Agriculture - Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma - Plumpton

These are a suite of level 3 qualifications which can be studied in a variety of combinations to allow flexibility and to help you to develop your practical and farm management skills.

The courses are at the same level, but the number of subjects studied can vary.

Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma: you complete 6 subjects to study over one year

Level 3 Diploma: This is a top-up of the Subsidiary diploma which allows you onto a second year place. You complete 12 subject areas to study

Level 3 Extended Diploma: you complete all 18 subject areas to study over a 3 year period

Designed for people with some experience of the industry. The course covers many aspects of modern agriculture and allows you to develop your skills in a supportive and practical environment on the College’s large and varied estate that includes modern examples of extensive and intensive farming practices.

The second year is crucial as it gives you the opportunity to gain employment experience whilst developing and learning new skills. Many students choose to work abroad during this year in Australia and New Zealand or other countries where the College has employment links.

The course equips you with the necessary skills for taking responsibility as your career develops.

Throughout the course, there is an opportunity to gain additional qualifications which are essential for work on modern arable and mixed farms. These include certificates in Rough Terrain Fork Lift Truck Use, PA1 & PA2 Sprayer Certificates and many more to add to your qualification base.

• BTEC National in Agriculture at the level studied (outlined above)
• Plumpton College Certificate
• Additional Work Related Qualifications
• GCSEs in English and Maths

Students will normally be at least 16 years old on entry and have at least one of the following:

• Studied GCSE level qualifications (achieving 4 passes at A-C for the full diploma) including English and maths
• A level 2 qualification
• Appropriate interest and relevant experience

Mature applicants who do not possess any of the above qualifications will be considered individually.

Successful completion of this course may allow progression onto a foundation degree or degree programme such as those offered at Plumpton or into employment in the industry in any number of exciting roles including:

Assisting a herdsman on a dairy herd or Pig Unit

Shepherd

Trainee Agronomist or Nutritionist

Assistant Farm Manager

Self Employed contractor

Shepherd

Tractor driver and machinery operator

Dairy herdsperson

Pig unit assistant manager

General farm worker

Progression to an HE course