryan.ac.uk
Telephone: 01904 772200

BETA (British Equine Trade Association)

Conversion Revision Courses (Equine & Companion Animal ONLY) and Examinations to be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire:

Conversion Examinations:

17 July 2008
10 September 2008
18 September 2008

For details of Conversion Revision Courses please contact:

BETA, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AW
Email: info@beta-uk.org
Telephone: 01937 587062

BICTON COLLEGE, DEVON

Conversion Revision Course: 4 September 2008
Conversion Examination: 5 September 2008

Bicton charge £120 for the revision course.

Bicton College, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7BY
Contact: Alan Johnson
Email: ajjohnson@bicton.ac.uk
Telephone: 01395 562300
Fax: 01395 567502

GREENMOUNT CAMPUS, ANTRIM

Conversion Course - 08 September 2008
Conversion Examination - 15 September 2008

Greenmount will charge £60 for Merchants and £45 for Saddlers Revision Courses

Greenmount Campus, CAFRE, 22 Greenmount Road, Antrim, Northern Ireland. BT41 4PU

Contact: Louise Millsopp
Tel: 028 9442 6634
Fax: 028 9442 6901
Email: louise.millsopp@dardni.gov.uk

HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, SHROPSHIRE

Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
Contact: Lisa Chapman, Short Course Administrator
Email: lchapman@harper-adams.ac.uk
Telephone 01952 815300

MOULTON COLLEGE, NORTHAMPTON

Conversion Revision Course - 17 & 18 July 2008 (9-5pm both days)
Conversion Examination - 21 July 2008

For details of training courses please contact the college direct.

Holcot Centre
Moulton College
Moulton
Northants
NN3 7RR

Contact: Claire Whitworth or Holcot Reception
Email: whitworth@moulton.ac.uk
Tel: 01604 491131

PLUMPTON COLLEGE, EAST SUSSEX

Conversion Examination: 23 September 2008

Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, Plumpton, Nr Lewes, East Sussex BN7 3AE
Email: michelle.ward@plumpton.ac.uk
Tel: 01273 892055

SAC (Scottish Agricultural College)

Conversion revision courses will be held at:

SAC, Auchincruive, Ayr 29-30 July 2008
SAC, Craibstone, Aberdeen 24-25 September 2008

Conversion examinations will be held at:

SAC Auchincruive, Ayr 31 July 2008
SAC, Craibstone, Aberdeen 26 September 2008 (am)

For further details of courses and costs please contact:

Jill Offer
Avian Science Research Centre
SAC
Auchincruive
Ayr KA6 5HW

Phone: 01292 525101 Fax: 01292 525098
email: jill.offer@sac.ac.uk

UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN

Conversion examinations:

23 July 2008

For further details please contact Simon Goodger:

University of Lincoln, Riseholme Hall, Lincoln, LN2 2LG
Email: sgoodger@lincoln.ac.uk
Telephone: 01522 895295
Fax: 01522 545436

WRITTLE COLLEGE, CHELMSFORD

A two hour revision session will be held from 10-12am on the day of the conversion examinations. For further information on cost and to book please contact the college direct.

Conversion Examinations:
29 July 2008
2 September 2008

Contact: Michelle Williams
Writtle College, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3RR
michelle.williams@writtle.ac.uk
Tel: 01245 424200 extn 25697
Fax: 01245 420456

SQPs must apply to AMTRA to sit a particular examination, but book any training/revision (where offered) with the college directly.

This page last updated 08/07/2008