learndirect or stonebridge college for vet science access course?

hi everyone, i was wondering based on other peoples experiences which online provider would be better to use in order to complete an access to veterinary science course in terms of tutor support, understanding of assignments and grading. i’m feeling quite torn as they both have similar reviews on trustpilot and i’d like to get the best possible chance of receiving the grades i need in order to do the course i want to do at university. many thanks 🫶

Reply 1

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

19

Original post by fuzaoz

hi everyone, i was wondering based on other peoples experiences which online provider would be better to use in order to complete an access to veterinary science course in terms of tutor support, understanding of assignments and grading. i’m feeling quite torn as they both have similar reviews on trustpilot and i’d like to get the best possible chance of receiving the grades i need in order to do the course i want to do at university. many thanks 🫶

It might be worth asking in the following thread:

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7532981

:smile:

Reply 2

BelindaFlamazing

10

Original post by fuzaoz

hi everyone, i was wondering based on other peoples experiences which online provider would be better to use in order to complete an access to veterinary science course in terms of tutor support, understanding of assignments and grading. i’m feeling quite torn as they both have similar reviews on trustpilot and i’d like to get the best possible chance of receiving the grades i need in order to do the course i want to do at university. many thanks 🫶

I suspect that learndirect and Stonebridge are either the same college or have the same material/ approach to teaching. When you fill in the UCAS application you have to select the center for your Access to HE course and it's "learndirect/Stonebridge Associated Colleges".

I am studying with LearnDirect currently:

•

it's an online course, there is no peer support or face to face interaction with anyone - you are essentially on your own when studying (suits me fine, but it's not everyone's cup of tea)

•

tutors respond typically within a day via a messaging system and have been helpful. However, my questions were fairly simple e.g. "is this the correct way to reference an image", "will these two animals be accepted for the assignment" etc. I do not know what the support is like if you are struggling to understand the material.

•

assignment requirements are pretty clear. As long as you answer AC (assignment criteria) you should be able to get a distinction

•

grading discriptors are vague in my view, but I doubt that you will have more clarity at any college. Nobody can tell you what to include specifically to achieve a distinction.

Below is the grade discriptor from my course:

Grade Descriptor - Understanding of the subject
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance demonstrates a very good grasp of the relevant knowledge base.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance demonstrates an excellent grasp of the relevant knowledge base.

Grade Descriptor Application of knowledge
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance makes use of relevant facts and perspectives, has breadth or depth that goes beyond the minimum to Pass, and has very good levels of insight and analysis.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance makes use of relevant facts and perspectives, has both breadth and depth, and has excellent levels of insight and analysis.

Grade Descriptor Communication and presentation
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance shows very good command of format, structure, use of images, language (including technical or specialist language), spelling, punctuation and referencing.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance shows excellent command of format, structure, use of images, language (including technical or specialist language), spelling, punctuation and referencing.

Grade Descriptor Quality
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance taken as a whole, demonstrates a very good response to the demands of the brief/assignment.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance taken as a whole, demonstrates an excellent response to the demands of the brief/assignment.

Reply 3

fuzaoz

OP

4

Original post by BelindaFlamazing

I suspect that learndirect and Stonebridge are either the same college or have the same material/ approach to teaching. When you fill in the UCAS application you have to select the center for your Access to HE course and it's "learndirect/Stonebridge Associated Colleges".
I am studying with LearnDirect currently:

•

it's an online course, there is no peer support or face to face interaction with anyone - you are essentially on your own when studying (suits me fine, but it's not everyone's cup of tea)

•

tutors respond typically within a day via a messaging system and have been helpful. However, my questions were fairly simple e.g. "is this the correct way to reference an image", "will these two animals be accepted for the assignment" etc. I do not know what the support is like if you are struggling to understand the material.

•

assignment requirements are pretty clear. As long as you answer AC (assignment criteria) you should be able to get a distinction

•

grading discriptors are vague in my view, but I doubt that you will have more clarity at any college. Nobody can tell you what to include specifically to achieve a distinction.

Below is the grade discriptor from my course:
Grade Descriptor - Understanding of the subject
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance demonstrates a very good grasp of the relevant knowledge base.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance demonstrates an excellent grasp of the relevant knowledge base.
Grade Descriptor Application of knowledge
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance makes use of relevant facts and perspectives, has breadth or depth that goes beyond the minimum to Pass, and has very good levels of insight and analysis.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance makes use of relevant facts and perspectives, has both breadth and depth, and has excellent levels of insight and analysis.
Grade Descriptor Communication and presentation
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance shows very good command of format, structure, use of images, language (including technical or specialist language), spelling, punctuation and referencing.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance shows excellent command of format, structure, use of images, language (including technical or specialist language), spelling, punctuation and referencing.
Grade Descriptor Quality
Indicative Content for Merit The student, student’s work or performance taken as a whole, demonstrates a very good response to the demands of the brief/assignment.
Indicative Content for Distinction The student, student’s work or performance taken as a whole, demonstrates an excellent response to the demands of the brief/assignment.

thank you so much, this is really helpful. i’m looking to start soon, how are you finding the course personally with learndirect?

Reply 4

BelindaFlamazing

10

Original post by fuzaoz

thank you so much, this is really helpful. i’m looking to start soon, how are you finding the course personally with learndirect?

I have been out of education for more than 10 years, so for me it's a good way of getting back into writing academic papers (essays and reports).
Chemistry modules are easy, biology modules cover topics which are all new to me (e.g. animal welfare) - intersting, but requires a lot of research.

I saw a few people complaining about the course materials and assignments. However, you do need to approach Access to HE as if you were already at uni: there are lectures and practicals, but the vast majority of learning is supposed to be done through your own research. I think it's a good prepartion for what's to come (and vet med is a challenging degree).
Relying on lecture notes is not enough to get a distinction. I strongly recommend getting A-level books for biology and chemistry and then also getting some more advanced books such as campbell biology and Atkins' physical chemistry/ Shriver and Atkins inorganic chemistry. (search online or your local library)

learndirect or stonebridge college for vet science access course?

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