Foundation Certificate Agriculture (PT)

Course

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Description

  • Type

    Course

Learning activities on this course include lectures, seminars, workshops and practical sessions. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support taught sessions. Students will also have access to Myerscough's virtual learning environment.

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Course programme

Foundation Certificate Agriculture
  • Key Information
  • Course Content
  • Additional Information
  • How to Apply
Click to Apply: Foundation Certificate Agriculture

Key Facts

Award Type:

Foundation Certificate

Level:

Undergraduate

Study Modes available:

Part-time

Delivery Method:

Standard

Course length:

Between 18 months and 2 years part-time

UCAS Code:

N/A

Venue:

Myerscough College, Preston

Start Month:

September

Entry Requirements:

120 UCAS Tariff points from one of the following:

· 2 A-levels (at least one at C)

· BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma at PPP

· BTEC Level 3 Diploma at MP

· 2 Scottish Highers at minimum C or above

· 3 Irish Highers at minimum C or above

· NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline

· International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points

AS levels and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.

Consideration will be given to non-traditional qualifications and relevant work experience. Applicants are encouraged to produce evidence of their potential to benefit from the course. Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants who do not hold a Level 3 qualification but have extensive relevant experience may be offered opportunity to undertake a pre-entry assignment to demonstrate ability to study at the required level.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.

All offers may be subject to successful interview.

The agriculture industry requires an estimated additional 60,000 highly skilled and qualified people over the next ten years. The Foundation Certificate, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire, is designed to develop technical, practical and employability skills to enable students to meet the demands of the agricultural employers.

In addition the course is designed to equip students to progress onto the final year of the FdSc Agriculture course, to be completed either by full-time or part-time study. The Foundation Certificate consists of six modules, of which a maximum of four can be taken in an academic year, therefore the course will require a minimum of 18 months to complete.

COURSE CONTENT:

Animal Health

This module introduces students to the principles of animal health and draws links between health and animal welfare. The module also encompasses an introduction to pharmacology associated with maintenance of optimal animal health.

Animal Science

Anatomy, physiology and environmental assessment are introduced through this core module.

Essential Soil Science (half module)

The module provides the underpinning knowledge and understanding of soil science, sufficient for students to be able to recognise soil properties (in both soil samples and in the field) and their influence on plant growth and development.

Essential Plant Biology (half module)

This module aims to provide students with the essential knowledge of plant biology needed to allow successful management of their growth and development. Students will discover how plant form and function relates to their basic needs in terms of light, water, nutrients and reproduction.

Principles of Crop Production

Gives an introduction into the principles of growing a range of agricultural crops covering the establishment, nutrition, protection, harvesting and storage of crops. Constraints on crop production from pests, diseases and adverse environmental conditions are also introduced.

UK Agriculture

Students will investigate the systems used for agricultural livestock and crop production and the support mechanisms that are in place for UK farmers. The market trends for each sector will be analysed to determine its contribution to the UK economy.

Work Skills Development

This module provides students with first-hand experience where students will use their industry environment to develop practical and technical skills. Students will record and reflect on their own personal development during the module.

Course Documents:

Student Handbook (2015 Entry)

Programme Specification and Handbook (2016 Entry)

Myerscough College Policies and Procedures

Assessment:

Students will face a variety of assessments including examinations, essays, debates, assignments, technical reports, group and individual presentations, individual study projects and industry based case studies.

Links with Professional Body:

Students will be encouraged to form links with local and national agricultural organisations such Tenant Farmers Association, NFU, AHDB Dairy, AHDB Beef and Lamb, Breed Societies, RASE and Young Farmers Associations.

Extra Costs:


Additional costs that are essential for the course include:


Waterproofs, Safety Boots, Wellingtons and Overalls - approx £100


Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:


Field Trips and Visits (including possible overseas trips) - £1,100


Learning Environment:


Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. This course makes use of the extensive on-site research facilities and the College farms. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations will form an important part of the course. Students will also have access to Myerscough's virtual learning environment.


Additional Information:


Study trips may include visits to a variety of successful agricultural livestock and arable enterprises. Farm diversification and commercial energy generation projects may also be visited, including wind farms, large scale anaerobic digestion units and biomass plants.


Guest speakers may include industry experts in areas such as crop protection and marketing, agricultural waste management, animal nutritiion, livestock technology, Al and breeding. Extra curricula activivites may include a study tour and attendance at national events and conferences.


What do students think about this course?


Results from the National Student Survey 2012:


100% of students reported that the staff are good at explaining things and the course was intellectually stimulating


100% of students believed that this course improved their career prospects


95% of students reported that the course improved their self-confidence and helped then to tackle unfamiliar problems


Students also said in this survey “The course provides a great mix of theoretical and practical content. This combination provides some essential skills, which transfer very well into a professional environment.”


Work Experience:


There is no formal industry placement on this course. The Work Skills Development module will use real work environments to provide opportunities for students to develop skills that will help to prepare them for employment. Students already working in agriculture may not need to carry out any additional work experience, however they will still need to submit work-based assignments to complete the course.


What international opportunities are available?


Students are fully supported and encouraged to undertake work experience abroad in the summer between years one and two and / or on completion of their BSc. Graduates will have the opportunity to apply for travel scholarships as well as access to employers and agricultural employment agencies in Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Students are also encouraged to attend the European study tour which takes place in May each year.


Progression:


Successful students may be able to apply to progress onto the final year of the FdSc Agriculture run here at Myerscough College


What careers can you follow:


Graduates will be in a position to apply for posts available in the agricultural industry (and other related industries) including:


Farm Management


Livestock Specialist


Contractor


Farm Business Advisor


Feed Sales Management


Livestock Breeding Specialist


Animal Nutritionist


AI Technician


Veterinary Drugs Representative


What are our graduates doing now?


Farm Management, National Sales Manager for Dairy Robotic Engineering, NFU Policy Advisor, Research Officer, Farm Business Consultant, Animal Nutritionist, Lecturer, Semen Sales Manager, AI Technician, Agricultural Contractor, YFC National Co-ordinator (Ireland).



You can now APPLY ONLINE using the links on the right

How To Apply

To apply for this course please select the coloured tab, relating to the centre you wish to study at, on the right hand side of this screen. You can save your progress if you prefer to do it in stages but you must complete all sections of the form.

Myerscough College - general contact details Address: Myerscough College, St Michael's Road, Bilsborrow, Preston
Lancashire PR3 0RY
Telephone:01995 642222 Email: enquiries@myerscough.ac.uk Individual Learning Requirements Prospective students who have a learning difficulty or disability that may affect their studies should inform the College as soon as possible so that reasonable adjustments can be initiated, as appropriate. Where necessary students will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments. If students wish to apply for a Disabled Student Allowance they need to seek advice from Student Finance England (or equivalent) which funds this provision for Higher Education Students. Please note that DSA funding is not available on all courses.

Please note that the information provided in this fact sheet was accurate at the date of publication. However, courses are continually being modified and information is therefore subject to change.

Foundation Certificate Agriculture (PT)

Price on request