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Access to Higher Education Veterinary Science and Zoology
Your Journey to University Starts Here. An Access to Higher Education course is a flexible, focused route designed for adults looking to return to study. It prepares you for university-level learning and opens the door to a wide range of university degree options.
If you have a passion for animals and a dream of making a difference, our Access to Higher Education Diploma in Veterinary Science and Zoology is the perfect first step.
- A-level Equivalent
- Equivalent to 3x A-levels, with similar UCAS points and academic standing.
- Start any time
- With our Access to HE course, you can start whenever you like.
- Recognised Qualification
- This qualification is recognised by all UK universities.
- Fast Track
- In a rush? You can complete this course in half the time, at no extra charge.
- Unlimited Tutor Support™
- Get as much help as you want from your expert personal tutor.
- Online Learning
- Study on your own terms with our learning platform, MyOxbridge™.
Course Introduction
Veterinary Science and Zoology offer exciting and meaningful careers where you can protect animal health, support conservation efforts, and play a vital role in safeguarding the future of our planet’s incredible wildlife.
Animals have always been a source of joy and intrigue, so turning your desire to work with them into reality can be the ideal route to furthering your career. If you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to combine passion with a positive impact, then look no further than our Access to Higher Education Veterinary Course.
Switch your goals up a gear without jumping through multiple hoops – this level 3 equivalent allows entry into a veterinary degree or veterinary nursing degree. Take away the hassle of choosing multiple A-level courses by consolidating all your requirements under one umbrella course. Also, depending on the final grade achieved, learners can earn up to 144 UCAS points upon completion of this course.
All Access to Higher Education courses include units covering key skills that learners will find most useful when they continue into higher education. These units are designed to prepare students and equip them with the knowledge needed to study at a degree level. What’s more, we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Course Info
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Difficulty
- Credits
- UCAS Points
- Units
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600
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9 or 18 months
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Level 3
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up to 60
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up to 144
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18
units
(view
units)
Awarding Body: Open Awards
Open Awards is a UK-based Awarding Body. Open Awards provide Ofqual regulated qualifications and units across multiple subject areas, such as Access to HE courses.
UCAS
This course carries UCAS points. This means that it can be used to gain direct access to university courses and other higher education qualifications, through the UCAS system.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
Unit 1: Study Skills: Developing Research Skills & Using Information
Research is a fundamental skill in higher education and in this unit we explore the different approaches to academic research and how you can use it in your work to add depth and evidence to points you make. We also look at how to properly credit original authors and use Harvard referencing to show where important information has come from.
Unit 2: Chemical & Acid-Base Equilibria
In this unit we explore the idea of chemical equilibria both in terms of dynamic equilibria where a reaction can proceed both forwards and backwards as well as the behaviour and reactions of acids and bases. We explore the nature of buffer solutions and identify that the dissociation of water is an example of a homogenous equilibrium.
Unit 3: Energetics
In this unit we look at the energy changes that accompany all chemical reactions and identify exothermic and endothermic examples. We introduce the concept of enthalpy and use the Born-Haber cycle to understand and describe enthalpy changes in reactions.
Unit 4: Organic Chemistry
This unit introduces the fundamentals organic chemistry, the chemistry of compounds based primarily on carbon. We look at the system we use for naming and describing these compounds and we compare different homologous series and their reactions and properties and explain the similarities and differences.
Unit 5: Periodicity
The periodic table is vital in our understanding of the known chemical elements. In this unit we look at the information it provides us and how we can use it to identify trends and patterns in behaviour amongst the groups and periods.
Unit 6: Reacting Amounts
In this unit we explore the different ways in which we calculate and compare amounts of substance. We explain the idea of the mole and demonstrate then methods used in acid-base titrations, following the volumes and pHs and temperature changes involved.
Unit 7: Structure & Bonding
In this unit we look to explain some of the most important chemical properties as a result of the structure of the atom and the subatomic particles it contains. We look at how different elements have different numbers of electrons, protons and neutrons and how this impacts their properties, and we explain the different types of bonding that can occur between elements.
Unit 8: Body Defences
In this unit we explore the human immune system and how the body is equipped with adaptations to protect itself from disease. We consider the role of pathogens as the cause of infectious diseases and contrast specific and non-specific defences against disease.
Unit 9: Biological Molecules
This unit looks at a group of complex molecules we collectively refer to as biological molecules – carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. We consider the vital role of each and the building blocks from which they are made.
Unit 10: Exchange & Transport of Gases
This unit focusses on the different body systems that allow the exchange and transport of gases including the circulatory and respiratory system. We explore the close relationship between the two, identifying the crucial organs and their roles in ensuring the body’s cells are supplied with oxygen and relieved of carbon dioxide.
Unit 11: Genetics
The Genetics unit offers a comprehensive introduction to the principles of genetic inheritance and variation. It provides both theoretical understanding and practical application, helping you develop essential scientific skills in a biological context.
Unit 12: The Cell
The Cell unit provides essential knowledge about the microscopic building blocks of life. It focuses on understanding cellular structure, function, and processes through both theoretical knowledge and applied scientific analysis.-
Unit 13: Organisation of the Body
This unit offers a vital overview of how the human body is structured and functions. This unit focuses on biological organisation from the cellular level through to complex systems, and introduces you to specialised cells, tissues, and modern applications such as tissue engineering.
Unit 14: Algebra
Within this unit, you will be equipped with the essential mathematical skills and techniques required. This unit introduces you to various algebraic concepts and methods used in higher-level problem solving, mathematical modelling, and data analysis.
Unit 15: Differentiation
The Differentiation unit introduces you to one of the core concepts in calculus, helping you understand how mathematical change is measured and applied in scientific and technical fields.
Unit 16: Integration
This Integration unit provides you with a foundational understanding of integral calculus, an essential branch of mathematics with broad applications.
Unit 17: Logarithms & Exponentials
This Logarithms and Exponentials unit introduces you to essential mathematical concepts that are widely applied across science, engineering, and economics.
Unit 18: Statistical Methods
This final unit introduces you to key statistical techniques used in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This unit is designed to help you gain confidence in applying statistics to real-world problems and making informed data-based decisions.
Course Outcome
The Access to Higher Education Diploma is a widely accepted qualification by universities that provides an alternative pathway into higher education.
Access to HE courses are equivalent to three A-level courses.
At the same level as A-levels, Access to HE courses carry UCAS points which can be used to gain entry to your chosen university. The number of UCAS points awarded depends on the learner’s outcome of the course, i.e. pass, merit or distinction. Calculate your points based on your grade with this UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Completion dates
You can start studying at any time, but due to restrictions by the awarding body, the course can only be officially certified in June/July every year.
- If you enrol between January and October, you will work towards completion by June or July of the following year.
- If you enrol in November or December, your expected completion date is June or July of the year after that.
Progression Routes
Once you complete the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Veterinary Science and Zoology, you could progress onto:
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A degree in Veterinary Science to become a Veterinary Surgeon
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A degree in Zoology leading to careers in wildlife research, conservation, or animal behaviour
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Related degrees such as Animal Science, Marine Biology, Animal Management, or Veterinary Nursing
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Veterinary training programs to become a Veterinary Nurse, Animal Care Specialist, or Equine Specialist
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Research roles in wildlife conservation, zoological parks, animal sanctuaries, or government agencies focusing on environmental protection
This course is a gateway to various university-level studies and rewarding careers focused on animal health, welfare, research, and conservation.
Examinations and Assessments
There are no formal examinations for this course, which is great if you don’t like taking exams.
During your studies and at the end of each unit, you will be asked to complete a variety of different styles of assignments. Assessed and graded by your assessor, these assignments test your knowledge of each module, whilst allowing you to develop a wide range of skills that are vital to higher education.
Things to Consider for University Entry
If you wish to follow your completion of this course with a University degree, we advise that you first check the entry requirements of that specific degree course with the University that you wish to attend, as each institution can be different.
For example, many degree-level courses require students to have completed specific GCSE courses with specific grades. These typically include a minimum grade of C or 4 in GCSE English and GCSE Maths. If you don’t hold these qualifications yet, they are required for your University applications; we can work with you to achieve those alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma.
Entry Requirements
The minimum study age is 19. Universities in the UK widely recognise these courses as an alternative to ‘traditional’ A-level qualifications for entry into undergraduate courses.