Foundation Certificate Sportsturf (Online)

Foundation Certificate Sportsturf

• Key Information
• Course Content
• Additional Information
• How to Apply

Click to Apply: Foundation Certificate Sportsturf

Key Facts

Award Type:

Foundation Certificate

Level:

Undergraduate

Study Modes available:

Part-time (Blended Learning)

Delivery Method:

Blended

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.

Course Description:

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 sportsturf industry and employers. The student will develop skills and knowledge in soils and plant sciences, cultural practices for sportsturf, sportsturf mechanisation and business management.

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:

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.

Plant Cell Biology (half module)

Increasingly research into the biochemistry and intracellular functioning of plants is giving us insights into new management practices or allowing us to produce new and useful plant varieties. This module aims to give students a basic knowledge of plant biochemistry and cell function to allow them to start to interpret these new developments.

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.

Applied Soil Technology (half module)

This module promotes the progression of the student from an understanding of the essential principles of soil science to their application in soil management in a wide range of environments.

Cultural Practices in Sportsturf

This module will provide students with the underpinning knowledge and allow for the acquisition of skills necessary to achieve the outcome of an effective playing surface.

Sportsturf Mechanisation

This module aims to explore relationships between labour and mechanisation in sportsturf management. It allows you to evaluate machinery and energy sources, and appraise optimum utilisation of power and equipment.

Business Management

This module introduces key areas of management activity such as human resource management, leadership, marketing and finance to allow students to develop further knowledge and skills to improve future employability in land based industries.

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 a combination of coursework and unseen examinations. The coursework assessment methods will include technical reports, portfolios, group and individual presentations, laboratory/practical reports and extended project work. The students may be required to produce work in a range of formats, such as the production of leaflets or research posters.

Links with Professional Body:

This course is fully endorsed by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) and recognised as the qualification of choice for those seeking careers within the sportsturf industry such as Grounds and Stadium Managers.

Myerscough College is a Golf Course Training Committee (GTC) approved centre and has a close working relationship with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).

Learning Environment:

Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops for modules completed on campus. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Students will also have access to Myerscough's virtual learning environment and some modules may be completed entirely on line using this.

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for items that are essential for this course include:

Access to broadband internet and a computer (for modules studied online)

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

Waterproofs and Safety Boots - £80

Progression:

Upon successful completion, students may be able to apply to progress to Foundation Degree in related subjects, for instance the FdSc Sportsturf at Myerscough College.

Other Opportunities:

Additional Information:

Myerscough College is a Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) approved centre and has a close working relationship with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).

What do students think about this course?

Students value the opportunities that the course gives them to develop skills and knowledge to enable them to secure employment within the industry.

They appreciate the enviable reputation that Myerscough College has which allows them to develop international contacts with high profile sporting venues.

The industry experience and expertise of the teaching staff is recognised as a real strength of the course.

Innovative teaching practices and award winning staff enable each student to reach their potential and realise their goals and ambitions within the industry.

What work experience can I get?

Students value the opportunities that the course gives them to develop skills and knowledge to enable them to secure employment within the industry. There is no formal industrial placement on this course.

What careers can you follow?

Examples of possible careers include:

Head Groundsman

Head Greenkeeper

Golf Course Manager

Local Authority Grounds Manager

Industry Sales & Marketing Professional

What are our graduates doing now?

Recent graduates have been employed at the following organisations:

All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon

The Belfry

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club

Queenwood Golf Course

Royal Ostend Golf Club, Belgium

Chelsea FC

Fleetwood Town FC

Worchester County Cricket Club

There are a large number of golf courses and sports pitches across the country that have employed Myerscough graduates.

What international opportunities are available?

Previous graduates have successfully secured employment at a range of golf courses and sports grounds in Europe, USA, Africa and Asia.

Students regularly elect to complete the OHIO State University programme to gain experience working on elite US golf courses.

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.