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Agriculture degree students walk past crop fields on the farm

HNC Agriculture (Crop Production)

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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 2023

The course

This programme will provide you with in-depth understanding of agricultural crop production, as well as the essential economic, political and environmental issues that are shaping the future of the farming industry.

The course has been specifically designed to meet 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 that would help you should you choose to setup your own business.

As a vocational programme, there is a strong emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations using our excellent facilities.

Course Information

  • Develop your knowledge of key concepts used in the agricultural, livestock and crops sectors.
  • Give you an understanding of the business context in which agriculture operates and markets it produces.
  • Make you aware of current issues, both commercial and political, facing the agriculture industry.
  • Enable 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.
  • Help you to work effectively with others individually or as a team member.
  • Enable you to develop problem solving strategies to deal with a wide range of industry issues.
  • Ensure you can demonstrate the ability to manage a project and work independently.
  • Enable you to question standard practice, and apply professional judgment in making recommendations for attainment of future best practice.
  • Help you to reflect on your own personal strengths and weaknesses and formulate strategies for improvement.
  • Prepare you with the skills required for employment or further study.

Year 1

  • Business and the Business Environment
  • Plant and Crop Nutrition
  • 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.

GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above, or an equivalent qualification.

An appropriate academic reference.

UCAS points may be from qualifications such as 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 your first language is not English, or a Tier 4 student visa to study is required and GCSE grade 4/C English or equivalent is not held, English language proficiency level such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 overall.

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 on the farm and in laboratories 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 includes approximately 16 hours of contact time per week to encompass 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.

Relevant extra-curricular activity and/or work experience is encouraged to enhance your learning.
Assessment methods include case studies, presentations, real life management problems, problem-based scenarios and reflective assignments. Opportunities for feedback on assessments are available prior to the final submission to support your development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 15 working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.
  • 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.
On successful completion of the HNC in Agriculture (Crop Production), you could progress on to either the HND Agriculture or foundation degree in Agriculture.
On completion, you will be able to go into wide and varied job roles, which could include assistant farm managers, crop technicians, trainee agronomists and agricultural sales persons.

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.

Careers this course could lead into

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