Mature Student with Unrelated Degree and Veterinary Medicine

Hi all. I'll be as brief as I can be, but I really need some advice.
I'm both a Canadian and UK citizen. I moved to the UK in 2009 by myself when I was 19. I graduated in 2016 with a BSc Hons in Game Art. (3D Modelling for games.)
I've always wanted to be a veterinary surgeon, but never had faith in myself because I come from a horrendous educational background where I never actually graduated highschool. Although I was raised by two nurses and had a keen interest in medicine, I figured I had screwed my life up and pursued other areas of interest. I was a creature modeller / nonhuman anatomical specialist and freelance illustrator for a few years, but the financial instability of the industry has destroyed me for the last time and I have really found myself in a position where I have to re-evaluate. I'm 31 now, I feel like if I'm going to achieve my dreams I really needed to have started on that 10 years ago, but I'm trying now. This is my plan, let me know if it makes any sense. All of this background is because I don't fit into the usual box.

I'm currently getting a Veterinary Assistant diploma and I'm doing very well at it. My aim is to absolutely destroy this course and ask for a letter of recommendation from the tutor.
I have been in touch with several veterinary clinics who say they will be happy to take me on as a volunteer in another month or so when COVID clears up a little more.
I am hoping to enrol somewhere for an A Level online this coming September. I have the interest and the aptitude for Biology so I am investigating that.

My aim is to get work experience at these clinics, this DipVA qualification and a letter of recommendation from whoever will support my application, as well as in my personal statement citing my previous degree as making me uniquely well-suited towards prosthetics and/or orthopaedics because of my abilities with 3D Modelling software, as well as being evidence of my academic ability. I have some experience managing a pet shop when I was a teenager but that's a long time ago.

I suppose other than that, I'm a little bit at a loss of what I can do. I know if I'm given a shot, I will do well. I do not have a family who supports me, I am completely on my own. I do not give up easily, despite what this career change may seem like. I know that if I got a place on a course, I'd need to find the tuition funding and I've been exploring avenues, but that's carts before horses at this point. A Levels are also ridiculously expensive, but I'm investigating what, if any, options exist that don't involve them. I don't have the grades, but I do have a degree with a good mark, and I do have the aptitude.

Should I get in touch with the Admissions of any of the universities to explain this or ask for advice?
Does my plan make any sense?
Will the universities' applications board take into account my situation?

Thanks for reading this far, I genuinely appreciate it.

Hi all. I'll be as brief as I can be, but I really need some advice.
I'm both a Canadian and UK citizen. I moved to the UK in 2009 by myself when I was 19. I graduated in 2016 with a BSc Hons in Game Art. (3D Modelling for games.)
I've always wanted to be a veterinary surgeon, but never had faith in myself because I come from a horrendous educational background where I never actually graduated highschool. Although I was raised by two nurses and had a keen interest in medicine, I figured I had screwed my life up and pursued other areas of interest. I was a creature modeller / nonhuman anatomical specialist and freelance illustrator for a few years, but the financial instability of the industry has destroyed me for the last time and I have really found myself in a position where I have to re-evaluate. I'm 31 now, I feel like if I'm going to achieve my dreams I really needed to have started on that 10 years ago, but I'm trying now. This is my plan, let me know if it makes any sense. All of this background is because I don't fit into the usual box.

I'm currently getting a Veterinary Assistant diploma and I'm doing very well at it. My aim is to absolutely destroy this course and ask for a letter of recommendation from the tutor.
I have been in touch with several veterinary clinics who say they will be happy to take me on as a volunteer in another month or so when COVID clears up a little more.
I am hoping to enrol somewhere for an A Level online this coming September. I have the interest and the aptitude for Biology so I am investigating that.

My aim is to get work experience at these clinics, this DipVA qualification and a letter of recommendation from whoever will support my application, as well as in my personal statement citing my previous degree as making me uniquely well-suited towards prosthetics and/or orthopaedics because of my abilities with 3D Modelling software, as well as being evidence of my academic ability. I have some experience managing a pet shop when I was a teenager but that's a long time ago.

I suppose other than that, I'm a little bit at a loss of what I can do. I know if I'm given a shot, I will do well. I do not have a family who supports me, I am completely on my own. I do not give up easily, despite what this career change may seem like. I know that if I got a place on a course, I'd need to find the tuition funding and I've been exploring avenues, but that's carts before horses at this point. A Levels are also ridiculously expensive, but I'm investigating what, if any, options exist that don't involve them. I don't have the grades, but I do have a degree with a good mark, and I do have the aptitude.

Should I get in touch with the Admissions of any of the universities to explain this or ask for advice?
Does my plan make any sense?
Will the universities' applications board take into account my situation?

Thanks for reading this far, I genuinely appreciate it.

I would contact admissions for each uni because it is quite a specific situation and I couldn't see any references regarding a DipVA in the admissions statements. I know that whilst they accept BSc degrees for graduate entry, you usually also need at least a B at A-Level for Bio and Chem. Maybe look into foundation years/gateway programmes? However, if you're looking into doing an A-level online, would it be a possibility for you to do two which would make your life easier come application time?

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the course (I'm a preclinical at Liverpool and also did a BSc (Hons) in Bioveterinary Science)

Thank you - I have been in touch with Liverpool's Admissions department regarding their Gateway Year 0 program.
They said I sound like the ideal applicant, and advised against my pursuing an A-Level if I am tailoring myself to get one of the 5 yearly spots offered for Vet Med on the Gateway. The way I see it, Liverpool's Gateway course is perhaps the best, if not the only, route for me to become a veterinary surgeon given my extremely non-standard background.
I don't currently have any GCSEs at all, but there's a college up the road and I've signed up to blast through English and Biology. Slightly less blasting ability for Maths but I will give it my best. I need to get a minimum of Bs across the board. I'm fairly confident in my ability to excel in English and Biology but Maths will require some special effort.
They say they require 5 GCSEs including core and some other things that aren't offered at the college. Once I have the qualifications and the diploma in hand, I'll try contacting them again before my application. I'm really banking on the fact that I can show them I've done my absolute best considering my past. I'm 31, I can't just literally go back to highschool. I can, however, get these GCSEs, this diploma, and volunteer experience in a clinic.

I honestly believe my previous career in 3D art may be helpful for me in development as a surgeon, particularly with respect to prosthesis and orthopaedics.

Thanks so much for reading my situation and offering help. (That goes for the other thread respondents, too!)
I'll be doing my best to get myself set up this coming academic year whilst I attain these GCSEs, and then we'll see what happens.

Hi all. I'll be as brief as I can be, but I really need some advice.
I'm both a Canadian and UK citizen. I moved to the UK in 2009 by myself when I was 19. I graduated in 2016 with a BSc Hons in Game Art. (3D Modelling for games.)
I've always wanted to be a veterinary surgeon, but never had faith in myself because I come from a horrendous educational background where I never actually graduated highschool. Although I was raised by two nurses and had a keen interest in medicine, I figured I had screwed my life up and pursued other areas of interest. I was a creature modeller / nonhuman anatomical specialist and freelance illustrator for a few years, but the financial instability of the industry has destroyed me for the last time and I have really found myself in a position where I have to re-evaluate. I'm 31 now, I feel like if I'm going to achieve my dreams I really needed to have started on that 10 years ago, but I'm trying now. This is my plan, let me know if it makes any sense. All of this background is because I don't fit into the usual box.

I'm currently getting a Veterinary Assistant diploma and I'm doing very well at it. My aim is to absolutely destroy this course and ask for a letter of recommendation from the tutor.
I have been in touch with several veterinary clinics who say they will be happy to take me on as a volunteer in another month or so when COVID clears up a little more.
I am hoping to enrol somewhere for an A Level online this coming September. I have the interest and the aptitude for Biology so I am investigating that.

My aim is to get work experience at these clinics, this DipVA qualification and a letter of recommendation from whoever will support my application, as well as in my personal statement citing my previous degree as making me uniquely well-suited towards prosthetics and/or orthopaedics because of my abilities with 3D Modelling software, as well as being evidence of my academic ability. I have some experience managing a pet shop when I was a teenager but that's a long time ago.

I suppose other than that, I'm a little bit at a loss of what I can do. I know if I'm given a shot, I will do well. I do not have a family who supports me, I am completely on my own. I do not give up easily, despite what this career change may seem like. I know that if I got a place on a course, I'd need to find the tuition funding and I've been exploring avenues, but that's carts before horses at this point. A Levels are also ridiculously expensive, but I'm investigating what, if any, options exist that don't involve them. I don't have the grades, but I do have a degree with a good mark, and I do have the aptitude.

Should I get in touch with the Admissions of any of the universities to explain this or ask for advice?
Does my plan make any sense?
Will the universities' applications board take into account my situation?

Thanks for reading this far, I genuinely appreciate it.

Can I ask what board or website you're using to get the Veterinary Assistant diploma? I'm really interested in doing a similar diploma to boost my application (I'm also a non-traditional student!)

But I agree with the other posters - having a degree will show that you're capable of doing university-level work. I think if you can get the experience (most applications only need anywhere from 70-150hrs), a letter of reference and the GCSEs needed, you have a great shot! Also check out Cambridge, because they allocate a certain number of spots JUST for non-traditional students! And your interest in prosthetics and background knowledge in 3D modeling will probably go far with Cambridge too since they like to focus on the ''science-y'' research side of Vet Med.

Good luck to you!!!!!! I think you will get accepted.