How to become a vet after zoology degree

I'm about to start my final year of Zoology, I was planning to go on a placement year, working abroad at a zoo to help look after animals after medical care, but unfortunately, my university denied my application. Before starting uni, I completed an Animal Management Extended Level 3 course at college, and wanted to apply for veterinary medicine at the royal veterinary college for surgeons. However, when I was preparing to apply, I had realised that i couldn't as when i started college I'm about to start my final year of Zoology, and I’ve been thinking a lot about my future in animal care.
Originally, I was planning to go on a placement year, working abroad at a zoo to help look after animals after medical care, but unfortunately, my university denied my application. Before starting my degree, I completed an Animal Management Extended Level 3 course at college, and I always wanted to apply for veterinary medicine (I have no other interest other than being a Vet). However, when I was preparing to apply, COVID hit, and the two major college exams I needed to complete to meet the entry requirements were cancelled and everyone got an automatic pass, which ultimately hurt my chances as I needed two distinctions and a merit to apply. ( I got 2 merits and a distinction overall in college.)
Now, I’m wondering what my options are. Should I consider vet nursing as a first step? I plan to get an animal-related job to save up money, and then possibly go into vet nursing, before eventually saving enough to pursue vet med, which I know will take about four more years after a degree. I've spoken to so many of my teacher on this but they don't seem to know what to recommend - i have had different people tell me that i can use my zoology degree to get into the vet field

I'm a mature student myself, having been out of university for several years and now doing a complete career change into veterinary medicine — so just wanted to share a few things that might help.
1. Entry requirements: Yes, it is definitely possible to get onto a vet course after a zoology degree. My first degree is in science, and I got in based on a combination of A-levels, completed degrees, and an Access to HE course. I’d recommend checking directly with admissions, but generally speaking, if you achieve at least a 2:1 in your degree, you should meet the academic requirements for most vet schools.
2. Financing your degree: This is the big one. You'll only be eligible for a maintenance loan, and unless you qualify for a bursary or grant, you’ll need to fund the tuition fees yourself — around £47.5k for the full course (based on 2025 figures). That means either saving up the full amount or at least a significant portion of it in advance.
Vet nurses currently start on around £22k per year, rising to about £30k with experience. Depending on your situation — for example, whether you could live with parents to save on rent — it might be possible to save over time. Alternatively, you could consider a non-animal-related job that offers higher earnings and save that way. Being a vet nurse will not give you an advantage when applying - I have never worked with animals, apart from the min work experience. (but it is good for the soul)
3. Army vet route: There’s also a third option: training as a vet through the Army. This route comes with financial support, but it does mean committing to a contract with the Army, and there is an age limit, so it won’t be suitable for everyone. Worth researching if you're open to that kind of pathway.