Higher Certificate in Conservation and Environment

Higher Certificate in Conservation and Environment

Duration
1 year full time, or could be accessed on a part time basis

Typical Offer
Individual negotiation with the Admissions Officer. Mature applicants welcome

You will need...
The vocational nature of this course enables us to take into account academic background and experience since leaving full-time education. We also consider recent academic or practical work experience, which helps us to reach a decision on your application. The college recognises that the needs of mature students differ to those who have recently completed A-levels.

Course Aims Native species and local habitats are coming under increasing pressure as a result of human activity. Therefore the importance of conservation and the environment is increasingly being recognised. The Higher Certificate in Conservation and Environment is designed to introduce key concepts of biodiversity and will provide students with an awareness of past and present land use practices and of the impact modern agriculture has upon the environment.

The main emphasis for the course is habitat identification and the management practices undertaken to enhance biodiversity.

Who is the Course for This course is particularly suitable for mature students or anyone who is interested in the natural environment or the conservation of our countryside. This will include those who help organisations such as The Wildlife Trusts as a conservation volunteer or professional conservationist wishing to improve their knowledge and skills

If you are thinking of entering Higher Education this certificate will provide you with the necessary skills required for further study.

Special Features The strong vocational nature of this course will allow you to undertake practical conservation work around Writtle College estate. You will develop a range of practical and academic skills enabling you to manage the conservation of the natural environment in a sustainable fashion.

Although the recommended route for undertaking the course requires students to successfully complete year 1 of the degree scheme, in certain circumstances, mature part-time students may wish to select a range of modules from year 1, 2 or 3, and use the credit from these for their certificate.

Study Tours and Field Visits Extensive farmed landscape within the College grounds, together with a variety of protected areas in the surrounding countryside, form important training facilities in the delivery of this course.

To further underpin the student experience a week long Study Tour takes place during the first year. Study tours will enable the development of practical conservation skills, interpersonal and team working skills, communication skills and self management. Importantly both the Study Tour and Field Visits underpin academic work undertaken in the classroom and provide an opportunity to gain real experience in the field.

Career Prospects This course will enable you to enter into a career where you will effectively be able to manage the conservation of the natural environment in a sustainable fashion. Through a specialised career development module you will be able to identify prospective career routes. These may include employment with an organisation such as Wildlife Trusts, English Nature, Local Authorities or The National Trust, in jobs ranging from a countryside ranger, community wildlife officer, environmental education officer and countryside access officer.

What Next? After successfullly completing the Certificate in Conservation and Environment you will have the opportunity to progress onto the BSc (Hons) Conservation and Environment, BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management or BSc (Hons) Wildlife Management.