Game Management

Is your passion in game and wildlife? If you’re looking to become either a Head Keeper or a Wider Estate Manager, this is the course for you.

These are a suite of level 3 qualifications (equivalent to A level) which can be studied in a variety of combinations to allow flexibility and to help you to develop your practical game and countryside management skills.

Level 3 Certificate – you complete 3 subjects to study
Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma – you complete 6 subjects to study
Level 3 Diploma – you complete 12 subject areas
Level 3 Extended Diploma – you complete all 18 subject areas

Gamekeeping and wildlife conservation have much in common, both require the sensitive management of the woodland and countryside habitat. This course aims to provide you with the traditional practical skills required for the modern gamekeeper, who is also often responsible for estate management.

The course provides a practical understanding of game, fish and deer management along with the underpinning knowledge required by countryside managers. Whilst on the course, students will carry out wide and varied practical tasks related to gamekeeping on the college estate, supplemented by visits to various estates within the local vicinity. During your course you will assist with running the College shoot.

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. 

Industry Work Placement

All students aged 16-18 on our Level 2 & Level 3 programmes will now have to take part in an exciting and compulsory 50-day industry placement programme alongside completion of their vocational course. The programme will give you the chance to gain valuable skills in a real working environment whilst being paired with your ideal employer.

Our mission is to pair students with their ideal employer and to support them continuously during the placement.

There is flexibility on how students complete the placement; it can be during non-college weekdays, weekends, in blocks or over the holiday period. You will receive all of the necessary information during your interview, and if you have any queries in the meantime please contact workexperience@plumpton.ac.uk

Qualifications Gained

• BTEC National Diploma in Countryside Management
• Plumpton College Diploma Game Management
• Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 (DSC)
• Loaders qualification (NGO) (at additional cost) 
• College award, Functional Skills or GCSEs in English and Maths

Future Opportunities

This course is aimed at those who are looking for a career in practical gamekeeping, fish management, deer management and estate management. On completion of the course students can progress on to the Foundation Degree in Countryside Management or obtain employment in the following:

• As an under keeper
• Countryside ranger
• Game Farm assistant
• Gundog training
• Deer stalker
• Shoot manager
• Pest controller
• Estate Assistant
• Gun shop assistant