Course Overview
If you’re considering studying for a university degree but don’t quite have the qualifications you need yet, our Access to Higher Education diploma offers the ideal progression route.
Our Land-Based Studies Access diploma will provide you with the necessary study skills and field-specific grounding to go on to succeed within your chosen agriculture, animal or equine pathway. Core units include science, business, research projects and higher education study skills, as well as land-based skills and specialist Agriculture / Animal / Equine units.
Our Access to Higher Education course in Land Based Studies is designed to provide you with a comprehensive, flexible learning experience. You will complete 60 credits, all at Level 3, across a series of engaging and challenging units that prepare you for university-level study.
Join us to kickstart your journey toward a degree in land-based studies you'll be studying:
- Higher Education Study Skills
- Land Based Industry research Project
- Biology - Laboratory Techniques
- Biology - Cells, Transport and processes
- Introduction to chemistry
- Biology - Biochemistry
- Biology - Bioscience
- Biology - Animal Pathogens and disease
- Introduction to the land based sector
- Business - creating a business proposal
- Land Based Skills
- Animal Science and Welfare
- Animal Management and Behaviour
- Horse Science and Welfare
- Horse management and Behaviour
- Crop production and technology
- Livestock production and technology
Our students at all levels of study benefit from a specialist and hands-on learning environment with world-class facilities and expertise.
The course runs from September to June each year. You'll need to commit to 15 hours a week of contact time over a full academic year and invest a similar number of hours for your personal study.
Teaching takes place three days per week, with the teaching day usually starting at 10.30am and finishing at 4.30pm. Some on-site study outside of these times may be required to fit in with the farm routine, e.g. milking or lambing.
Units may include written assessments, observed practicals, presentations, short reports and exams. You'll gain credits on the successful completion of each unit which will count towards your diploma.
Our students have gone on to study degrees in animal science, behaviour and welfare, equine science, veterinary nursing and agriculture at Hartpury University and other institutions. This could lead to a career as:
- Animal / Equine Nutritionist
- Cattery / Kennel Technician
- Veterinary Nurse / Equine Veterinary Nurse
- Farm Manager
- Competition or Stud Groom
- Yard Manager
- Horse Trainer
Course Overview
Course information
If you’re considering studying for a university degree but don’t quite have the qualifications you need yet, our Access to Higher Education diploma offers the ideal progression route.
Our Land-Based Studies Access diploma will provide you with the necessary study skills and field-specific grounding to go on to succeed within your chosen agriculture, animal or equine pathway. Core units include science, business, research projects and higher education study skills, as well as land-based skills and specialist Agriculture / Animal / Equine units.
What you’ll learn
Our Access to Higher Education course in Land Based Studies is designed to provide you with a comprehensive, flexible learning experience. You will complete 60 credits, all at Level 3, across a series of engaging and challenging units that prepare you for university-level study.
Join us to kickstart your journey toward a degree in land-based studies you'll be studying:
- Higher Education Study Skills
- Land Based Industry research Project
- Biology - Laboratory Techniques
- Biology - Cells, Transport and processes
- Introduction to chemistry
- Biology - Biochemistry
- Biology - Bioscience
- Biology - Animal Pathogens and disease
- Introduction to the land based sector
- Business - creating a business proposal
- Land Based Skills
- Animal Science and Welfare
- Animal Management and Behaviour
- Horse Science and Welfare
- Horse management and Behaviour
- Crop production and technology
- Livestock production and technology
How you’ll learn
Our students at all levels of study benefit from a specialist and hands-on learning environment with world-class facilities and expertise.
The course runs from September to June each year. You'll need to commit to 15 hours a week of contact time over a full academic year and invest a similar number of hours for your personal study.
Teaching takes place three days per week, with the teaching day usually starting at 10.30am and finishing at 4.30pm. Some on-site study outside of these times may be required to fit in with the farm routine, e.g. milking or lambing.
How you’ll be assessed
Units may include written assessments, observed practicals, presentations, short reports and exams. You'll gain credits on the successful completion of each unit which will count towards your diploma.
What can you do after this course?
Our students have gone on to study degrees in animal science, behaviour and welfare, equine science, veterinary nursing and agriculture at Hartpury University and other institutions. This could lead to a career as:
- Animal / Equine Nutritionist
- Cattery / Kennel Technician
- Veterinary Nurse / Equine Veterinary Nurse
- Farm Manager
- Competition or Stud Groom
- Yard Manager
- Horse Trainer
No formal entry requirements.
Qualifications are offered flexibly to suit your existing commitments and, depending on your situation, you could get your tuition fees paid in full. You could get your tuition fees paid if you’re aged 19-23 and haven’t already studied A-level, diploma or equivalent qualifications. If you’re over 19 and you've already studied a college course you may be eligible to take out an Advanced Learner Loan. These loans may not require repayment if you then continue onto, and complete, a degree.
Students aged 19 and over may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learning Loan to cover the cost of their Access to HE course. For more details on how the loan works, including repayment conditions, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learning-loans/overview
The loan is repayable only once you complete your degree and earn above a certain income threshold. If you successfully complete a degree course after your Access to HE Diploma, the loan may be fully forgiven.
For further guidance or to discuss course fees in more detail, please contact Student Finance at student.finance@hartpury.ac.uk.
Do I need to have a GCSE grade C/5 and above in Maths and English?
No you do not. There are no formal entry requirements however this may be a requirement for a university degree in the future so this is good to keep in mind.
Can I get access to learning support?
Yes, learning support is available based on assessment of needs.
Am I too old for the course?
As long as you are 19 years or older you are eligible.
Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.
The Hartpury Certificate is an enrichment programme designed to support our students to grow.
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