Pursue your passion for the environment and conservation with a comprehensive programme designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills essential for a career in countryside management. This course offers a blend of theoretical understanding and hands-on experience, focusing on the diverse habitats, species, and sector-specific issues prevalent in the Northumberland region.
Engage in practical lessons that cover habitat management, species conservation, and sustainable land use, all tailored to the unique ecological landscape of Northumberland. By collaborating with local conservation organisations and participating in fieldwork, you'll gain invaluable insights and real-world experience, preparing you for roles such as countryside ranger, conservation officer, or environmental consultant. This qualification also serves as a solid foundation for further studies in environmental science or related disciplines, ensuring you're well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in preserving and enhancing our natural heritage.
You will need 5 GCSEs at grade 4-9 including Math’s and English and a science subject. Or a relevant level 2 qualification.
Study level | Cost | Additional fees |
---|---|---|
19+ | Please enquire | You will be required to purchase uniform and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when studying this course, this information will be provided at enrolment. You may be required to pay for trips and visits on the course. |
Delivery is mainly on campus with a mix of practical and classroom-based teaching supported by digital resources. Assessments methods include written exams, written assignments, a portfolio of evidence and practical skills-based assessments.
GCSE Maths and English are vital stepping stones for your academic and professional journey. Achieving a good grade in these subjects not only fulfils most college entry requirements but also equips you with essential skills critical in almost every field. Whether you're calculating percentages in business, crafting compelling arguments, or simply managing daily tasks, these core subjects enhance your problem-solving and communication abilities, setting a solid foundation for your future studies and career success. Start your college course with confidence by securing these key qualifications.
Placement opportunities are an integral part of our curriculum, designed to bridge the gap between academic studies and the professional world. These experiences enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real workplace challenges, enhancing their academic learning with practical skills. Tailored to complement your studies, placements are offered in a range of industries, from innovative local startups to leading global corporations.
By actively participating in these structured and supportive environments, students not only observe but also contribute meaningfully to the workings of their chosen field. This hands-on approach boosts confidence and provides a competitive advantage in the job market. The insights and experience gained are often transformative, arming students with the necessary tools for a successful and dynamic career. These opportunities are crafted to ensure you emerge as a well-rounded professional, ready to make significant contributions in your future endeavours.
At Northumberland College our commitment to your future goes beyond the classroom. We are dedicated to providing you with real-world experiences and industry insights that will prepare you not just to enter, but to excel in your chosen field. Here’s how we connect you with the industry:
• Placement Opportunities: Dive into your future career with our hands-on placement opportunities. These are not just work experiences, but gateways to potential employment and invaluable learning. They’re a core part of our courses, offering you a chance to apply academic theories in real-world scenarios.
• Networking Events: Build your professional network early. Our placement and careers fairs are your chance to meet and impress potential employers. These events are designed to help you forge significant industry connections that can enhance your career prospects. Attend talks, engage in discussions, and explore apprenticeship opportunities with employers who are eager to meet fresh talent.
• Expert Insights: Stay ahead of the curve with talks from specialist speakers. These industry leaders share the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field, giving you the inside track on what to expect and how to thrive.
• Skills Competitions: Showcase your abilities in our exciting skills competitions. Held throughout the academic year, these competitions are not just about winning – they are about learning, growing, and pushing your limits. They offer a fun, competitive environment to enhance what you learn in class and develop essential industry skills.
This qualification gives you the opportunity to study a range of specialist technical practical skills and knowledge that build upon the core skills required for conservation of our countryside and associated natural resources. Your study will cover key elements of woodland habitat management, develop your knowledge of sustainable land management, including theoretical knowledge and the associated practical skills aligned to conservation and habitat management.
Modules may be subject to change.
Year One (540 and 1080)
• Principles of Health and Safety
• Undertake and review work related experience in the land-based industries
• Land based industry machinery operations
• Population surveys, ecology and conservation
• Countryside recreation
• Undertake estate skills
• Principles of Physical and Biological Environmental Processes
• Woodland habitat management
• Farm Habitat Management
• Deer Management
Year Two (1080 only)
• Ecological concepts and application
• Environmental interpretation in the land-based sector
• Undertake a specialist project in the land-based sector
• Business management in the land-based sector
• Pest and predator control
• Managing volunteers
• Plant and soil science
• Coastal management
• Freshwater and wetland management
Upon completing this comprehensive two-year qualification, you’ll be well-prepared to enter the dynamic field of countryside management and conservation. Career opportunities include roles such as countryside ranger, conservation officer, volunteer manager, estate supervisor, or boundary contractor. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, self-employment as a contractor in sectors like arboriculture, forestry, or charitable land management and rewilding organisations is a viable path. Alternatively, you may choose to further your education by progressing onto our FdSc Wildlife Conservation degree, deepening your expertise and expanding your career prospects in this vital sector.
Find out everything you need to know about Northumberland College and our exciting range of courses!
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