NC Land-based Engineering - An Introduction

This course will give you a general introduction to engineering principles, as well as tractor and machinery operation and maintenance.

Location: Oatridge
Study mode: Full Time (1 year)
Start date: September 2026
Duration: 1 years
Agency code: LBI1

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Course overview

This course will give you a general introduction to engineering principles, as well as tractor and machinery operation and maintenance.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Entry requirements

Ideally you'll have a National 4 in Maths and English, however this is not mandatory. All previous skills and qualifications will be considered.

Entry is by interview and you'll need to demonstrate your commitment to the course.

Students must be 16 years of age or older.

What you'll learn

The course covers a range of topics, including fabrication and welding, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), tractor maintenance and operation and machinery maintenance and operation.

You'll also learn about servicing engines and transmissions, vehicle electrics and hydraulics, and health and safety.

Work experience in a real-life environment shows you how to put your learning into practice.

Example modules include:

Electrics and Hydraulics
Tractor Operations
Land-based Machinery
Internal Combustion Engines
Sheet Metal Workshop Skills

Meet the lecturer

Fraser Wilson

Coming from a farming background, Fraser always wanted to be an agricultural engineer. He has worked at our Oatridge campus for about 17 years across various roles in the engineering team. After completing an apprenticeship at Oatridge working with a grass machinery company, he moved on to work with agricultural machinery dealers in the Lothian area.

As the land-based engineering sector evolves, new technologies, larger machines and a focus on reducing environmental impacts are driving innovation. Fraser enjoys discovering the methods machinery manufacturers are using overcoming these challenges.

View Fraser's Pure profile

Robert Paterson

Robert has a keen interested in engineering and mechanisation from an early age. Once qualified as an agricultural engineer, he worked in the agricultural engineering industry gaining extensive experience on a broad range of machinery from different manufacturers.

Robert worked his way up through teaching at SRUC Barony and has recently returned to take up the post of Programme Team Leader, with the aim to pass his enthusiasm and passion for the industry to the next generation.

Course Funding

Full-time students of NC Introduction to Land-Based Engineering can apply for a Further Education Bursary.

Once you’ve accepted a place, we’ll email the bursary funding online application. Complete the application and return it along with any required documents. You should apply even if you're still waiting for exam results.

Tuition fees are waived for students who qualify for a bursary.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees & funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: Any care experienced students studying full time can apply for a bursary of around £202.50 per week. Find out more from our student funding teams at registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Education Maintenance Allowance: Students between the ages of 16-19 who meet specific criteria may be entitled to an EMA. This means-tested allowance depends on the income of the home the student stays in.
Discretionary Fund
Childcare

NC Land-based Engineering - An Introduction

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About SRUC

Anchored locally, impacting globally.

Student life

Explore what life is like at SRUC from before your arrival all the way through to graduation. Find campus and accommodation information, tips, checklists and helpful information on getting started at SRUC. You can also find information on student support services, term dates & timetables, Moodle and more.

Training courses

SRUC's training service offers a wide range of training and skills development courses to meet the needs of the land-based workforce across Scotland and the rest of the UK.