Agriculture (NC) SCQF Level 6

What is special about this course?

The course is a progression from the NQ Agriculture at SCQF5 or the SVQ in Agriculture at SCQF5. It is aimed at people who are moving towards a job on a farm for the first time; are wanting to learn about farming whilst not necessarily coming from a farming background; people working in farming with no formal qualification who want to improve their career prospects; are looking to try something new and get ideas for a career path leading to higher national qualifications.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have either 3 x National 5 qualifications (including numeracy), and NQ in Agriculture at SCQF5 or an SVQ in Agriculture at SCQF5.

There are 12 modules required for this award, and 16 units are offered in total. A selection of some of the modules for NC: Livestock husbandry, Combinable Crop Production, Tractor Operations with Attachments, Farm Maintenance Skills, Soils and Fertility, Grassland Production, Beef Production, Sheep Production.

Equipment

The student will be expected to provide a pair of waterproof boots, a pair of work boots with steel toe caps, waterproof clothing, work clothing, and gloves.

How will I study my course?

  • Full Time
  • Part Time

The course is mostly classroom based with farm visits and work placements provided.

How long will my course last?

36 Weeks

The course contains 16 modules taught across a full academic year.

Where can I study my course?

    • UHI Orkney, Kirkwall

Start date

August 2025

Fees

For finance/funding information – please refer to UHI Orkney Finance.

For course fees – please email ocrevenue@uhi.ac.uk

Funding

To discuss funding options, please e-mail ocrevenue@uhi.ac.uk or telephone Finance on 01856 569 202. To find out further information on OIC further education bursary funding please follow this link: http://www.orkney.gov.uk/our-services/education-and-learning/grants-emas-and-bursaries/bursaries/

Additional costs

For coure fees, please e-mail ocrevenue@uhi.ac.uk

What can I do on completion of my course?

This qualification is aimed at meeting the needs of two distinct potential groups of applicants. This qualification will cater for school leavers who have a strong and genuine interest in agriculture; and it is anticipated that such candidates will have achieved formal school qualifications and consider further education as a route toward full time employment, or progression to higher level or work based qualifications in agriculture. The qualification will also cater for those who are in employment who have completed an SVQ at SCQF5 and wish to develop a broader range of agricultural skills for the purpose of Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Is there more information available online?

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To apply for this course, please apply on this website: https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/courses/

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at Orkney College UHI. Orkney College UHI operates a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion and/or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.