Launch your exciting career in this essential sector with one of our specialised land-based courses. Whether you dream of managing a farm, working with cutting-edge machinery, or starting your own agricultural business, our courses are designed to provide the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience you need.
You’ll gain the expertise to thrive in an industry that’s essential to the world’s food supply. In the UK, agriculture employed nearly half a million people in 2023, and 65% of the workforce is involved in business ownership or management. With our support, you could be in charge of your own agricultural business, steering the future of farming.
At Kirkley Hall, our campus is much more than just a place to learn. As one of the UK’s top-performing land-based colleges, we offer access to our very own working farm in Ponteland.
Alongside this, our tractor and machinery workshops provide you with practical experience using the latest farm machinery and equipment, ensuring that you graduate ready to take on the challenges of the modern agricultural world.
To work in this sector, you will need to be able to use your own initiative, be confident in making decisions and communicate well. You will also need to have an interest in animal husbandry and growing crops. Good organisational and project management skills are essential, as is being able to work well in a team.
You will study this subject full time at Kirkley Hall campus and will have access to our working farm at Kirkley Hall in Ponteland and tractor and machinery work shops with farm machinery and equipment.
We work with the following employers to help you gain real work skills: Broomfield Farm, Oak Dean Farm, Crescent Farm.
Northumberland College, as part of college group EPNE, receives an Outstanding rating across the board in its latest Ofsted inspection.
November 26, 2024
Northumberland College students recently attended Society Matters Foundation ‘Generation 2035’ conference in Gateshead.
November 21, 2025
EPNE has announced the appointment of Toni Rhodes as its new Chief Executive, following a national governor-led recruitment process.
November 11, 2025