Agriculture (Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma)

Plumpton College

Ditchling Road, Plumpton, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AE

National Award (BTEC)

Level 3

Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Plumpton College

3 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Course Summary

Designed for those interested in developing the specific technical and professional skills and knowledge that will lead to meaningful employment in the agricultural industry.

You will explore a wide range of industry areas, including livestock, agricultural crops, and farm mechanisation, in a practical environment on the college's large and varied estate, which includes modern examples of extensive and intensive farming practices.

During your first year, you will participate in routines on our commercial campus farm in four enterprises: dairy, calves, sheep and pigs. In your second year, you will undertake a placement to gain fantastic industry experience, paid or voluntary. In your final year, you will oversee Level 2 and Level 3 Year 1 students' routines.

Course Details

Year 1

The aim is to establish the fundamental principles of agriculture. This will be delivered through practical skills development on the college farm as well as through taught practical and theory based sessions. As the year unfolds, you will build confidence and competence in a range of agricultural skills, practices, activities, and duties.

Year 2

The second year allows learners to practice these skills through an extended work experience. Many choose to do so in subject areas where they see themselves in the long term, allowing learners to seek employment across the UK and further afield worldwide. This not only provides a fantastic industry experience but also offers the opportunity to meet new people and experience a different way of life.

Middle year placement

The final year allows learners to combine all elements of the previous two year's studies and start to develop the business and decision-making skills required to operate and run modern farming enterprises. Overall, the Level 3 agriculture programme provides a diverse range of opportunities and real employment openings in modern agriculture.

In your final year, you will choose pathway-specific units in either:

Selecting and managing land-based machinery
Professional working responsibilities
Plant and soil science
Work experience in the Land-based sectors
Estate skills
Crop production
Farm livestock husbandry
Land-based machinery operations
Managing environmental activities in agriculture
Managing activities for agri enterprises
Contemporary issues in land-based sectors
Agricultural business improvements
Livestock
Livestock health and diseases
Sheep production
Beef production
Livestock nutrition
Arable
Combinable crop production and processing
Grass and forage crop production
Land-based workshop practices

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Unit based internal assignments

External assessments to include theory exams and practical synoptic evidence

Entry requirements

You'll need to have achieved 4 or more GCSEs between grade 9-4 (previous grade structure A*-C) including English, Maths and Science.
Successful completion of a related Level 2 course at Merit or above and/or related experience in farming, would be advantageous.

Your next steps...

Achieving a high grade on a Level 3 programme will open students to higher education degrees such as Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Land Management, or similar degrees at other universities.

Additional information

https://www.plumpton.ac.uk/courses/agriculture-btec-level-3-extended-diploma-4/

For more courses like this, check our courses page.