Land Management (top-up)

One year full-time or two years part-time.

This one-year programme enables students to 'top-up'. to a full degree, supplying them with a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of land management issues, affording specialisation in either wildlife conservation or applied agriculture. By integrating specialist knowledge of the mechanisms and actions of a range of farming and conservation practices, students will be able to critically appraise their effectiveness in managing rural environments.

Students will be able to select a number of options with which to specialise their interests.

Shared modules include Geographical Information Systems, agri-environmental grant aid for rural development and a research project. The conservation option targets ecological survey skills within consultancies, habitat and species management and biological conservation. The agriculture option examines integrated farm management, meat production and advanced agricultural sciences. In the third year, students complete an individual research project on a topic of their choice. Previous topics have included:

• Deer management in woodlands
• Invasive plant species and bumblebee conservation
• Effectiveness of spray drift equipment in crop management

• Unique 'hands-on' approach to study
• This course has been developed following consultation with local and national representatives from industry
• Excellent resources and high quality facilities-estate and teaching environments

• Ecological survey and consultancy
• Integrated technologies and gis
• Habitat and species evaluation
• Biological conservation
• Rural development policy and practices
• Strategic farm management
• Agricultural technologies
• Research project

Students are assessed using a wide range of assessment methods including reports, essays, oral presentations and formal examinations.

Students may wish to progress to an appropriate postgraduate qualification or seek employment within the sector. Recent graduates have successfully furthered their careers in working with conservation organisations and wildlife organisations, as agricultural consultants, with advisory organisations such as the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and in the wildlife conservation and heritage sector (National Trust etc).