Hartpury College Countryside Management Foundation Diploma

Level 3 Diploma Countryside Management (Gamekeeping)

Diplomas

Learn to manage shoots, rear game birds and develop essential game management and estate maintenance skills on our 360-hectare campus. You’ll undertake more than 300 hours of work experience and an extended woodland management project aimed at benefiting the countryside and wildlife.

Key Information

Course Duration: One year
Part or Full Time: Full Time
Level of Study: Diplomas

Course Overview

You could follow in the footsteps of gamekeepers, stalkers and industry professionals, who have a hugely positive impact on the countryside, on this course.

This course will develop your knowledge and understanding of the game industry. The mix of theoretical and practical learning will prepare you for a successful career in your chosen field.

You’ll develop practical skills in game management and estate maintenance, working on our 360-hectare campus.

Achieve a merit or above in Level 3 National Extended Certificate Agriculture, grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics and receive a satisfactory reference from course tutor.

Alongside undertaking activities such as lowland game keeping, you’ll strengthen your understanding of:

  • Environmental science
  • Conservation
  • Business
  • Management
  • Wildlife and population ecology

You'll focus on deer and other game species, learning how to control pests and predators for the benefit of the countryside and game.

You’ll also undertake an extended woodland management project to develop your skills in woodland management for conservation purposes as well as to benefit game.

You could also gain additional experience, completing courses including ATV, Chainsaw Competence, and the Safe Shot Certificate. Our strong links with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the National Gamekeepers Association provide excellent industry connections for students, helping to ensure they’re career ready.

On completion, you should have a thorough understanding of your subject and be ready to progress onto the final year of the Extended Diploma in Countryside Management or into full employment.

Course Overview

Course information

You could follow in the footsteps of gamekeepers, stalkers and industry professionals, who have a hugely positive impact on the countryside, on this course.

This course will develop your knowledge and understanding of the game industry. The mix of theoretical and practical learning will prepare you for a successful career in your chosen field.

You’ll develop practical skills in game management and estate maintenance, working on our 360-hectare campus.

Entry requirements

Achieve a merit or above in Level 3 National Extended Certificate Agriculture, grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics and receive a satisfactory reference from course tutor.

What you'll study

Alongside undertaking activities such as lowland game keeping, you’ll strengthen your understanding of:

  • Environmental science
  • Conservation
  • Business
  • Management
  • Wildlife and population ecology

You'll focus on deer and other game species, learning how to control pests and predators for the benefit of the countryside and game.

You’ll also undertake an extended woodland management project to develop your skills in woodland management for conservation purposes as well as to benefit game.

Career and education opportunities

You could also gain additional experience, completing courses including ATV, Chainsaw Competence, and the Safe Shot Certificate. Our strong links with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the National Gamekeepers Association provide excellent industry connections for students, helping to ensure they’re career ready.

On completion, you should have a thorough understanding of your subject and be ready to progress onto the final year of the Extended Diploma in Countryside Management or into full employment.

Ofsted Outstanding OP Colour

Outstanding

Rated 'Ofsted Outstanding in all areas' for academic and curriculum-related provision 

HARTPURY RED ACORN

99.4% pass-rate

With a BTEC pass rate of 99.4%, our outcomes for students are exceptional.

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Cormac Thompson
“Aside from the outstanding facilities at Hartpury, the opportunity to gain practical shoot experience by acting as a beater on shoots was a big draw.”
Cormac Thompson
Level 3 National Diploma Countryside Management

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Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.

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We provide learning, wellbeing support and free short term counselling, as well as signposting and connecting students with other services where appropriate.

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A-levels or a diploma?

Are you unsure about whether A-levels or a BTEC Diploma are the right choice for you? Find out the key differences and which qualification would best suit your learning style and your career and further study ambitions on our dedicated page.

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Delivering the latest in agri-tech and precision farming technology simulation, Hartpury’s pioneering teaching facility will immerse students in agricultural tasks without leaving the classroom.

Supporting the Government’s path to net zero, this new student-employee-industry-facing space is ready to inspire the next generation of farmers.