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Sustainable Land Management (QA only), FdSc (Plumpton College)
Through a combination of practical, classroom based and independent learning, this course creates a suite of learning that will be of benefit to anyone working in the conservation, land-management.
This degree course will give you the tools to analyse and assess the ecosystem health of a wide range of UK habitats and the skills to deliver practical, realistic and achievable management plans within a financially viable framework that recognises the needs and requirements of all interested parties.
During the course you will learn the practical skills of estate management and also of maintaining and enhancing a wide range of UK habitats, including the use of livestock to achieve this. You will learn a suite of survey techniques that will enable you to assess and monitor habitat quality to a range of UK standards. You will investigate the legislation and practises around current UK conservation and potential schemes such as the new Environmental Land Management scheme. Business management skills including an understanding of funding schemes are a vital skill for new land managers along with people management and digital mapping software– something industry informs us is also an essential requirement.
Your studies will involve you carrying out two focussed studies enabling you to develop key areas of interest, 300 hours of work experience and will comprise practical, classroom and independent study. Course content is industry and students led, comprising the skills and knowledge the land management industry needs looking forward
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UCAS points
56 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
P900
Location
Duration
2 years full-time
Start month
September
Home/international fees 2024/25
TBC /TBC
What you should know about this course
What you will study
Validated / Quality Assured (QA) Programmes: these are programmes approved (‘validated’) and quality assured by the University of Greenwich for delivery by one of our Partner Colleges. They lead to a University of Greenwich award.
Plumpton College
The course is offered by one of the university's partner colleges.
Plumpton College offers land & environment courses in agriculture, horticulture, animal behaviour, equine science, veterinary and wine.
About the course team
We are an experienced team of academic and industry professionals who maintain professional knowledge and skills through industry engagement and by completing Continual Professional Development.
Entry requirements
Typical Offer: 56 Points
Qualifications: two A-Levels/Extended Diploma/Access to HE
We consider a wide range of Level 3 qualifications with UCAS Tariff points, specifically:
A-Level: two subjects (CD) and must include one in a STEM-related subject.
BTEC National: Extended Diploma (MPP) in relevant subject, for example Countryside Management.
International Baccalaureate: 24 Points overall.
Access to HE: 56 Points
We also consider applicants with relevant industrial experience if over 21 years of age.
We expect a minimum of five GCSE’s, including Mathematics and English Language at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the A*-G system).
Students with English as a second language will be required to have gained IELTS at 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
We welcome applications from mature students.
For more information, contact the HE Office (HEoffice@plumpton.ac.uk).
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
Learning will take place in a wide range of locations; from classroom to coast, field to farm. The course is designed to appeal to a wide range of land-based learners and some modules will be shared with peers from Agriculture, Horticulture or Animal Management courses. Whilst these class sizes are larger, this also offers the student the opportunity to broaden the base of their knowledge, seeing how other industries interpret and utilise the same knowledge.
Independent learning
Students are also encouraged to undertake their own personal study. Whilst this enables the student to pursue their own areas of interest, this time also sets the foundation for a future of lifetime learning - an essential in the rapidly evolving land-based industries.
Overall workload
You should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job.Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
Students are assessed through a combination of assessment methods depending on the modules chosen.
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assignments taken at the college and to release examination results within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, contact the HE office (HEoffice@plumpton.ac.uk)
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
| Full time | Part time | Distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | TBC | N/A | N/A |
| International | TBC | N/A | N/A |
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Field trips
The cost of field trips is activity dependant. Some are free, while others may require a contribution. You are not obliged to pay for field trips in order to complete your course.
Resources
Course texts and other study resources are available from Library. You may wish to purchase your own copies. You receive a small allowance for printing costs, which you can top up if required.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
Students go to a range of companies and organisations of varying sizes for their placements, including large multi-national firms, government agencies, the National Trust and small to medium sized companies engaged in service provision, analytical services and land-based management activities.
Previous students have worked in: National Trust Nymans and Sheffield Park, Ashdown Forest Conservators, Wildlife Trusts, South Downs National Parks, Brighton and Hove City Councils.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates pursue careers in land management and roles where sound environmental understanding is key to successful outcomes. This may range from Ecology through to Policy Management and Implementation, Water and habitat quality monitoring to estate management, Researcher to Ranger-type roles, Biodiversity Net Gain monitors and implementers to environmental educators. This is a rapidly growing market and the range of roles available develops rapidly, many of which and respond to industry need and developments. An exciting time to become employed in any role which necessitates care of land in a manner that benefits the environment and societies that depend on it.
Do you provide employability services?
We have a dedicated team to search for and inform students about relevant opportunities and help students prepare for interviews.
Further guidance on careers and placements will be available from the programme team at Plumpton College. We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
The College’s Inclusive Learning and Development Department offers dedicated support for HE students, this can take the form of one-to-one support, exam access arrangements. Students who have a learning disability are able to access support with making an application to the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) from the College’s Inclusive Learning and Development Department.
Support from the department
The Library boasts a collection of over 8,000 books, covering a range of key subject areas within land-based curriculum. The Library also provides students with access to a variety of magazines, periodicals and academic journals through online databases.
Learning technology is central to the learning experience of students at Plumpton College and therefore is supported by dedicated staff within the College Teaching and Learning Team. The responsibilities of this team are to help support students with learning technology to enhance the overall learning experience.
Mode of study
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