Agriculture Level 3

Overview

This is a well-established course that is designed to prepare you for a career in one of the UK’s most vital industries – agricultural food production. Learners acquire a broad knowledge of all the issues relating to agriculture and the skills and techniques within the industry. Students are advised to gain some preliminary work experience prior to the start of the course.

Description

During the course students will attend a range of lectures, followed by practical sessions, where you can put theory into practice.

At our York Campus students will have access to Westfield Farm, based at our Askham Bryan Campus and Home Farm based in nearby Askham Richard.

Course themes:

Crop production (arable, grassland, root and field vegetables)
Soil and plant science
Business
Mechanisation
Farm animal science
Farm animal health and welfare
Estate skills
Work experience placement
Study tours and range of industry show visits
Livestock husbandry units (beef, dairy, sheep and pigs)
English and maths provision where applicable

In 2nd year of study students can specialise in the following areas: *Subject to student numbers

- Livestock Pathway

- Arable Pathway

- Farm Mechanisation (York Only)

Work experience is mandatory and a vital element of the programme and you will be required to undertake one day per week, or equivalent, over the two years of the course.

In addition to the main programme, various short courses are offered. Courses may include tractor driving, forklift truck driving, ATV training, safe use of veterinary medicines, first aid and other certificates of competence but charges may apply. For those learners who do not achieve a C at GCSE level, or wish to improve in Maths and or English, there will be an expectation of students to undertake further study and to raise their grades.

During the course we attend, where possible, a range of shows and events, industry visits and farm visits.

Career Pathways

Agricultural manager
Crop agronomist
Breeding advisor
Commercial sales representative
Head herds manager
Animal nutritionist
Pest control
Estate maintenance
Gamekeeper
Ranger
Estate manager
Deer Manager

For the full digital course guide click here

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs at grade 4 (old GCSE grade C) or above, to include 2 from English, Maths or Science with at least a grade 3 (old GCSE grade D) in the remaining subject. Alternatively a suitable Level 2 vocational qualification (Merit or above) with English, Maths and Science at Level 2.

Further Study

Progression routes from the programme can include Foundation Degree study leading to Degree programmes in Agriculture.