Level 3 - BTEC National Diploma in Agriculture

Course Content

• Units covered may include:
  
  Professional working responsibilities
  Plant and soil science
  Work experience
  Estate skills
  Land-based machinery operations
  Managing environmental activities in the agriculture industries
  Managing activities for agricultural enterprises
  Sheep production
  Crop production
  Dairy production
  English and maths
  
  Additional qualifications that may be available (subject to satisfactory attendance and completion of assignments) include City & Guilds (NPTC) Certificate of Competence in Tractor Driving and Related Operations, First Aid and Manual Handling, Telehandler, PA1/2, ATV, Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines and Animal Transport and Spraying. Much of the training towards these qualifications is included within the course and in most cases only assessment fees need to be paid by students wishing to achieve these additional qualifications.
  

Entry Requirements

• 4 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, which may/may not include both English and maths OR a relevant Level 2 qualification at Merit level with a good behaviour/attitude report OR an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Agriculture with good levels of English and maths.
  Mature students lacking formal qualifications will also be considered.
  
  Some farming experience before commencing the course is essential, as is the ability to cope with written work.
  
  A work placement of at least 150 hours will need to be completed across the qualification.
  

Next Steps

• Learners may consider progressing onto the Higher National Diploma in Agriculture at Kingston Maurward College; a BSc Applied Agricultural Science at a different university provider or employment
  
  

Career Opportunities

• Employment opportunities could see you working as a Herdsperson/Shepherd/Dairyman, Agricultural contractor, Assistant poultry unit manager, Trainee agronomist, Agricultural technician, Fixed plant manager, Sprayer operator, Machinery technician, Farm mechanic, Dairy worker, Farm trader, Grain store worker, Skilled tractor driver, Farm business secretary, Lecturer in agriculture, Skilled arable operator, Estate maintenance, Dairy manager or being involved in Agricultural sales.
  Employment prospects for qualified and experienced young people with the right attitude are excellent as the industry is experiencing a skills shortage and many learners gain employment through or at their work experience placements.