Course Aim

The HNC in Agriculture is an applied course delivered on a part-time basis to suit people working within agriculture and the ancillary industries. The course aims to develop the production, business and marketing skills required to successfully pursue or develop careers within the agricultural industry.

Course content

Students must complete ten units, four of which must be following core units.

• Agricultural business environment
• Agricultural systems
• Mechanisation
• Principals of land based business

A further six units are selected from the following list of optional units:

• Agricultural marketing
• Animal science
• Applied environmental studies
• Beef and sheep production systems
• Combinable crop production
• Dairy production systems
• Enterprise and financial management
• Enterprise management
• Grass and forage crop production
• Human resource management
• Industry experience
• Investigative project
• Mechanisation of crop production
• Mechanisation of livestock production
• Plant and soil science

Placement

f you choose to complete the optional industry experience unit, your previous work experience may be eligible for accreditation. If previous work experience does not meet with work experience placement requirements, then a full 48 weeks placement should be completed, similar to the requirements for HND.

Entry requirements

'A' Level

100 tariff points at ‘A’ level plus four appropriate GCSEs, or equivalent. ’A‘ level Chemistry or Biology are preferred but Mathematics, Physics, Accounting, Economics, Computing, Home Economics, Business Studies, Geology, or Geography are acceptable if a Grade D

or

A National Diploma in an appropriate subject with at least one Merit for example Pass Merit Pass.

or

At least three years industry experience.

Prior Experiential Learning

Industrial experience and prior qualifications of applicants who have worked for a minimum of three years are taken into account and for some modules it may be possible to apply for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Applications from prospective students with previous work experience are particularly welcome.

Careers

HNC study is aimed at developing the business management and technical knowledge of people already working in, or with, an interest in the agricultural industry.