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Agriculture degree students walk past crop fields on the farm

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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

UCAS Course Code

HCLP

The course

This programme provides an in-depth understanding, not only of agricultural livestock production, but of the essential economic, political and environmental issues which are shaping the future of the farming industry.

It includes business and the opportunity for you to gain skills in managing a project providing excellent transferable skills and enabling you to set up your own business.

The course has been designed to meet the needs of the agricultural industry and will enable you to progress to study higher education courses. This is a vocational programme with a strong emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations using our excellent facilities.

Course Information

  • Provide you with knowledge and understanding of the agricultural, livestock and crop sectors.
  • Make you aware of current issues, both commercial and political, facing the agriculture industry.
  • Ensure that you are able to apply agricultural theories to a range of technical, management and financial problems.
  • Enable you to communicate accurately and appropriately in a variety of formats.
  • Develop your ability 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 that 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.
  • Develop yout ability to reflect on your 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
  • Animal Nutrition
  • Managing a Successful Project (Year 1 and 2)

Year 2

  • Managing a Successful Project (Year 1 and 2)
  • Marketing Essentials
  • Management Accounting
  • Animal Health and Welfare
  • 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, T Levels, 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 student development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 15 working day timeframe (not including holidays) in order that students 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 (Livestock 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, livestock managers, agricultural sales person, feed advisors as well as AI technicians.

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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