NC Greenkeeping

The course will give you the skills and knowledge to develop a career in the greenkeeping industry.

Location: Elmwood
Study mode:
Start date: September 2023
Duration: 1 years
Agency code: GRK1,;

Course overview

**THIS COURSE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO NEW APPLICANTS**

The course provides students with the recognised skills and knowledge to develop a career in the greenkeeping industry.

The course is a combination of both theoretical and practical subjects. Students will be trained and assessed on all aspects of golf course practical competencies to a high standard by the fully qualified Lantra instructors on site at the Elmwood 18 hole golf course.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

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

Entry requirements

Minimum three National 4s including English.

Mature applicants seeking a change of career will be assessed individually.

What you'll learn

The theory elements of the course will be classroom taught, supplemented with visits to the many excellent golf courses in proximity to the Campus, where Golf Course Managers will share their experiences of modern day Greenkeeping techniques with students.

On successful completion of the course students will be equipped the skills and knowledge to enable them to gain meaningful employment in the Greenkeeping industry. The Greenkeeping lecturing team can assist students with future opportunities employment in the industry.

This course covers a range of topics, including:

Golf Course Construction
Golf Course Maintenance
Sports Turf Nutrition Environmental Issues
Turf Maintenance Machinery

Successful learners may progress onto the SVQ Sports Turf courses, or the Higher National Certificate Golf Course Management. Students can continue their studies with SRUC either full time or through distance or work-based learning.

Meet the lecturer

Andrew O’Hara

Based at our Elmwood campus, Andrew has over forty years' experience in greenkeeping, working his way up from Apprentice Greenkeeper to Head Greenkeeper and Course Manager.

Andrew has a vast wealth of knowledge to share with the greenkeepers of the future. As well as Greenkeeping and lecturing, he has also been the chairman of the Central section and Scottish region of the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).

Andrew really enjoys teaching his students and seeing them succeed in gaining their qualifications.

View Andrew's Pure profile

Student experience

Kyle McClung has been playing golf since the age of ten. So when he decided to change his career path, he knew which direction to turn.

He studied greenkeeping at entry level before starting work as a greenkeeper at Turnberry. Three years later he was at Gleneagles, where he picked up his studies again.

“It can be challenging, but it’s not impossible," he says about juggling learning and work. "A lot of it's time management and self-motivation. One of my tutors, Paul Miller, was very influential. His passion was infectious. He made you want to find out more."

Kyle is now greenkeeper at Glenbervie Golf Club's championship course.

The opportunities are huge, especially for those who want to work abroad. I know students who have travelled the world."

Kyle McClung

Course Funding

Full-time students of NC Greenkeeping 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