AIM Qualifications Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Animal Science)

Interested in pursuing a career in animal science, but not sure how to get there?

With our Access to HE Diploma in Animal Science, we'll help you achieve your goals!

This course has been entirely developed to help you gain the skills, knowledge and ultimately UCAS points to progress onto higher education programmes in animal science; if you missed your chance to go to university, it's never too late thanks to Access to Higher Education!

The Access to HE Diploma (Animal Science) is aimed at students wanting to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to access undergraduate degrees within the animal science industries.

Exclusively available for adults, the course is taught part-time, two evenings per week at our Houghall campus just outside of Durham City centre.

Many students will be returning to education after a break and may have few formal qualifications. Applicants should have the desire to update and enhance their skills and knowledge and the potential and enthusiasm appropriate to this level of study.

Topics covered include different areas of animal biology, such as the functions of the animal body, its diseases and their treatment, animal behaviour and management, geography and environmental science. Other units will help provide the skills necessary to progress in higher education by understanding principles such as academic writing, core research principles, referencing, maths and study skills.

This course could lead into a wide range of careers within the animal science industry including, zookeeper, animal care technician, veterinary nurse, kennel work or laboratory work.

This qualification aims to prepare students for progression into higher education subjects including, but not limited to; animal biology, animal management, veterinary nursing, zoology and other science related degrees.

Students are strongly advised to contact universities prior to commencing this Access to HE Diploma to check the university’s specific entry criteria. The award of a Diploma does not provide guaranteed entry to UK higher education programmes.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

English GCSE grade C (4) or Functional Skills in English level 2 equivalent. We do recommend that you have the same qualification in mathematics as this can limit your choice of university place. No additional Level 2 qualifications are required but they would be beneficial.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

The assessment strategy for this Diploma is designed to ensure that a student’s confidence and skills are sufficiently developed in order that they are prepared for the rigorous assessment regimes that they will encounter when they progress onto programmes of study in higher education.

A wide range of assessment methods will be used across the Diploma including:

• Research projects
• Reports
• Written assignments/essays
• Individual presentation to a group/audience
• Observation of student practical work
• Maintenance of a structured portfolio

September 2025

This is a classroom based course which runs for 36 weeks from September to July.