Access to HE Diploma (Veterinary Science) - Level 3

This course has been designed and validated by CAVA with input and advice from veterinary schools. The programme has been accepted by a number of veterinary schools in England, including the Royal Veterinary College, Harper / Keele and the University of Surrey, as a route to applying to become a veterinary student.

On the programme, students are taught the core science subjects required for entry to vet schools but are also taught subjects that will provide students with knowledge specifically tailored to the role of the vet e.g. veterinary law and the veterinary environment.

The course is held at our Cambridge campus in Milton, where Animal Management and Veterinary Nursing programmes have successfully ran for years.

What will I do on this course?

You will cover topics including:

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Role and Regulation of the Vet and Veterinary Environment

The College of West Anglia is a longstanding and successful provider of Access to Higher Education courses and understands the challenges which come with retraining or getting back into education. This course will also give you the opportunity to refresh your maths and English skills and help prepare you for higher education with study skills sessions (e.g. research methods, assignment writing techniques and referencing).

You will need:

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language, maths and science. Functional skills qualifications in English and Maths at level 2 are considered equivalent.

• A minimum of 4 weeks of animal related work experience (preferably with time spent in a veterinary practice). You and your supervisor will be asked to complete a work experience feedback form to evidence this.

How long is this course?

1 year

When does this course start?

03/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

This course will be taught over two full days through face-to-face delivery- Thursday and Friday - each week.

Fee information

Adult (19+) learners

Depending on your age, course, educational history and personal circumstances, there may be options available for you to receive a course fully-funded by the government. Our fee calculator will help give you an idea on whether you'll be able to have your course fee waived or covered by an Advanced Learner Loan.

Complete our fee calculator

Learners with an active Education, Health & Care Plan

If you are aged 19 - 24 at the start of your course and have an active Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), any course up to and including level 3 will be fully-funded by the government. This means you will not have a course fee to pay and any equipment considered essential to complete your course will be provided by the college.

What qualification will I achieve?

The Access to Higher Education course (depending upon the final qualification) is equivalent to A-Levels. It is recognised by higher education institutions, advanced apprenticeships, business, retail and appropriate professions. Our Access to Higher Education courses are validated by the Cambridge Access Validating Agency and the qualification is universally recognised as demanding and rigorously assessed.

How is my course assessed?

Theoretical and practical elements of the course curriculum will be assessed using a variety of methods, including computer based exercises, essays, practical reports, laboratory skills, project reports and seen and unseen examinations.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

The number of UCAS tariff points for an Access to Higher Education diploma varies between 48 and 144 points, depending on your grade for each module.

Access to Higher Education qualifications are split into a total of 45 graded credits and each module will have a different credit weighting (for example, one module may be worth 3 units and another may be worth 6). For each graded module, you'll achieve a pass, merit or distinction and these each carry a different amount of UCAS points (with pass being the lowest and distinction being the highest).

For example, if you pass each graded module, you will achieve 48 UCAS points. If you gain a distinction in each graded module, you will achieve 144 UCAS points (equivalent to three A grades at A Level).

We've included some examples below of what grades you need to achieve common UCAS tariff point entry requirements:

You can find more details on the UCAS Tariff points calculator here.