Level 3 Access To Higher Education Diploma (Land Based Studies) - Animal Pathway

Meet the university entry requirements and take the first step towards a career in animal care.

If animals are what you’ve always wanted to work with, the Access to HE Diploma (Land Based Science) is a Level 3 course built to help you move into higher education. It’s designed to support progression onto degrees in animal science, veterinary nursing, zoology, and other animal management-focused subjects. And if you’re short on the grades you need for university, this diploma can still get you the background knowledge and practical skills to apply with confidence.

The whole course is aimed at getting you ready for work in animal care. You’ll cover essential topics that support animal science degree study, including animal handling, animal behaviour and welfare, and animal biology.

This course is split into the following units:

• • Preparing a Written Assignment
  • Academic Writing Skills
  • Independent Research
  • Animal Organs and Systems
  • Animal Handling
  • Physiology and Biochemistry of Respiration
  • Biochemistry
  • The Evolution of Multicellular Animals
  • Animal Behaviour and Welfare
  • Animal Nutrition and Digestive Systems
  • Ecology, Ecosystems and Environmental Management
  • Plant Biology
  • Environmental Issues
  • Aspects of Animal Biology
  • Animal Physiology
  • Biodiversity

To join this Access to Higher Education Diploma, you’ll need to meet the entry requirements below:

• • You must be 19 or older at the start of the course
  • You’ll need a Level 2 Maths and English qualification (GCSE or equivalent, including Level 2 qualifications earned outside England). During enrolment, we’ll ask to see copies of your certificates
  • Full access to a laptop
  • Reliable internet access
  • You must live in England

Normally, applicants need at least two Level 2 qualifications (or above). That said, we can sometimes review cases where a learner only has an English qualification. If you need it, we can also support you with Functional Skills in English and/or Maths while you study the Access to HE course.

As part of the enrolment process, you’ll take part in a telephone interview and complete a short written assessment. This helps us make sure the course is the right fit and the level matches what you need.

Meeting entry requirements for University:

Many learners complete an Access to Higher Education Diploma as a step towards university in the longer term.

Your tutors will support and guide you with your individual application, but it’s still your job to look up the exact entry requirements for the university course you want to progress onto.

An Access to HE Diploma is made up of units worth 45 graded credits and 15 ungraded credits. Throughout the modules, you’ll complete a series of assignments that come together as your electronic portfolio. You’ll be assessed through formal written assignments, which build a clear record of your work.

Access courses are designed for people who haven’t been in education for a while. So if you left school without the qualifications you needed to go straight into university, this can be a really good option. You’ll build a solid level of knowledge and skills along the way, so you feel ready to start a degree. Whether you’re switching careers, returning to study after a gap from work and education, or aiming for something you genuinely care about, an Access to HE course could be exactly what you need.

Access to Higher Education courses are planned to help you move into the university course you want. Possible degree options after this course include:

Animal-related Courses

• • BSc Animal Science
  • BSc Animal Behaviour
  • BSc Animal Welfare & Management
  • BSc Bioveterinary Sciences
  • BSc Zoology
  • BSc Veterinary Nursing (with extra qualifications, for example GCSE Science)
  • FdSc Equine Science/Equine Management

Veterinary and Biological Sciences

• • BSc Veterinary Biosciences
  • BSc Biology or Life Sciences (this depends on the content of your Access course and the university entry requirements)
  • BSc Animal Biology

Yes. This course is accredited by AIM Group. When you finish, you’ll be awarded a national qualification that many universities across England and Wales accept as an entry requirement.

These courses are intended to be studied part-time over 47 weeks. Our Access to HE courses are structured to feel like university timetables, with learning organised into grouped terms called modules.

Our Access to HE Diplomas are delivered online, so you can learn from where you are. You’ll log into our online learning platform, work through your study independently, and complete interactive sessions that really help your learning stick.

Studying online doesn’t mean you’re left on your own. You’ll have full support from experienced tutors, plus a dedicated engagement support team who are there throughout your course.

Because this is an online course, you’ll need access to a laptop or PC to complete your diploma.

Once you’ve completed the course and moved on to university, you’ll open the door to a range of career options.

Possible roles include:

• • Animal Care Assistant
  • Veterinary Nurse
  • Zookeeper
  • Animal Welfare Officer
  • Wildlife Rehabilitator
  • Zoological Field Assistant
  • Marine Mammal Observer
  • Dog Trainer
  • Animal Behaviourist
  • Falconer

If you’d rather pay for this course yourself, you can request interest-free payments through Premium Credit.

Get in touch with our team today, or call us on 01388 777129 to find out more!

If you’d rather pay for this course yourself, you can request interest-free payments through Premium Credit.

Get in touch with our team today, or call us on 01388 777129 to find out more!

Looking for a different option to Premium Credit? You can self-fund this course instead. We accept the following payment methods:

Pay in 12 Interest Free Instalments

If you want to spread the cost with interest-free finance, you can apply with Premium Credit.

Call us on 01388 777 129 to talk through the option.

We want your enrolment process to be as stress-free as possible. That’s why we have a dedicated team who move quickly, respond to questions fast, and help you get enrolled, inducted, and set up on the programme in a smooth, organised way.