BTEC Level 2 in Land & Wildlife Management (Technical Diploma in Countryside Pathway)

BTEC Level 2 Technical in Countryside (Land & Wildlife) Management is a practical hands-on qualifications designed to help you master the industry-specific skills and knowledge you will need to start and succeed in their careers.

You will cover vital industry knowledge employers say learners need within mandatory units and specialise with optional units.

You will draw on and apply all learning to a real-life situation in the synoptic final unit. Build knowledge and focus on developing competency in key sector skills. Showcase what you know and can do in different types of assessments based on real-life scenarios.

Have evidence of applying what you know to tasks you will tackle every day in your chosen career.

Unit 1: Introduction to Working in Land-based Industries
Unit 2: Introduction to Plant and Soil Science
Unit 3: Countryside Work Placement
Unit 4: Habitat Maintenance
Unit 5: Countryside Access and Recreation
Unit 7: Land-based Machinery Operations
Unit 8: Countryside Estate Maintenance

Working in a variety of countryside occupations including junior estate operative or junior reserve warden.

With further study there are a range of possible employment opportunities including:
• Ecologist or environmental surveyor
• Countryside Ranger
• Environmental education officer
• Volunteer coordinator for an environmental charity
• Contractor for an environmental contracting firm
• Grounds maintenance for a major organisation such as the National Trust

Below are just some of the job roles our recent Level 3 Land & Wildlife students have gone on to secure:
• Ranger with the National Trust
• Volunteer Coordinator with Tyne Rovers Trust
• Self-employed ecological consultant working with the MoD and other large landowners
• Assistant Ranger and a Reserve Assistant with the RSPB.
• Apprentice Ranger with the North Yorks Moors National Park
• Groundskeeper with the local authority
• Invasive Species Manager with the Orkney Native Wildlife Project

Subject to grades, including Maths and English, this course could lead onto our Level 3 in Land & Wildlife Management or our Level 3 in Arboriculture.

3 x GCSE at grade 3 or above, plus maths or English (Language or Literature) at grade 4.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

Assessed through formal external exams, written assignment work and practical activities

September 2025

36 weeks face-to-face teaching with additional assignment work to be carried out at home. You will spend 3 days a week in college and also take part in 75 hours of work placement.