- Duration
1 year
- Attendance
- 3 days per week in college, 1 day per week in industry
- Location
- Plumpton College
Course Overview
Whether you’re working in the farm industry at the moment or thinking about starting your career, you’ll need to be aware of all of the changes and developments in equipment that you’ll use on a daily basis.
If you have a passion for large machinery and are interested in science, engineering and technology, then agricultural engineering could be for you! You may already be interested in the farming industry, and this programme will prepare you to work with agricultural machinery, but the skills and knowledge you will develop are also relevant for forestry, horticulture, sports turf and plant machinery and equipment.
Agricultural machinery uses advanced technologies such as GPS and you’ll need to be aware of all of the changes and developments in the industry. At Plumpton, you’ll have the opportunity to experience working on a wide range of equipment, giving you all the practical skills and technical knowledge you’ll need to develop skills to confidently and competently maintain, operate and repair modern machinery to industry standards. You'll also take part in fleet maintenance and restoration projects and undertake an industry work placement, all of which will enable you to develop hands-on industry experience.
Work Experience
Study programmes include a minimum of compulsory work experience hours achieved through one day a week or block placements. The amount of hours required is dependent on the study programme.
Careers Hub
We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.
Modules
- Health and Safety for Land-based industries
- Land-based Engineering Workshop Practices
- Repair Land-Based Forage Harvesting Machinery
- Repair Land-Based Spark-Ignition (Petrol) Engines
- Undertake Land-Based Workshop Processes
- Repair Land-Based Power Shift Transmissions
- Repair Land-Based Electric Systems
- Repair Land-Based Synchromesh Transmissions & Clutches
- Test Land-Based Electronic Systems
- Repair Land-Based Cultivation/ Drilling Machinery
Entry Requirements
Either:
- You'll need to have achieved 2 or more GCSEs between grade 9-3 (previous grade structure A*-D)
- Successful completion of a related Level 1 course, having studied English and Maths at GCSE level
Mature students without the above requirements will be considered.
Bursaries
Financial support could be available to you depending on your household income, eligibility criteria, and level of study. A bursary, which is money given directly by the Government, could help fund bus travel, accommodation, course equipment, college meals, or educational trips.
Course Fees
Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.
Students aged 19-23 studying their Level 1, 2 or first Level 3 may be entitled to tuition fee waiver depending on criteria eligibility.
Students aged 24+ who are studying a second Level 3 course or aged 24+ who are studying their first Level 3 course will have to pay tuition fees, depending on the course.
Students on low income who can prove they earn less than £25,000 (from September 2024); are unemployed; or receive state benefits could be entitled to a tuition fee waiver.
All students pay a standard facility fee of £150 to use communal, non-educational facilities.
Material fees apply to Floristry, Blacksmithing and Metalwork, Agricultural Engineering, and Motor Vehicle students, which contribute to quality resources and equipment for their studies.
Equipment & PPE
Students on a 14-16, Level 1, 2, 3, or Foundation Learning course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course. Material fees are applicable depending depending on the course studied.
Work Experience
Work experience enhances your studies and is an important part of your course. It ensures you leave college ready for the world of work. It is compulsory to undertake an element of work experience when studying a Level 1, 2, or 3 course.
