Aspiring Veterinary Student!
Hi, I would be so grateful for any advice!
I am 25 years old, with only GCSE's but currently looking to enrol for either A-levels or an Access to HE course to (hopefully!) progress onto a veterinary science course at university.
My questions are:
1) Are A-levels preferred over an access to HE course? I've been told before that getting into university for veterinary science with an access course would be unlikely, is this true?
2) What are peoples experience with distance based learning platforms? Are there any I should avoid?
I've spent so much time looking at entry requirements, A-level/access course fees/exam fees and it is honestly getting so overwhelming and I'm not sure who to go to for advice, so would appreciate any help!
Thanks!
I am 25 years old, with only GCSE's but currently looking to enrol for either A-levels or an Access to HE course to (hopefully!) progress onto a veterinary science course at university.
My questions are:
1) Are A-levels preferred over an access to HE course? I've been told before that getting into university for veterinary science with an access course would be unlikely, is this true?
2) What are peoples experience with distance based learning platforms? Are there any I should avoid?
I've spent so much time looking at entry requirements, A-level/access course fees/exam fees and it is honestly getting so overwhelming and I'm not sure who to go to for advice, so would appreciate any help!
Thanks!
Reply 1
Hi I don’t have any experience with vet science. But I have just finished an online access course in biology. Which is accepted by Cardiff university (where I applied and had an interview) best thing to do is ask the universities you want to study and see if they accept access courses. Also they may tell you how many credits they require on each subject.
Reply 2
Hi there,
First of all well done for getting motivated to go back to "school", it's a big decision !
I am 30, and am studying 3 A-Levels via distance learning (specifically the National Extension College), 3 As predicted, and I am currently holding 2 offers for Vet Med.
I cannot say if A-Levels are preferred over Access to HE courses, that would be one for the admissions teams at the universities you want to apply to. (I do believe that some people on the forum have had offers from HE courses)
I will however say that A-levels include AS levels, so are designed to be studied over 2 years, whereas I believe AtHE is 1 year (fact check me on this !)
With regards to my own experience, overall it has been positive, I feel well prepared for 2 of my 3 subjects, the last one being Chemistry which I do not hold a GCSE for, so it has been a VERY steep learning curve (also, the specific textbook accompanying my syllabus is not very beginner friendly).
The website is very intuitive, all steps of the course and the examinations are clearly explained.
I have intensive weeks coming up for the practical part of the exam, everything is booked via the online platform (including the actually A Level exams, they have many partner centres around the UK).
In terms of drawbacks, I will say that it is expensive (all-in, around 1k per A level), and you have minimal guidance from tutors. You have assignments to hand in, with feedback, and sometimes they send a message to check up on you, but it's not at all the same as seeing someone face to face. This is not a problem for me as I work best on my own time, and have used a lot of internet resources to answer any questions I could have. (I could message my tutors with specific questions, but it's been easier & faster to look it up myself frankly)
You can however book extra tutorage via video chat, but these are a payable service.
NEC also provided my UCAS application with a reference. Obviously, I do not know what was in it, and got a bit nervous about it because they do not know me, and I wondered what they could possibly say, but it has not stopped me receiving two offers, so can't have been that bad ! It is a big show of motivation to study by yourself, so maybe it played in my favour, who knows !
That's the last thing I will say : it requires a huge amount of time & dedication. Remember that these are normally studied full time. I have personally quit my job to work on my studies full time (luckily, my personal situation has allowed it), and sometimes 8 hour days of chemistry is not fun, but I also know what I'm doing it for.
Anyway, if you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to ask, I wish you all the best !
First of all well done for getting motivated to go back to "school", it's a big decision !
I am 30, and am studying 3 A-Levels via distance learning (specifically the National Extension College), 3 As predicted, and I am currently holding 2 offers for Vet Med.
I cannot say if A-Levels are preferred over Access to HE courses, that would be one for the admissions teams at the universities you want to apply to. (I do believe that some people on the forum have had offers from HE courses)
I will however say that A-levels include AS levels, so are designed to be studied over 2 years, whereas I believe AtHE is 1 year (fact check me on this !)
With regards to my own experience, overall it has been positive, I feel well prepared for 2 of my 3 subjects, the last one being Chemistry which I do not hold a GCSE for, so it has been a VERY steep learning curve (also, the specific textbook accompanying my syllabus is not very beginner friendly).
The website is very intuitive, all steps of the course and the examinations are clearly explained.
I have intensive weeks coming up for the practical part of the exam, everything is booked via the online platform (including the actually A Level exams, they have many partner centres around the UK).
In terms of drawbacks, I will say that it is expensive (all-in, around 1k per A level), and you have minimal guidance from tutors. You have assignments to hand in, with feedback, and sometimes they send a message to check up on you, but it's not at all the same as seeing someone face to face. This is not a problem for me as I work best on my own time, and have used a lot of internet resources to answer any questions I could have. (I could message my tutors with specific questions, but it's been easier & faster to look it up myself frankly)
You can however book extra tutorage via video chat, but these are a payable service.
NEC also provided my UCAS application with a reference. Obviously, I do not know what was in it, and got a bit nervous about it because they do not know me, and I wondered what they could possibly say, but it has not stopped me receiving two offers, so can't have been that bad ! It is a big show of motivation to study by yourself, so maybe it played in my favour, who knows !
That's the last thing I will say : it requires a huge amount of time & dedication. Remember that these are normally studied full time. I have personally quit my job to work on my studies full time (luckily, my personal situation has allowed it), and sometimes 8 hour days of chemistry is not fun, but I also know what I'm doing it for.
Anyway, if you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to ask, I wish you all the best !
Reply 3
Hello, hope you are well!
A Levels and Access Courses are both great options to progress into Vetinary! The best place to see if they will be accepted is by checking directly with the university. The course page is an excellent place to check this. Universities may also offer a Course Enquiries team who can offer you advice when applying!
When considering what type of study you would like to look at, it's also important to consider your learning style and what you respond to best. In person sessions for some make it easier to engage, while others prefer online for the ability to be flexible. It is worth confirming your course will be accepted at the University where you would like to be studied.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Stella - UCLan Student Ambassador
A Levels and Access Courses are both great options to progress into Vetinary! The best place to see if they will be accepted is by checking directly with the university. The course page is an excellent place to check this. Universities may also offer a Course Enquiries team who can offer you advice when applying!
When considering what type of study you would like to look at, it's also important to consider your learning style and what you respond to best. In person sessions for some make it easier to engage, while others prefer online for the ability to be flexible. It is worth confirming your course will be accepted at the University where you would like to be studied.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Stella - UCLan Student Ambassador
Reply 4
Original post
by SKD99Hi, I would be so grateful for any advice!
I am 25 years old, with only GCSE's but currently looking to enrol for either A-levels or an Access to HE course to (hopefully!) progress onto a veterinary science course at university.
My questions are:
1) Are A-levels preferred over an access to HE course? I've been told before that getting into university for veterinary science with an access course would be unlikely, is this true?
2) What are peoples experience with distance based learning platforms? Are there any I should avoid?
I've spent so much time looking at entry requirements, A-level/access course fees/exam fees and it is honestly getting so overwhelming and I'm not sure who to go to for advice, so would appreciate any help!
Thanks!
I am 25 years old, with only GCSE's but currently looking to enrol for either A-levels or an Access to HE course to (hopefully!) progress onto a veterinary science course at university.
My questions are:
1) Are A-levels preferred over an access to HE course? I've been told before that getting into university for veterinary science with an access course would be unlikely, is this true?
2) What are peoples experience with distance based learning platforms? Are there any I should avoid?
I've spent so much time looking at entry requirements, A-level/access course fees/exam fees and it is honestly getting so overwhelming and I'm not sure who to go to for advice, so would appreciate any help!
Thanks!
A-levels and Access to HE each have their pros and cons.
A-levels cover a much broader range of subjects compared to Access to HE. For example, my Access to HE course focuses mainly on cell biology, animal physiology, and some organic chemistry, but it does not cover human biology, evolution, plant biology, inorganic, or physical chemistry. While this is sufficient for VetMed, it may limit your options if you later decide to apply to a different subject. So, it's important to check the modules before enrolling.
The biggest advantage of the Access to HE course is flexibility—it can be completed online while working full-time and typically takes 9–12 months (though the course duration is officially 24 months). However, it is assignment-based, so there are no final exams.
In contrast, A-levels provide a more comprehensive foundation but require more time and effort. While they can also be studied remotely, practical components may need to be booked with specific colleges. Additionally, A-levels involve sitting formal exams, which can make them more challenging to complete alongside full-time work.
Ultimately, the best option depends on your goals, available time, and preferred learning style.
I am on the Access to HE with LearnDirect now and recieved all 4 offers from the vet schools.However, prior to getting on the Access to HE or applying to uni I would strongly recommend checking with each school that they will accept for Oct 2025.
This is the responses I have Aug 2024 for Oct 24 application:
• Liverpool does accept Access to HE but LearnDirect is not on their pre-approved list. My application was considered on the basis of previous qualifications (A-levels + a science degree)
• Nottingham does not accept Access to HE. My application was considered on the basis of previous qualifications.
• Bristol have a Guaranteed offer policy if you apply with Access to HE. People on the forum said it applies to Ved Med as well, but I do not know for sure. That said, I have recieved an offer from them.
• RVC will accept Access to HE
• Cambridge will not (one college said maybe, if you have 45 Distinctions and scored highly on their science test)
• Surrey will accept Access to HE (they were the ones who recommended me LearnDirect in the first place)
I didn't check Scottish universites, Uclan or H&K.
Good luck!
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