About the course
The College offers opportunity to study at level 3 (A level equivalent) for students who wish to develop a comprehensive understanding of Land and Wildlife Management encompassing practical techniques, academic knowledge and technical skills. It is a popular option for both school leavers and successful Level 2 Diploma students. The course incorporates a mix of practicals, classroom lectures, industry visits and case study exercises. The course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to higher education or employment as habitat managers, estate workers and local authority conservation officer wardens and ecologists.
Key Information
Location: Preston Campus
Course length: One Year (35 weeks)
Start date: September 2025
Interested in taking this course? Click here to apply for this course online
Course Modules
Population Surveys, Ecology and Conservation
Aquatics Eco System
Coastal Management
Countryside Recreation
Deer Management
Ecological Concepts and Application
Environmental Interpretation in the Land Based Sector
Farm Habitat Management
Fishery Management
Fresh Water and Wetland Management
Heathland Habitat Management
Land-based Industry Machinery Operations
Pest and Predator Control
Principles of Health and Safety
Principles of Physical and Biological Environmental Processes
Undertake a Specialist Project in the Land-based Sector
Undertake and Review Work Related Experience in the Land-based Industries
Undertake Estate skills
Woodland Habitat Management
Entry requirements & additional information
Minimum entry requirements are: Advanced Technical Diploma (540) – Year 1 An English Language GCSE at C (4) or higher plus a minimum of four others at C (4) or higher, including Maths and Science Advanced Extended Technical Diploma (1080) – Year 2 An English Language GCSE at C (4) or higher plus a minimum of four others at C (4) or higher, including Maths and Science Additional Entry Requirements: Applicants are expected to show a strong commitment to the industry and ideally, have some practical work experience prior to starting the course.
Assessment of technical qualifications is a mixture of practical assessment of skills and written assignments marked internally by the teaching team, together with externally marked examinations that combine the knowledge of all mandatory units. The assessments and exams are spread throughout the course of the year. Outstanding Learning Environment: 1,000 acre college estate featuring farmland, woodland, wetlands and 1.5 miles of the River Brock Dedicated four hectare countryside management area Purpose built Countryside ‘Rural Skills’ teaching centre with state of the art facilities Several well stocked fishing lakes Defra registered fish farm Comprehensive field study equipment Excellent links with external agencies
Upon successful completion, you may have an opportunity to progress to a Foundation or Honours Degree programme. Progression onto degree programmes at other universities is dependent upon their own individual entry criteria. This might include specific requirements relating to the type of course being studied, the particular ‘modules’ or ‘units’ studied on a course, the work-experience that you’ve undertaken or even previous GCSE attainment. Entry requirements can also change from year-to-year. It is essential that, if you have a clear career goal in mind, you check and confirm the entry requirements of your preferred degree programme prior to commencing your Level 3 studies here at Myerscough. Information, Advice and Guidance will be provided by the College to support you in making the right choices, but please ensure that you have taken time to consider your future career goals and the specific entry requirements at other universities. The UCAS website is a good starting point: https://www.ucas.com/
Costs that are mandatory for the course: Steel toe-capped boots or wellington boots – approx. £25 Protective overalls – approx. £25 Waterproof coat and leggings – approx. £50
Endless opportunities and Fantastic Resources
Students often get the chance to undertake work experience during their studies.
In the past, students have gone to New Zealand or Australia to do sheep and dairy work, with others heading west to Canada and the United States. Such experiences not only help students develop their knowledge and skills but they also prove valuable in terms of improving future employment prospects.
The Myerscough College estate features a dedicated four hectare conservation area and countryside management zone as well as a purpose built Rural Skills Centre which houses our countryside courses. With game bird hatching facilities, an armoury, machinery and estate management workshops, and an off-road driving course - we've everything you need!
Alumni – Oliver McEntyre
To anyone looking to study Agriculture or Countryside at Myerscough College, I’d say go, embrace it & leave with the knowledge that the qualification will stay with you for the rest of your career and open doors that might not have been opened without the time and experience Myerscough offers.