PDA Animal Science and Communication

This PDA twelve-week distance learning course offers students considering an application to the BSc/BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing degree an opportunity to improve the quality of their application and gain valuable personal and academic skills.

Location: Non Campus Specific
Study mode: Distance Learning (1 year)
Start date: September 2026
Duration: 1 years
Agency code: ASC1

Apply now

Course overview

This PDA twelve-week distance learning course starting offers those considering an application to the BSc/BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing degree an opportunity to improve the quality of their application and gain valuable personal and academic skills.

The course is particularly aimed at those who have completed a Veterinary Care Assistant qualification, Scottish Highers or a HNC/HND course and who, without this additional course, would fall short of the entry requirements to apply for the Veterinary Nursing degree.

Watch the Animal Science and Communication introduction video on YouTube.

This course costs £300 and students are likely to need to be self-funded.

Please note: This course requires you to attend assessment at our Aberdeen campus for 1-2 days (depending on current Covid-19 guidelines).

Additional Information

: You can apply for this course using the apply now button located at the top and bottom of this page. Detailed information on how to apply can be found on our applications instructions page.
: Veterinary Care Assistant with Distinction plus one Higher at C.

OR, 3 Highers CCC including National 5 in Maths and English.

Alternative entry qualifications such as a Higher National Certificate, are also accepted.

Applicants with a mature attitude who are seeking a change in career will be assessed individually.
: Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.
: SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.
: Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland
: Although not mandatory, our annual study trips are designed to complement SRUC’s practical, hands-on approach to learning, allowing you to engage directly with agricultural, environmental, and rural industries in diverse global contexts.

Learn more about where we're going this year.
: SRUC offers a choice of campus locations and accommodation options. Learn more about each campus, including its facilities and accommodation options, by visiting our campus pages.
: Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: interrnationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form

What You'll Learn

You’ll study the Veterinary Terminology course and learn about applying that terminology to veterinary practice situations.

You’ll also study Communication Skills for Customer Service and relate this to a veterinary practice environment. A short research programme will investigate customer value in a vet practice.

Finally, an animal biology module will cover classification, tissue, body systems and relate this to practical laboratory tasks and research building an understanding of biological principles at a higher level.

Example Modules

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for this course:

Detailed information about course fees can be found on our higher education fees page.

Eligible full-time students studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

Funding available:

Scottish students: you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan through SAAS. Learn more
RUK students: you may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid as part of a bursary through your local government department. Learn more
International students: you may be eligible for international student scholarships through SRUC. Learn more

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