The Northern School of Game and Wildlife, Newton Rigg, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0AH. Tel: 01768 893613 or 01768 893556
NATIONAL DIPLOMA COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT (WOODLAND MANAGEMENT)
Two Years Full Time (including up to 3 months ‘Work Experience’)
The full title of this Diploma is a clue to its purpose. With this course, the Land Management Division at Newton Rigg aims to give you a thorough grounding in both the background theory as well as the practical skills involved in the modern management of woodland and associated wildlife habitats, particularly in relation to ‘sporting’ (game and deer) and recreational use. The course is run in close conjunction with other ‘specialist’ National Diploma options in Game Management and Deer Management.
The unique resources at the Penrith Campus make these programmes the premier full time wildlife management training courses in the North of the UK and the reputation of Newton Rigg students is nationally recognised by employers in this field.
Consisting of a testing two-year full-time programme that also includes a minimum of 10 weeks practical work experience, this Level 3 course is a balanced combination of broad-based academic study and hands-on practical skills training. Due to this broad approach the course offers students the opportunity to develop a career plan in a wide variety of possible wildlife management areas.
This new ‘ Woodland ’ option will prove to be an appropriate way of gaining the required experience and skills required to enter into full time employment – possibly in conjunction with a work based ‘Apprenticeship’ programme. Or, where appropriate, fully successful National Diploma students are also encouraged to utilise this diploma as an alternative to the A levels (or equivalent UCAS requirements) needed for entry on to Higher Education (Foundation or full Degree) level courses – here at Newton Rigg’s National School of Forestry for example.
COURSE CONTENT
The programme of ‘Units’ or subject areas first covers some key ‘foundation’ subjects and skills – particularly to do with habitat management - that will enable a student to achieve a modern, detailed and ‘scientific’ approach to the more specialist subjects covered in Year 2.
CMND Year 1
'Foundation' Units:
Estate Skills
Tree Establishment and Protection
Plant and Soil Science
Principles of Ecology
Sustainable Development
Investigative Project
plus
Work Experience
Pest and Predator Control
Use of Firearms
Year 2
Woodland Management Option:
Woodland Habitat Management
Forest Recreation
Sporting Woodlands
Tree Felling and Chainsaw Use
Deer Management
Shoot Management
Farm Habitat Management
Upland Habitat Management
Freshwater and Wetland Management
Additional Vocational Qualifications
Wherever possible we will also provide you with opportunities to get extra qualifications relating to this subject area – such as Basic Chainsaws, the Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1, Use of ATVs (Quad Bikes), etc.
Key Skills
In addition to your ND you will also take important nationally recognised qualifications in Application of Number, Communication, and Information Technology (Use of Computers), which will add even more value to your portfolio of qualifications when you finish studying or possibly apply to a Higher Education course.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
4 GCSE passes at Grade C or above or equivalents;
or A BTEC First Diploma qualification in a related vocational area;
or an Intermediate GNVQ in an appropriate vocational area.
For mature students an accredited access qualification and/or valid work experience may be accepted as an equivalent.
At interview you should be able to demonstrate a capacity to maintain effort on what is a very testing full time programme of study and also show an ability to be able to complete both practical and ‘academic’ elements of the course. You must also, of course, show interest, enthusiasm and motivation towards the woodland and wildlife management and countryside ‘industries’.
*PLEASE NOTE
As this course is a Year 2 option, the full 'Woodland' programme is run subject to sufficient numbers of students choosing this option.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The course programme is delivered via a mixture of lectures and demonstrations, along with group work and discussions, oral presentations and self-directed study. In addition the programme also places emphasis on the development of ‘hands on’ practical skills, through site visits, placements and practical projects. Due to the inclusion of a generous period of ‘Industry Experience’ in Year 1 – the first two terms are particularly challenging!
Each Unit is assessed in its own way; through written and practical assignment course work as well some written tests. The development of the ability to operate in the modern world of work is also assessed.
Most importantly we try to give you as broad an education in all aspects of modern ‘wise use’ of rural resources as possible. This course is definitely not just a ‘forestry’ training programme based only on vocational skills, but seeks to train students in the modern management of woodland for wildlife diversity as well as sporting and recreation purposes.
EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
The ‘countryside industries’ are becoming increasingly sophisticated and now look for basic training as a minimum requirement. Therefore the Diploma is vital in giving holders a route into such careers as deer manager, wildlife or recreation ranger or park warden.
A National Diploma is also a widely recognised academic qualification, allowing progression on to Higher Education courses both at this campus, and elsewhere.
Back to other Game and Wildlife courses
Contact us for an informal chat about this course at:
The Northern School of Game and Wildlife, Newton Rigg, Penrith , Cumbria CA11 0AH
Direct Telephone 01768 893614
or 01768 893556
Email: ashleigh.millerkirkpatrick@cumbria.ac.uk
Click here for an Application form
For all other general course enquiries at Newton Rigg and to request an application pack contact Sharon Blaylock in Student Recruitment on 01768 893627
