Course Overview
This Level 2 course will give you a good introduction to agriculture and prepare you for Level 3 study. You’ll learn how to operate farm machinery, gain an understanding of crop and livestock husbandry, and develop your estate skills. With our farm on campus, there will be plenty of opportunities to get hands-on in practical sessions. You’ll spend one day per week gaining work experience to familiarise yourself with the industry. On successful completion, you could progress onto our Level 3 Agriculture Extended Certificate.
What you will study
- Discovering the agricultural industry
- The operation of agricultural machinery
- Crop and livestock husbandry
- Agricultural practical skills
Industry experience
During your course you will complete work experience, one day per week during the year, providing you with the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the industry. You will arrange your own work placement within an agricultural-related industrial organisation with the guidance of the agricultural academic staff.
This course provides a solid introduction to agriculture and will give you the knowledge and skills to progress to further study or entry-level employment. You’ll learn how to operate farm machinery, gain an understanding of crop and livestock husbandry, and develop your estate skills. You’ll also explore the wider agricultural industry and build confidence through practical skills training.
A key part of the course is your weekly industry experience, where you’ll work one day per week in a real agricultural setting to apply your learning and develop practical, hands-on skills.
Learning will take place through a mixture of classroom-based theory sessions, practical training on our commercial farm, and one day per week on an industry placement. In the classroom, you’ll develop your understanding of core agricultural principles through taught lessons, group activities, and independent projects.
Practical sessions will give you the chance to work directly with crops, livestock, and machinery on our 380-hectare campus farm. Your industry placement will further build your experience and confidence, helping you develop the skills needed for progression.
You’ll be assessed through a combination of written and practical assignments designed to test your knowledge and applied skills. Your industry placement will also form part of your learning, giving you opportunities to demonstrate your progress in a real-world context.
On successful completion of this Level 2 Diploma, you could progress onto another course at Hartpury College, which opens up further study and career options. Courses include:
- Apprenticeship: Level 2 General Farm Worker
- Level 2 Technical Certificate in Land Based Engineering
- Level 3 Extended Certificate in Agriculture or Countryside management
- T Level in Crop Production, Land-Based Engineering or Livestock Production
Course Overview
Course information
This Level 2 course will give you a good introduction to agriculture and prepare you for Level 3 study. You’ll learn how to operate farm machinery, gain an understanding of crop and livestock husbandry, and develop your estate skills. With our farm on campus, there will be plenty of opportunities to get hands-on in practical sessions. You’ll spend one day per week gaining work experience to familiarise yourself with the industry. On successful completion, you could progress onto our Level 3 Agriculture Extended Certificate.
What you will study
- Discovering the agricultural industry
- The operation of agricultural machinery
- Crop and livestock husbandry
- Agricultural practical skills
Industry experience
During your course you will complete work experience, one day per week during the year, providing you with the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the industry. You will arrange your own work placement within an agricultural-related industrial organisation with the guidance of the agricultural academic staff.
What you’ll learn
This course provides a solid introduction to agriculture and will give you the knowledge and skills to progress to further study or entry-level employment. You’ll learn how to operate farm machinery, gain an understanding of crop and livestock husbandry, and develop your estate skills. You’ll also explore the wider agricultural industry and build confidence through practical skills training.
A key part of the course is your weekly industry experience, where you’ll work one day per week in a real agricultural setting to apply your learning and develop practical, hands-on skills.
How you’ll learn
Learning will take place through a mixture of classroom-based theory sessions, practical training on our commercial farm, and one day per week on an industry placement. In the classroom, you’ll develop your understanding of core agricultural principles through taught lessons, group activities, and independent projects.
Practical sessions will give you the chance to work directly with crops, livestock, and machinery on our 380-hectare campus farm. Your industry placement will further build your experience and confidence, helping you develop the skills needed for progression.
How you’ll be assessed
You’ll be assessed through a combination of written and practical assignments designed to test your knowledge and applied skills. Your industry placement will also form part of your learning, giving you opportunities to demonstrate your progress in a real-world context.
What can you do after this course?
On successful completion of this Level 2 Diploma, you could progress onto another course at Hartpury College, which opens up further study and career options. Courses include:
- Apprenticeship: Level 2 General Farm Worker
- Level 2 Technical Certificate in Land Based Engineering
- Level 3 Extended Certificate in Agriculture or Countryside management
- T Level in Crop Production, Land-Based Engineering or Livestock Production
3 GCSEs at grade 3 or above to include English Language or Maths.
You should expect some small costs for books and stationery. There will also be opportunities to take part in trips related to the topics you are studying. These trips incur a charge/are covered by the educational visits fee.
Students are required to pay a non-refundable educational visits fee at enrolment.
What’s the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?
Level 2 is designed as an introduction to agriculture and will give you the skills and confidence to progress to Level 3 study or entry-level roles in the industry. Level 3 goes into more depth and can lead on to university study, higher apprenticeships, or skilled employment.
Will I get practical experience?
Yes – all our agriculture diplomas combine classroom learning with hands-on training on our commercial farm. You’ll also complete regular work placements to build experience in the industry.
Do I need to find my own work placement?
Yes – you’ll be expected to arrange your own placement with an agricultural employer, but our academic staff will provide guidance and support to help you secure a suitable role.
What can I do after completing a diploma?
Depending on your level, you could progress to further study (for example, Level 2 to Level 3, or Level 3 to university-level courses), start a higher apprenticeship, or move straight into employment in the agriculture sector.
Why study Agriculture at Hartpury College?
Whether you’re studying Agriculture, Livestock Production, Engineering, or Countryside Management, our 500-hectare farm estate will be your classroom. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in every aspect of farming and estate operation; whether it’s milking in the dairy unit, maintaining farm machinery or active participation in routine farm and countryside management duties.
Why study Agriculture at Hartpury College?
Whether you’re studying Agriculture, Livestock Production, Engineering, or Countryside Management, our 500-hectare farm estate will be your classroom. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in every aspect of farming and estate operation; whether it’s milking in the dairy unit, maintaining farm machinery or active participation in routine farm and countryside management duties.
Outstanding
Rated 'Ofsted Outstanding in all areas' for academic and curriculum-related provision
99.8% pass-rate
With a 99.2% BTEC pass rate (Hartpury College 2025), our outcomes for students are exceptional.
Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.
The Hartpury Certificate is an enrichment programme designed to support our students to grow.
A-levels or a diploma?
Are you unsure about whether A-levels or a BTEC Diploma are the right choice for you? Find out the key differences and which qualification would best suit your learning style and your career and further study ambitions on our dedicated page.
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