FIRST DIPLOMA COUNTRYSIDE AND ENVIRONMENT 
One Year Full Time
No aspect of countryside management can be carried out in isolation but must take account of changes in agriculture, habitat conservation as well as public access and recreation. For these reasons, the First Diploma course acts as a ‘foundation course’ which aims to give you experience and knowledge of a range of related disciplines.
The emphasis is on the development of practical skills supported by strong underpinning knowledge. So as well as completing ‘Core’ Countryside Management subjects or ‘Units’, each First Diploma student is given experience of a range of other countryside and environment skills and knowledge -in particular, either modern woodland management or gamekeeping and wildlife management.
Click here for details of the Gamekeeping First Diploma course option.
A First Diploma can prove to be a particularly appropriate way of gaining the required experience (and possibly maturity) required to enter a work based Apprenticeship programme.
Where possible, fully successful First Diploma students will be encouraged to utilise this diploma as an alternative to the required 4 GCSEs at C or above (or equivalent) needed for direct entry on to National level courses.
Therefore an important part of the on going assessment of this course is to give you an opportunity to prove your ability to impress either a future employer or National level Course Leader.
COURSE CONTENT
The course consists principally of six Units or subject areas, all of which must be successfully attempted to gain the First Diploma.
These are currently:
Woodland Ecology OR Game Management
Practical Land-Based skills
Practical Forestry Skills
Deer Management
Countryside Industry and Organisations
Work Related Experience
Key Skills
In addition to your FD course you will also take important nationally recognised Key Skill qualifications in Application of Number, Communication, and Information and Communication Technology (Use of Computers), which will add even more value to your portfolio of qualifications when you finish studying.
Additional Vocational Qualifications
Wherever possible we will also provide you with opportunities to get extra qualifications relating to your chosen subject area – such as ‘Use of Chainsaws’ or 'Use of ATVs' (Quad Bikes)
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of 4 GCSE passes at Grade D to G or equivalents;
and/or a Vocational Diploma qualification/GNVQ in a related vocational area.
At interview you should be able to demonstrate a capacity to maintain effort on such a 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 countryside ‘industries’.
The course is most suited to those just leaving school and/or those with little experience wishing to progress, and we are particularly keen to help those looking for a practical foundation for a career in either gamekeeping or woodland management or similar professions.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
A variety of teaching and learning methods are used - practicals, lectures, site visits, demonstrations, discussions, problem solving etc.
Assessment is by practical tests, written assignments and phase tests.
POST COURSE/QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES
As stated earlier, the First Diploma course is designed to allow the student to progress in several ways:
A student passing the six required units with good grades, as well as showing the correct aptitude and academic ability, will be encouraged to progress on to an appropriate National Diploma (or other Level 3) course.
Alternatively, a successful student will have the necessary basic skills and knowledge to greatly improve opportunities of finding employment in his or her chosen area of countryside management – such as gamekeeping or forestry/estate work.
This may be found independently or, if the successful FD student can also meet the requirements of one of the potential employers who contact Newton Rigg looking for full time employed Apprentices – then he or she will be well prepared to begin a career in Countryside, Woodland/Forestry or Game and Wildlife Management.
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 893613
Email: malcolm.riding@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
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