Access to Higher Education: Land-based Studies

Access to Higher Education Diploma Level 3

Study mode Full time

Location Moulton

Level Level 3

Start date Sept 2025

Duration 1 year

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Access to Higher Education courses are ideal if you are an adult looking to study at degree level but don't have the necessary qualifications or UCAS points to gain a place at university.

The courses will cover key themes within the land-based sector but you will also learn how to conduct research, write essays and other key essential study skills that will enable you to excel once you move onto a degree level course.

On our land-based access course we run the Animal Science & Welfare pathway. However through your industry research project we can support you to explore a wider range of land-based areas including conservation, ecology, environmental sustainability and equine. Subject to student numbers and demand other land-based pathways could be considered.

The Access to Higher Education land-based pathway consists of 13 compulsory or mandatory units that all students will complete. Plus 2 subject specialist units. The course is structured in the following way.

15 credits from ungraded units (compulsory for all students)

Core HE Study Skills 1 - Research (3 credits)
Core HE Study Skills 2 - Presentation and Reflection (3 credits)
Introduction to the Land-based Sector (3 credits)
Land-based Skills (3 credits)
Critical Thinking and Communication (3 credits)

33 credits from mandatory graded units

Biology - Laboratory Techniques (3 credits)
Biology - Cells, Transport and Processes (6 credits)
Biology - Animal Pathogens and Disease (3 credits)
Introduction to Chemistry (3 credits)
Biology - Biochemistry (3 credits)
Biology - Bioscience (3 credits)
Business - Creating a Business Proposal (6 credits)
Land-based Industry Research Project (6 credits)

12 credits from subject specialism units. Based on demand we offer the following two subject specialist units from the Animal Science & Welfare subject block.

Animal Welfare and Ethics
Animal management and Behaviour

The tuition fees for this course are £5,197.

If you are aged 19 or over, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan from the Student Loans Company to help you pay the tuition fees for this course.

If you complete your Access to Higher Education course and then use this to progress onto and complete a degree, the Student Loans Company will write off the balance on your Advanced Learner Loan and you will not have to repay your tuition fees.

This is a full time course taking place on two days per week from 9.00am - 4:30pm. Most of the Access to Higher Education lectures are two hours with a one hour study workshop and one hour tutorial session.

This course is taught through college based theory and practical lessons but you will also be completing work on your own, preparing you for independent learning at degree level.

We use a full range of assessments including written work, practical assessment, presentations and internal exams.

This Diploma is a great way to achieve a nationally recognised qualification - accepted at most UK universities, and provides the perfect stepping stone to prepare you for your degree.

You can also go onto study one of our higher education courses at Moulton College in Applied Zoology or Animal Behavioural Science and Welfare.

There are no formal entry qualifications for this course however we do prefer you to have GCSE English or maths. Please contact us to discuss further if you do not have these qualifications.

What are the facilities will I be using?

You will be taught in our dedicated Higher Education Centre by expert staff and using excellent facilities like a purpose built Animal Welfare Centre, over 440 hectares of land with the opportunity to get involved in research, lambing, and more. You will also have practical sessions in our biosciences laboratory.

Who accepts this qualification?

This Diploma is a great way to achieve a nationally recognised qualification - accepted at most UK universities, and provides the perfect stepping stone to prepare you for your degree.