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Subject
Agriculture
Level
HNC (Level 4)
Study Mode
Full-Time
Duration
1 year full-time/2 years part-time
Start Date
September 2025
The course
This programme provides an in-depth understanding, not only of agricultural production, but of the essential economic, political and environmental issues which are shaping the future of the farming industry.
It is specifically designed to be appropriate to the needs of the agricultural industry and to enable you to progress to study higher education courses.
The programme includes business elements and the opportunity for you to gain skills in managing a project - providing excellent transferable skills and enable students to set up their own business.
As a vocational programme, there is a strong emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations using our excellent facilities.
Course Information
- Give you knowledge of key concepts used in the agricultural, livestock and crops sectors.
- Provide you with an understanding of current issues, both commercial and political, facing the agriculture industry.
- Help you to apply agricultural theories to a range of technical, management and financial problems.
- Ensure that you can communicate accurately and appropriately in a variety of formats.
- Develop your ability to work effectively with others individually or as a team member.
- Ensure you are able to develop problem solving strategies to deal with a wide range of industry issues.
- Enable you to demonstrate the ability to manage a project and work independently.
- Help you to question standard practice, and apply professional judgment in making recommendations for attainment of future best practice .
- Develop your ability to reflect on your own personal strengths and weaknesses and formulate strategies for improvement.
- Enable you to demonstrate the skills required for employment or further study.
Year 1
- Business and the Business Environment
- Principles of Livestock Production
- Plant and Soil Science
- Managing a Successful Project (Year 1 and 2)
Year 2
- Managing a Successful Project (Year 1 and 2)
- Marketing Essentials
- Management Accounting
- Principles of Crop Production
- Land-Based Machinery and Technology
You will need:
A minimum of 48 UCAS points
OR
A relevant BTEC Level 3 and significant industrial experience
Plus
GCSE English 4 or above or equivalent
A suitable reference
UCAS points may be from qualifications such as T Levels, A Levels, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas, Access to Higher Education Diplomas, and City and Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas amongst others. Please use the UCAS Tariff points calculator to determine the UCAS points value of your qualifications.
Life and/or experience of non-traditional students will be taken into account when considering applications. The successful completion of an entry task may be required when considering applications without the required formal entry qualifications.
If an applicants first language is not English, or a Tier 4 student visa to study is required and GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent is not held, they will need to evidence their English language proficiency level, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 overall (with a minimum 5.5 in each skill).
Advanced entry may be possible due to prior experience or certificated learning; applicants will be invited to complete the recognition of prior learning approval process.
For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to facilitate the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge. To complement the theory lectures, you will have group seminars/practical sessions that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically.
The focus of the teaching approach is to give a model that can be applied in the workplace, putting theory into practice and vice versa.
The teaching methods focus on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the classroom.
The full-time route inclues approximately 16 hours a week to include lectures, seminars, work experience, practicals and tutorials. You are also expected to carry out a significant amount of private study in addition to contact time (25-30 hours a week).
A part-time route is also available.
You can expect to receive your timetable during induction week.
- A tablet, laptop or stationery to take notes in lectures and seminars.
- Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including high-visibility jacket/bib, overalls, steel toe capped boots, wellingtons, waterproof coat and trousers and a lab coat.
- The college has a strict policy of not allowing work boots inside college buildings you will need to have alternative footwear (shoes or trainers) to attend lectures and tutorials.
- A wide range of resources are available for use both on and offsite for projects but it may not be possible to purchase/service all requests therefore students need to be aware that they may need to self-fund some elements.
- Any educational visits/trips and enrichment activities will be additional to the course fees. You will be made aware of these optional visits and associated costs as required.
- On successful completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to graduate at a ceremony wearing formal dress. The hire of the formal dress is an additional cost.
Validated by Pearson
We are proud to collaborate with Pearson on the validation of this course.
View the policies and procedures you would be agreeing to comply with by registering for this programme.
Financial Information
Find the full details of the fees associated with this programme and the financial support available.