Agriculture Level 2 Diploma

Level(s) of Study: College course
Start Date(s): September 2025
Duration: 1 year
Study Mode(s): Full-time
Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
Entry Requirements: More information

Introduction:

Our Level 2 Technical Diploma in Agriculture is a one-year course and a great opportunity to start your career in Agriculture, while allowing you to retake your Maths and English GCSEs as required. You will develop knowledge and practical skills with livestock, crops and machinery through a mix of classroom and practical sessions, as well as engaging with the farming community through visits and work experience.

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Brackenhurst is set in stunning countryside just a bus ride away from Nottingham city centre, next to the town of Southwell.
At Brackenhurst, you’ll have access to incredible facilities. These include an Animal Unit, Equestrian Centre, laboratories, library and gardens and fields that are overflowing with plants and wildlife.
Studying with us means that you’ll be a part of an amazing learning environment. You get all the perks of being part of a big university, but you will still enjoy the comforts of a friendly college.

Why choose Brackenhurst

Brackenhurst is the rural campus of Nottingham Trent University and, as the centre of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, we are passionate about the countryside and farming. Our mission is to make you industry-ready and career-focused individuals, so that you are ready to take the industry forward.

Brackenhurst is only a bus journey away from Nottingham city centre. However, it feels a world away from the city when you see the stunning Nottinghamshire countryside within which Brackenhurst is located. Our college courses run alongside degree courses – all taught by tutors who are skilled, experienced and supportive.

At Brackenhurst we have a commercially managed pedigree beef herd, sheep flock and arable farm that makes up our 200-hectare estate. You’ll have access to an excellent range of facilities including a beef roundhouse, new grain store and lambing building, machinery workshops, laboratories, lecture rooms, computer suites and library. We also have an extensive range of farm machinery including tractors fitted with GPS equipment that you’ll learn with.

Brackenhurst prides itself on providing you with a friendly and supportive learning environment. Our college courses are taught by tutors who have spent time working in industry, therefore transferring their skills and experience, with a focus on making you industry ready.

We have limited on-site accommodation available for students studying on this course. Please contact us for more details.

Links with the agricultural industry

Brackenhurst has strong links with many local farming businesses, which helps your studies by either allowing us to visit their farm or being a guest speaker at Brackenhurst. Many also provide opportunities for students to complete work experience. Nottingham has a rich variety of farming businesses including field scale vegetable, dairy, beef, poultry, pig and arable farms as well as the allied industries like animal feed manufacturing.

Getting here

Brackenhurst is easy to get to. We’re just 14 miles from Nottingham city centre, next to the town of Southwell. Find out more about getting here.

What you’ll study

This course will provide you with ample opportunity to work outdoors, and build the primary skills needed to work with farm animals and on estate maintenance tasks. You will learn the basics about crop husbandry, as well as an introduction to machinery maintenance and tractor driving. These varied sessions are delivered by our own teaching team and technical staff who have extensive subject knowledge and experience.

Working in land-based industries

You will consider the required skills and qualifications for a wide range of career pathways within agriculture. You will learn about professional behaviour and good work conduct and the importance of health and safety within the land-based industries.

Introduction to plant and soil science

You will explore internal structures of plants from cells to transport systems and external plant structures including stems, roots, leaves and flowers, looking at their functions and characteristics. You will also investigate soil types, texture, structure, pH, nutrients and care.

Machinery operations

You will explore the machinery used for activities across arable and livestock production. You will develop the skills to carry out correct set up and routine maintenance, and to be able to operate machinery safely so that machinery tasks are completed effectively.

Estate maintenance

You will develop the practical skills to safely repair and install field boundaries, maintaining farm surfaces and making repairs to farm buildings. You will learn how to provide services such as a water supply to farm livestock.

Crop production

You will consider some of the different crops grown in the UK as well as the products that come from them. You will develop your understanding of crop establishment techniques and nutrient supply, and learn how to monitor their growth before looking at how they are stored.

Livestock husbandry

You will develop the practical skills needed to work with farm livestock safely and confidently and how to ensure high standards of animal welfare are maintained. You will gain knowledge and understanding of how good farm livestock husbandry relates to profitable farming.

Agriculture work placement

You will consider different career opportunities in the agricultural sector, learn how to apply for jobs and practice your interview skills. As part of the course, you will need to gain and complete a period of work placement experience in an agricultural sector that appeals to you.

How you’re taught

You will spend time learning in our industry leading facilities through a mixture of lectures, group discussions, practical demonstrations and hands-on experience with livestock, crops and machinery.

An important element of the course are visits to leading vegetable growers, organic dairy farmers and industry shows. This allows you to broaden your horizons.

The course includes a work placement allowing you to develop your skills and knowledge in agriculture by working on a farm, enhancing your chances of employment after you complete your studies. You can work with local farmers, agronomists, nutritionists or in connected industries such as the National Farmers Union.

How you’ll be assessed

Your assessments will be by completing written assignments and demonstrating the skills you have learnt in practical assessments.

Careers and employability

The Level 2 course only lasts for one year and therefore you'll need to have a plan for your next academic year. You will need to demonstrate clear attendance and commitment to your Level 2 programme as well as a Merit grade to progress to Level 3 in Agriculture at Brackenhurst.

Future jobs within the agricultural industry that are attainable with a Level 2 qualification include:

Stockperson – you can earn up to £24,000
Farm Worker – you can earn up to £25,000
Tractor Driver – you can earn up to £28,000
Apprenticeship – you can earn up to £19,500

Additional certificates

As well as completing your course, you will have the opportunity to undertake additional industry-focused certificates including:

Telehandler
Spreaders and Sprayers
Safe use of veterinary medicines

You'll also learn to drive agricultural machinery such as quads and tractors.

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

Campus and facilities

Study an agriculture course at Brackenhurst and you’ll have access to some fantastic facilities.

Our campus is home to a working farm that grows a mixture of crops including wheat, barley and oilseed rape. We have a herd of award-winning pedigree cattle, as well as a flock of sheep. We also have a range of farm machinery that you’ll get to learn with, including two tractors fitted with modern self-steering equipment. Your course includes hands-on, practical lessons at the farm.

As well as your subject-specific facilities, you’ll also find:

a modern campus with modern classrooms and teaching areas
a library and fully equipped computer suites
a number of highly equipped specialised laboratories
on site careers and employability service
a range of dining facilities and Costa Coffee
our student shop
a number of common rooms and social spaces

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Entry requirements

For 2025 entry you'll need:

Four GCSEs at grade 3 / D or above, including two from English, maths and science, with at least a grade 2 / E in the remaining subject.
If you do not yet have a grade 4 / C in English language and / or maths you will need to complete GCSE retakes as part of your study programme.

A Level 1 Technical qualification or other equivalent qualifications will be considered.

You will also be required to attend an interview.

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

We welcome applications from international students. Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 to discuss how your qualifications match our course requirements.

Fees and funding

If you are aged 16-18 and applying for a Level 2 or 3 course

There are no course fees if you’re aged under 19 on 31 August of the year you start your course.

If you are aged 19+ and applying for a Level 2, Level 3 or Access to Higher Education course

If you’re studying your first full Level 3 or Access to Higher Education qualification you may be eligible for free tuition. You will still need to pay the registration fee applicable for your course.

If you are applying for the Level 2 qualification or have already completed a full Level 3 qualification, tuition and registration fees will apply.

To cover the cost of tuition when applying for a Level 3 and Access to Higher Education qualification, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from the UK Government. It is easy to apply, your household income is not taken into account and there is no credit check. You will not have to pay anything back until your income is over £25,000.

Please visit fees and funding information for more information.

Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 for more information on fees and funding.

How to apply

Applying is really easy. Follow our step-by-step guide below.

Fill in an application form

Fill in an online application form. Remember to show your passion for your chosen subject in your personal statement.
Provide contact details for two referees - usually one teacher from your current School or College and one character reference which could refer to any volunteering, work experience or hobbies you may have (i.e. Sea Scouts, sports clubs etc.). Alternatively, this can be a long standing family friend or neighbour.

Come for an interview

If you meet the criteria for the course, we’ll invite you in for an interview. We’ll send you details of what will happen on the day in advance through the post. Don’t panic! Our tutors are really friendly and will help you to do your best.

Get your offer

We’ll write to you and let you know how you got on at the interview. Hopefully we’ll be able to offer you a place on the course. This offer might be conditional on your upcoming exam results – for example GCSEs.

Accept your offer

You need to tell us that you want to accept your offer of a place by returning your confirmation slip to us or calling us on 0115 848 5299.

Get your exam results

If you’re taking GCSEs or other exams, you’ll get your results over the summer. Once you’ve got your results you need to let us know what they are. Then we can confirm your place.

Start at Brackenhurst

We’ll send out all the information you need to start with us in the post at the end of August. We hold an enrolment day in the first week of September. This allows you to get your student ID and start meeting your new friends and tutors.

Any questions?

Just drop us a line – we’re here to help every step of the way. You can email us or give us a call on 0115 848 5299.

Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 for more information on how to apply.