The Student Room Group

preliminary vet year or just sit a level chem and bio privately

title says it all, i got A*AB at a level but they were in the wrong subjects :/ uclan and notts offer courses for people like me but of course they're incredibly competitive and i don't know whether i should just do a level bio and chem privately (i'm well aware of the amount of work i'd have to put in and the costs) or i should just try my hardest to get into those said courses. i've already done my a levels and i'm on a gap year so i'm at a bit of an advantage i suppose but they're still incredibly competitive and i just don't know how to go about this in the best way.
Reply 1
Original post by ghala_exe
title says it all, i got A*AB at a level but they were in the wrong subjects :/ uclan and notts offer courses for people like me but of course they're incredibly competitive and i don't know whether i should just do a level bio and chem privately (i'm well aware of the amount of work i'd have to put in and the costs) or i should just try my hardest to get into those said courses. i've already done my a levels and i'm on a gap year so i'm at a bit of an advantage i suppose but they're still incredibly competitive and i just don't know how to go about this in the best way.

If you are willing and able to take the effort and costs to do a level bio and chem, I think it would be the best option as you would have more possibilities for vetmed courses to apply to. However, there is always a chance you could get into one of these courses. I may be mistaken but I think there is also a foundation year at Liverpool that you may be eligible for.
Just so I can get a better understanding of your situation, how come you didn't do biology and chem at a-level, did you recently realise you wanted to pursue vet med? If so, have you done work experience?
Reply 2
Original post by marti3x
If you are willing and able to take the effort and costs to do a level bio and chem, I think it would be the best option as you would have more possibilities for vetmed courses to apply to. However, there is always a chance you could get into one of these courses. I may be mistaken but I think there is also a foundation year at Liverpool that you may be eligible for.
Just so I can get a better understanding of your situation, how come you didn't do biology and chem at a-level, did you recently realise you wanted to pursue vet med? If so, have you done work experience?

i've done work experience yeah except probably not sufficient, i did 1 week and most require 5 weeks, i didn't do bio and chem because in year 12 i'd initially wanted to get into law so i did all essay subjects 😕 realized i want to get into something more medical but my mum didn't want me to resit a year so i here i am but now i'm loathing the idea of going into law. i think liverpool does it only for mature students
Reply 3
Original post by marti3x
If you are willing and able to take the effort and costs to do a level bio and chem, I think it would be the best option as you would have more possibilities for vetmed courses to apply to. However, there is always a chance you could get into one of these courses. I may be mistaken but I think there is also a foundation year at Liverpool that you may be eligible for.
Just so I can get a better understanding of your situation, how come you didn't do biology and chem at a-level, did you recently realise you wanted to pursue vet med? If so, have you done work experience?

i'm honestly more than willing to take those subjects privately but the issue is the costs as well as being able to get the predicted grades for them, on top of juggling the work experience and having to write a personal statement. i'm determined and willing to work hard but i don't know feasible it is especially given how competitive veterinary medicine is
Reply 4
Original post by ghala_exe
title says it all, i got A*AB at a level but they were in the wrong subjects :/ uclan and notts offer courses for people like me but of course they're incredibly competitive and i don't know whether i should just do a level bio and chem privately (i'm well aware of the amount of work i'd have to put in and the costs) or i should just try my hardest to get into those said courses. i've already done my a levels and i'm on a gap year so i'm at a bit of an advantage i suppose but they're still incredibly competitive and i just don't know how to go about this in the best way.

Have you thought about doing a one year access course? You even have the price tag reimbursed at the end of your degree. It gives you the possibility amongst others of applying to some 5 year courses and other Gateway paths. @ALEreapp can tell you more.
(edited 3 months ago)
Reply 5
Original post by ghala_exe
i'm honestly more than willing to take those subjects privately but the issue is the costs as well as being able to get the predicted grades for them, on top of juggling the work experience and having to write a personal statement. i'm determined and willing to work hard but i don't know feasible it is especially given how competitive veterinary medicine is

If you decide to apply with your current qualifications you will need to make your application very competitive. Make sure you are very committed to pursuing this career. Do a lot more work experience, since you are taking a gap year, try to get a paid experience that will allow you to earn money for uni, whilst gaining valuable work experience that will make you a competitive applicant. You need to be able to show that realising you wanted to pursue this career later doesn't make you any less committed, tell universities how you realised you wanted to pursue it and have your work experience to back you up.
No matter what you decide to do, I hope I helped as much as I can and know that if you want to become a vet, you will. Even if it takes a little longer to get there :smile:

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