About the course
The College offers opportunity to study at level 3 (A level equivalent) for students who wish to develop a comprehensive understanding 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
Start date: September 2026
Course length: Two Years (35 weeks)
Course Modules
Advanced Extended Technical Diploma (1080) � Year 2: 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
Population Surveys, Ecology and Conservation
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
A minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 or higher. These must include English Language, Maths and either a single or combined 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