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land management

Land Management at Plumpton College

Land management is changing. From sustainable farming and nature recovery to rural property, conservation, biodiversity and renewable energy, land-based professionals are helping to solve some of the biggest challenges facing society.

At Plumpton College, you can study land management at a level to suit your goals, with bespoke learning pathways to suit your needs. We offer a range of courses, from full-time study programmes and practical qualifications to part-time courses, apprenticeships and university-level study. 

Our higher education courses are designed for people who want to develop the knowledge, technical skills and professional confidence to manage land responsibly, support sustainable businesses and build a rewarding career across the rural, environmental and agricultural sectors.

Whether you want to become a rural surveyor, land agent, countryside manager, conservation professional, estate manager or sustainable land-use adviser, Plumpton College can help you take your next step.

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At Plumpton College, students learn in industry-standard facilities designed to reflect real working environments, from specialist workshops and laboratories to working farms, equine centres and outdoor learning spaces across the South Downs.

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Campus Life at Plumpton College

Our excellent residential facilities accommodate up to 203 students in modern comfortable rooms. Rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ across all areas, you’ll find them a fantastic place to stay.

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Land Management Sector

Land management extends far beyond traditional farming, with careers spanning agriculture, conservation, rural property, forestry, environmental planning, biodiversity, renewable energy and climate resilience. As the sector responds to sustainable food production, habitat creation, biodiversity loss, new environmental land management approaches and advances in technology such as GIS, drones and precision agriculture, there is growing demand for professionals who can balance commercial, environmental and social priorities.

The UK’s green economy accounted for an estimated 652,100 full-time equivalent jobs in 2024, while agriculture continues to employ around 279,000 people in England. Plumpton College supports this changing sector by offering land management study programmes, including our Rural Land & Business Management and Sustainable Land Management degrees. With practical learning, industry connections and access to a diverse working estate, students can develop the knowledge and experience to progress into careers in rural surveying, estate management, conservation, environmental consultancy, forestry, agriculture and sustainable land use.

Sources: ons.gov.uk, gov.uk

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Why Study Land Management at Plumpton College?

Discover inspiring courses, supportive tutors, and real opportunities that prepare you for university, employment, and beyond.

  • Learn on a working land-based estate
    Study in a diverse practical environment with 800hectres of land to explore, manage and study. The Plumpton Estate includes working farmland, ancient semi-rural woodland, chalk downland and a range of valuable habitats.
  • Gain practical experience alongside academic knowledge
    Our courses are designed to connect theory with practice. Depending on your programme, you may undertake fieldwork, habitat surveys, estate management activities, practical land-based projects, GIS work and work placements.
  • Study a RICS-accredited rural land and business degree
    Our BSc (Hons) Rural Land & Business Management is accredited by RICS, providing professional recognition and a potential pathway towards a career as a Chartered Surveyor, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
  • Learn from industry-informed course content
    Our land management courses reflect the skills and knowledge employers need, from rural business and valuation to conservation, climate resilience, habitat monitoring and sustainable land use.
  • Benefit from strong sector connections
    Plumpton works with employers, professional bodies, conservation organisations and industry partners. Students may gain insight into different career routes through guest speakers, placements, projects and professional engagement.
  • Choose a study route that works for you
    Whether you are starting out, changing career, already working in the sector or looking to progress to university-level study, you can choose from full-time courses, degrees, part-time learning and apprenticeships.

Our Personal Development Programme supports students

We ensure students have the knowledge needed surrounding personal finance, health, wellbeing and careers. Furthermore, we seek to develop their skills in being able to put that knowledge into practice in their daily and future lives. We aspire to develop their attitudes and values so that they have opinions about key aspects of society and know how to appropriately share their own and also challenge other people’s opinions.