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  • Level 3 Extended Diploma Countryside Management (Wildlife Conservation)

Countryside Management (Wildlife Conservation) Level 3 Extended Diploma

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  • Level of study:
    College course
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
  • Start date:
    September 2026
  • Duration:
    Two years
  • Attendance:
    Full-time
  • Course delivery:
    On-campus (Brackenhurst)
Students pond dipping
Information for 2026

About this course

This course will develop your knowledge of wildlife conservation and the environment. You’ll also study different wildlife habitats and take part in classroom activities to learn about how to protect and save rare wildlife.

Why choose Brackenhurst?

Brackenhurst is the rural campus of Nottingham Trent University and, as the centre of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, we are passionate about the countryside and farming. Our mission is to make you industry-ready and career-focused individuals, so that you are ready to take the industry forward.

Brackenhurst is only a bus journey away from Nottingham city centre. However, it feels a world away from the city when you see the stunning Nottinghamshire countryside within which Brackenhurst is located. Our college courses run alongside degree courses – all taught by tutors who are skilled, experienced and supportive.

Brackenhurst prides itself on providing you with a friendly and supportive learning environment. Our college courses are taught by tutors who have spent time working in industry, therefore transferring their skills and experience, with a focus on making you industry ready.

  • Easy to get to

    Brackenhurst is set in stunning countryside just a bus ride away from Nottingham city centre, next to the town of Southwell.

  • Amazing facilities

    At Brackenhurst, you’ll have access to incredible facilities. These include an Animal Unit, Equestrian Centre, laboratories, library and gardens and fields that are overflowing with plants and wildlife.

  • Study your college course at a uni

    Studying with us means that you’ll be a part of an amazing learning environment. You get all the perks of being part of a big university, but you will still enjoy the comforts of a friendly college.

  • Follow your passion

    Our courses have great progression routes to further study. You can even study one of NTU’s degrees right here at Brackenhurst, and may be eligible to receive an offer one grade lower than the standard entry tariff.

This course is for anyone passionate about the environment and keen to learn how to protect and save rare species. You'll gain an understanding of wildlife conservation and develop practical hands-on experience of managing wildlife and habitats, outdoors and as part of a team.

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

Student experience

  • Daisy Bayman

    Countryside Management (Wildlife Conservation) student

    “The practical experience I have gained has set me up very well so far in terms of confidence and employability skills.”

    Read Daisy's profile
  • Indy Kiemel Greene

    Indy Kiemel Greene

    Countryside Management (Wildlife Conservation) student

    “I went to an open day before applying, I met my lecturers and the campus looked amazing, so it was a very easy choice to come here.”

    Read Indy's profile

Student Work

Video Gallery

 

How you're taught

You’ll learn in our fantastic facilities and be taught by tutors who have real-life experience of working within wildlife and conservation. You can expect the course to be split so that approximately 40% is practical work and 60% is theory work. You will be taught through lectures, group discussions and practical demonstrations. You’ll also get to go on trips to different locations, including nature reserves, farms, estates and rehabilitation centres.

The course includes a work placement. This allows you to develop your skills and knowledge in ecology, the environment and wildlife conservation, and looks good to future employers. You'll get to take part in volunteering projects at local conservation organisations, including The Wildlife Trusts, private environmental consultants, and environmental and countryside management organisations.

How you’ll be assessed

You'll be assessed through written assignments, presentations, practical assessments, class tests and external exams.

Who will teach you?

Entry requirements

UK students

For 2026 entry you'll need:

  • Four GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above including:
    • Science
    • Maths or English language (with the other subject at grade 3 / D or above).
  • If you do not yet have a grade 4 / C in English language or maths you will need to complete GCSE retakes as part of your study programme.

A Level 2 Technical qualification or other equivalent qualifications will be considered.

International students

We welcome applications from international students who do not require a student route visa. Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 to discuss how your qualifications match our course requirements.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.
Fees for the 2026/27 academic year are yet to be agreed but, as a guide, the fees for 2025/26 are below:

If you are aged 16-18 and applying for a Level 2 or 3 course

There are no course fees if you’re aged under 19 on 31 August of the year you start your course.

If you are aged 19+ and applying for a Level 2, Level 3 or Access to Higher Education course

If you’re studying your first full Level 3 or Access to Higher Education qualification, you may be eligible for free tuition. You will still need to pay the registration fee applicable for your course.

If you are applying for the Level 2 qualification or have already completed a full Level 3 qualification, tuition and registration fees will apply.

To cover the cost of tuition when applying for a Level 3 and Access to Higher Education qualification, you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from the UK Government. It is easy to apply, your household income is not taken into account, and there is no credit check. You will not have to pay anything back until your income is over £25,000.

Please see our fees and funding information for more details.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

Please email our FE Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 5299 for more information on fees and funding.

Please note, college courses are not available for EU or international students where a student route visa is required to study.

However, we offer Foundation and Pre-Masters pathway courses leading onto selected Bachelors and Masters degrees at the University through our partner Nottingham Trent International College.

We accept qualifications from schools, colleges and universities all over the world for entry onto our degrees. If you’re not sure how your international qualifications match our course requirements, please visit our international qualifications page.

Careers and employability

After completing this course there are a number of options and routes that you can take. You could choose to continue your studies and go onto a higher education course or pursue a career in a wildlife conservation and environment-related industry.

If you are successful and achieve the right combination of results, you’ll be able to progress on to the BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation or BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation degrees right here at NTU’s Brackenhurst Campus.

Future jobs within the wildlife conservation and environment industry include:

  • Researcher - you can earn up to £24,000
  • Zookeeper - you can earn up to £24,500
  • Countryside / Game Ranger - you can earn up to £28,000
  • Nature Conservation Officer - you can earn up to £25,000
  • Ecological Assistant - you can earn up to £29,000

Placement opportunities

Work placements are a great way to broaden your knowledge and skills. You will have the opportunity the take part in work experience in a range of conservation projects and organisations.

We have a wide network of links within the industry which will enable you to get the best placements.

Where your course could take you

Discover how our students and alumni used their qualification to further their careers. Take a look at our other profiles and explore the possibilities awaiting you.

  • Gemma’s experience studying Countryside Management

    Gemma Chambers discusses her favourite things about the course and studying at Brackenhurst Campus, the work experience she undertook, and plans for the future.

    View Gemma Chambers's profile

  • Katie's hands-on experience studying Countryside Management

    Hear from Katie Parry, who discusses her experience of studying on the Level 3 Countryside Management college course at Brackenhurst.

    View Katie Parry's profile

Campus and facilities

Brackenhurst is easy to get to. We’re just 14 miles from Nottingham city centre, next to the town of Southwell. Find out more about getting here.

Study a wildlife course at Brackenhurst and you’ll have access to some fantastic facilities.

Our rural campus is made up of grassland, hedgerows, woods and ponds. It also includes a working farm. It is home to a wide range of wildlife species that you will observe, handle and study. You’ll use the campus and its habitats for hands-on, practical lessons during your course.

As well as your subject-specific facilities, you’ll also find:

  • a library, including fully equipped computer rooms
  • modern classrooms and teaching areas
  • laboratories
  • our careers and employability service
  • a dining room and Costa Coffee
  • our student shop
  • a common room.

Wildlife students are involved in tracking, mapping and recording a wide variety of species at Brackenhurst campus.

  • Species include hedgehogs, badgers, bats and farmland bird species.
  • Brown Hare can often be seen in the fields on the estate, especially in the field margins.
  • The estate also hosts one of Nottinghamshire's highest populations of Great Crested Newt.

Sheepwalk's Pond was created in the winter of 1995 by excavating an area adjacent to Halloughton Dumble that suffered seasonal water logging due to the high water table, and natural spring, which is located to the north of the pond. A bird hide provides students with a platform to observe wildlife on the pond. Notable species include Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Bittern and many other species of Wildfowl.In addition to Kestrel, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl and Sparrowhawk we have also recorded Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Hobby and Little Owl.

Students who are over 18 may apply for accommodation, and this is assessed on an individual basis and is not guaranteed. Please contact us for more details.

Applying

UK students

Applying for a college course at Brackenhurst is really simple. You can apply via our online form and we have a step-by-step guide to applying for a college course for you use.

If you have any questions

Drop us a line — we're here to help every step of the way. You can email fe.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 5299.

For Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions see our Student Contract pages.

Apply now

International students

Please email fe.enquiries@ntu.ac.uk or call +44 (0)115 848 5299 our FE team for more information on how to apply.

Apply now

Application support

If you have any questions, just drop us a line – we’re here to help every step of the way. You can fill in our online form or give us a call on +44 (0)115 848 2999.

Related courses

More from this subject

View more courses on the Conservation and Ecology subject page

Further study

View Conservation and Ecology undergraduate courses

Keeping in touch

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