Courses

HND in Countryside Management

This is a two year course that helps you develop an in depth understanding of natural systems and land uses, as well as develop the skills to communicate environmental topics effectively to others.


HND1 follows the same programme as HNC. The HND2 units include :

Habitat Management - Description of a variety of techniques used in habitat management and their application in relation to habitat requirements and relevant management objectives.

Ecology: Principles and Practice - The explanation of ecological processes and principles.  Investigating ecological variation and carrying out a Phase 1 habitat survey.

Managing the Aquatic Environment - Describing the key components of aquatic ecosystems and habitats.  Describing the impact of humans on aquatic ecosystems, and the management techniques available to maintain water quality.

Interpretive Principles - Evaluate the principles, provision and role of interpretation.

Education for Sustainability: Opportunities and Delivery - The development of skills for the delivery of education for sustainability.

Countryside Visitor Management - Applying appropriate visitor data collection techniques and developing effective proposals for managing visitors and improving participation in a countryside area.

Countryside Access: Law and Organisation - Describing the law and organisation of countryside access in the UK and evaluating the effectiveness of area access strategies.

Heritage Studies - A demonstration of an appreciation of Scotland's heritage.

Land Use in Practice - Developing an understanding of land use systems in the United Kingdom through investigating actual businesses.

Constructing Hard Landscape Features - Explaining, describing and applying the principles of the construction of common hard landscape features and evaluating their uses in the landscape.

Problem Solving Using Teamwork and Quantitative Methods - Applying team work and quantitative methods to solve problems and make decisions.

Quality Service and Customer Care - Evaluating the main features and benefits of effective quality systems and good customer care procedures to a business.

Developing Personal Effectiveness - Developing skills to enhance personal effectiveness in a range of applied situations.

Information Handling and Presentation - Developing skills and knowledge to allow candidates to use the cycle of data handling: observation, formulating a hypothesis, collection of data, statistical tests, conclusion.

Work Experience - Perform a range of tasks to progress personal development and enhance employability.

Entry requirements

Essential

For progressing students
- it is essential to have passed the HNC level of the course above.

For new students
- 2 Higher Grades at C or above, preferably in Biology, Geography, History, Geology or sciences
- Mature outlook

Desirable

Outdoor experience through either employment, volunteering or leisure activitiesAdditional information

Students take part in an exchange visit to a college in Norway, where the chance to compare countryside management practices is invariably well received.  HND Students also become involved in hosting the return visit of the Norwegian students.

Progression

Oatridge has arrangements with Higher Education establishments for articulation with degree programmes, most commonly with SAC at Ayr, Edinburgh and Aberdeen to their courses in Countryside Management, Rural Resource Management and Environmental Protection and Management

Start date

Mid September each year

Finish date

Early June each year

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