ACCANSFT

The Access to HE (Veterinary Science) Diploma Pathway to Animal Science is a level 3 designed for adult learners.  It is equivalent to 3 A-levels and is one year long.  It is essentially the two-year level 3 Animal Management condensed into a year.  It provides a course of study that will be accepted by Universities and Colleges of Higher Education although they do not guarantee you a place. Common career paths for those studying on the course are veterinary nursing, animal behaviour and zoology.

Access to HE is a 60-credit diploma which constitute the following:

Animal Science and Animal Management Subject groups

• Animal organs and systems
• Animal Physiology
• Animal Health and Disease
• Animal Nutrition and Digestion
• Evolution and Multicellular Animals
• Biodiversity
• Conservation
• Reproduction
• The Roles and Responsibilities of Veterinary Practitioners
• Aspects of Animal Biology
• Extended Essay

Study Skills and Introductory Units

• Academic Study Techniques
• Progressing to HE
• Seminar
• Animal Cells and Tissues

There are a range of strategies used to assess each unit on the science diploma, these vary and could come in the form of a presentation, a professional discussion, essay, podcast, academic poster, report or video. Each assessment will be marked and graded by your lecturer and then returned to you along with useful feedback and tips for improvement.

You require a GCSE grade C/ 4 in English Language or an equivalent qualification, such as L2 Functional Skills English.

It is desirable to have GCSE grade C/ 4 in Maths or an equivalent qualification, such as L2 Functional Skills Maths as well. If not, you can study this alongside your Access Diploma, as you will need it for your degree qualification.

1 year full time course

Course timetable to be confirmed

Start date: September 2025

The cost of the course is approx £3400

Find out more about funding your course here