Access to HE Online

Veterinary Science

AIMS OF THE COURSE

THE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION (HE) DIPLOMA IS A QUALIFICATION, EQUIVALENT TO A LEVEL, WHICH ALLOWS STUDENTS TO GO ON AND STUDY HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES INCLUDING BACHELOR’S DEGREES, FOUNDATION DEGREES, HIGHER NATIONAL CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS (HNC/HND) AND HIGHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS. ACCESS TO HE COURSES ARE AVAILABLE IN A WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT SUBJECTS AND ARE WIDELY RECOGNISED BY UK UNIVERSITIES AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.

Contact Us

Email: ELearning@escg.ac.uk
Tel: 030 300 38368

KEY COURSE DETAILS

  • Course code: 61503-01
  • Course Fee: £5197
  • Course length: 12 months
  • Recommended study per week: 15 hours*
  • Total number of units within the course: 17 (including IAG unit: Preparing to Study and Study Skills Portfolio Building unit)

* You should allow a total of around 15 study hours per week to complete the whole qualification, over 12 months. If you study more hours each week, you may finish the course more quickly.

The awarding body requires a minimum engagement length of 6 months on this course (this means you cannot complete the course before a date 6 months after your start date).

Due to limitations with funding, our online Access to HE Diplomas are only available to those who are aged 19 or older on the 31st of August 2024.

ATTENDANCE

This online course doesn’t have any breaks during school holidays – you would study in line with the weekly expected study time (15 hours per week). Your attendance online should be at least twice a week for a minimum study session of 30 mins. If you schedule a holiday, we would ask that you notify us of the dates so we can make a note of the dates you won’t be logging in.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Based on the level of study we ask that students have the following qualifications upon entry:

  • English – Level 2 Functional Skills, Grade C/4 GCSE
  • Mathematics – Level 2 Functional Skills, Grade C/4 GCSE

Students should have the ambition to study a related degree at a higher education institute or university or Higher Apprenticeship.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are extensively accepted as an alternative to 'A Levels' for University entrance. The Access to Higher Education Diplomas have a reputation of successfully helping students to gain admission to University.

Students should, however, be aware that each university apply their own admissions criteria, and we highly recommend that you research universities prior to applying to this course, to ensure your chosen university accepts this Diploma and the credits and graded units available for each subject area.

Whilst we have confidence that the Access to Higher Education Diplomas are compliant and sufficient to form part of a University application, East Sussex College will not be able to accept any liability for the inability of any Access to Higher Education learner to secure an offer from a Higher Education establishment due to the individual set requirement of each university or higher education institution.

INTERNATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

For students with English and maths qualifications from outside the UK we require evidence of proficiency in English and maths, which can sometimes be met by qualifications obtained abroad. However, it's important for prospective students to verify with the specific higher education institutions whether their international qualifications are accepted. Some institutions may require a GCSE-equivalent qualification or may have specific criteria for recognising international qualifications.

RIGHT TO STUDY

To study for an Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma in the UK, you typically need to be a UK resident. Additionally, meeting residency requirements is often necessary to be eligible for government funding for these courses.

BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS

After successfully completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma, you’ll have a good understanding of essential skills and knowledge areas for higher education study in veterinary science. The diploma covers academic writing, effective reading and note-making strategies, biology, chemistry, animal biology, animal management and maths. This structured approach ensures a well-rounded educational experience, preparing students for the multifaceted nature of veterinary science.

With this qualification, you will be able to enrol on a degree or higher-level apprenticeship that is related to veterinary science. For example:

  • Veterinary Nursing
  • Veterinary Bioscience
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Veterinary Physiotherapy
  • Animal Sciences Zoology
  • Animal Studies
  • Conservation
  • Biology
  • Biological Sciences

There are a wide range of career opportunities for you if you study the Access to HE Diploma (Veterinary Science). After successfully completing a university degree or higher-level apprenticeships, you would be able to start your career in veterinary science. You will have plenty of opportunities available to you. Potential career paths (dependant on the degree you study):

  • Veterinary Surgeon: Diagnose and treat animal illnesses and injuries.
  • Animal Nutritionist: Advise on the dietary needs and feeding regimes for animals.
  • Ecologist: Study animals in their natural habitats and work on conservation projects.
  • Environmental Consultant: Help businesses and public bodies to minimise their impact on the environment.
  • Higher Education Lecturer: Teach and conduct research at universities.
  • Nature Conservation Officer: Work on the protection and management of natural habitats.
  • Research Scientist (Medical/Life Sciences): Conduct studies in various life science fields.
  • Science Writer: Communicate scientific information to the public or professionals.
  • Veterinary Nurse: Assist veterinarians with animal care and surgery.
  • Zoologist: Study animal behaviour, genetics, and various species' interactions with their environments.

COURSE CONTENT

The course consists of 17 Units of Study.

  • unit 1 PREPARING for success – induction unit
    • This introductory unit will provide you with useful information, advice and guidance to enable you to get the most from your studies and help you to decide which options within HE are best suited to you. Once you have completed all of the elements of this introductory section you will be able to progress onto the units of study for your Access to HE Diploma
  • UNIT 2 ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
    • Be able to interpret specific questions
    • Be able to structure a written response
    • Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
    • Understand how to organise and apply information in their academic writing
  • UNIT 3 Reading & Note Making
    • Understand a range of reading strategies
    • Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
    • Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources.
  • UNIT 4 Exploring the STructure and function of cells
    • Understand cellular structure.
    • Understand the processes and products of cellular metabolism.
    • Understand cellular growth, division, and the impact of cancer at a cellular level.
  • UNIT 5 atoms, bonds ands structure
    • Understand atomic structure and relative atomic mass.
    • Be able to write and interpret electronic structures.
    • Understand ion formation and ion bonds.
    • Understand covalent bonds formation.
  • UNIT 6 animal cells, locomotion and sense
    • Understand the biology of animal cells.
    • Understand locomotion of different non-human animals.
    • Understand sensory organs in non-human animals.
  • UNIT 7 cell division and genetic variation
    • Understand cell division.
    • Understand genetic variation.
  • UNIT 8 animal patterns of behaviour, communication and welfare issues
    • Understand non-human animal behaviour patterns and conditioning.
    • Understand non-human animal communication.
    • Understand animal welfare needs and issues affecting welfare of animals in specific contexts.
    • Understand animal welfare law and groups in the UK.
  • uNIT 9 respiration in cells
  • UNIT 10 the digestive system and dietary needs of animals
    • Understand nutrient requirements and sources for an animal.
    • Understand the need for a balanced diet in animals.
    • Understand digestive systems of animals and the impact of ruminating.
    • Be able to calculate the energy requirements and nutritional values required to keep animals healthy.
    • Understand the causes, signs, impact, and treatments for issues arising from nutritional imbalance.
  • UNIT 11 organic concepts and hydrocarbons
    • Understand the impact of organic compounds.
    • Understand alkane structure and reactions.
    • Understand alkene structure and reactions.
  • UNIT 12 major PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES of ANIMALS
    • Understand feeding behaviours of different non-human animals.
    • Understand the respiratory and circulatory differences between different animals.
    • Understand how a range of different types of animals move.
    • Understand reproductive processes and factors of a range of different animals.
  • UNIT 13 chemistry of drugs and medicines
  • UNIT 14 Study Skills portfolio
    • This unit requires you to build a portfolio of evidence which covers a range of different study skills. The different elements of the portfolio will be a combination of work that you have already completed as part of your programme, as well as reflective and evaluative commentary.
  • UNIT 15 numerical analysis of statistical data
    • Be able to devise a statistical investigation.
    • Be able to collect and statistically process data.
    • Be able to apply data analysis to an investigation aim and hypotheses.
    • Be able to critically evaluate an investigation.
  • unit 16 kinetics, energetics, equilibria and acid-base equilibria
    • Be able to calculate solution concentrations.
    • Understand enthalpy change.
    • Be able to analyse data to determine reaction order.
    • Understand chemical equilibrium.
  • unit 17 ecology and ENVIRONMENTAL sciences

DELIVERY STYLE AND ASSESSOR SUPPORT

This online course differs to a classroom course, as you will not be taught. Instead, you will study independently following the online learning materials and completing assignments. Your dedicated unit assessor can be contacted through the message system on the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). If you need any guidance, help, or wish to book in a phone or Teams video support call you can message your assessor or contact the admin team. We allow 12 months to work through the course, so it’s flexible in that you can study when you want eg the course platform is available 24/7 however you will have deadlines to meet to complete each unit assignment. During Induction you will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) including the expected assessment schedule for your course.

Study time includes:

  • working through the interactive content
  • completing the assignments for each unit
  • reading assessor feedback and reviewing course material or other resources as directed
  • resubmitting your assignment where requested

You won’t need to purchase any books unless you wish to supplement these study materials.

ATTENDANCE

The online course is designed to be flexible yet structured, with a 15-hour weekly study expectation and a requirement for students to log in at least twice a week for sessions of no less than 30 minutes each. Holidays can be accommodated; students are simply asked to inform the course administrators of their absence in advance.

The awarding body requires a minimum engagement length of 6 months on this course (this means you cannot complete the course before a date 6 months after your start date).

This structure supports consistent progress while allowing for life's unpredictable moments.

PASS CRITERIA

  • Each unit includes specific Learning Outcomes (as listed in the units) and Assessment Criteria.
  • To achieve a Pass in any assessment you must meet all criteria.
  • The list of detailed Assessment Criteria for each Unit is made available to you on the VLE.

In order to complete this diploma, you must achieve a total of 60 credits. 45 credits graded which are taken from the subject specific areas of biology, chemistry, animal biology, biology, animal management and maths and 15 credits are ungraded from the skills for learning and IAG assessments, chemistry and biology areas.

The Access to HE Diploma (Veterinary Science) is made up modules that fall under specific subject areas. The subjects are:

  • Skills for Learning
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Animal Biology
  • Animal Management
  • Maths

You will be required to submit assessments by a set deadline. To pass the module you must meet all the assessment criteria. After your first submission your assessor will provide feedback. At this point you will either have met all the pass criteria and your module will be graded or will be asked to resubmit your assessment taking on board the assessor’s feedback and you’ll be permitted to make further submission of your work. Once your module has been achieved you can then proceed to the next module of the course. You will continue in this way through until you have completed all modules of the course.

Once all of the assessments are complete and have gone through internal moderation and external moderation the college will then present your grades to the Awarding Body. Our verification dates usually fall in July* and November* (*subject to change).

The awarding organisation is Skills and Education Group Access (SEGA) who are a national Awarding Organisation, regulated by Ofqual, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and Qualifications Wales, to develop and award nationally recognised qualifications.

Access to Higher Education Diplomas are extensively accepted as an alternative to 'A Levels' for University entrance. The Access to Higher Education Diplomas have a reputation of successfully helping students to gain admission to university.

Students should, however, be aware that each university apply their own admissions criteria, and we highly recommend that you research universities prior to applying to this course, to ensure your chosen university accepts this Diploma and the credits and graded units available for each subject area.

Whilst we have confidence that the Access to Higher Education Diplomas are compliant and sufficient to form part of a University application, East Sussex College will not be able to accept any liability for the inability of any Access to Higher Education learner to secure an offer from a Higher Education establishment due to the individual set requirement of each university or higher education institution.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT COURSE FOR ME?

East Sussex College offer a 14-day cooling-off period for this course. This period allows you to evaluate the course and online study method, while also giving the college a chance to assess your suitability. in particular whether you can produce work to meet the academic standards.

You will be set a deadline within the cooling-off period to complete the first assignment.

Enrolment onto the qualification will only proceed once you have passed the first assignment. If the assignment is not passed after three attempts, enrolment will not take place.

This process ensures that both the student and the institution can make informed decisions about the educational journey ahead.

If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan to cover your fees, then this will be activated 14 days from the course start date.

If you wish to withdraw, you may cancel your enrolment by notifying the Administration Team in writing (by e-mail) prior to day 14 and you will owe nothing. After 14 days, you will owe the full course fee plus an administration charge, in line with the ESCG Tuition Fee Policy.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

From the start of the course, you will need to ensure you have the following in place:

  • PC, Laptop, Tablet (smart phones are not recommended as aren’t fully compatible with the VLE)
  • Reliable internet access

PAYING FOR YOUR COURSE

• If you are 23 or under and have no prior Level 3 qualification or higher, then you may be entitled to a tuition fee waiver*
*subject to eligibility and availability check

• If you are over 19 years-old and have a full Level 3 qualification you have two options: an Advanced Learner Loan or self-funding.

ADVANCED LEARNER LOANS

  • This Government loan will be paid directly to the college and is linked to your attendance.
  • You will start to repay your loan when you start to earn over £25,000 per annum (correct at time of posting).
  • If you take out an Advanced Learner Loan to fund an Access to HE Diploma, then go on to complete a higher education course, you’ll be eligible to have the balance of your Advanced Learner Loan written off. However, if you don’t complete either course, you won’t be eligible to have the balance written off and will need to repay your loan in full.

For more information about Advanced Learner Loans visit:
Advanced Leaner Loan Guide to Terms and Conditions for courses starting on or after 1st August 2024

Download Enrolment Form Pre-Course Questionnaire Unit Breakdown Payment Options QAA Access to HE write-off factsheet