NC Land-based Engineering

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

Location: Barony
Study mode: block release (2 years)
Start date: August 2023
Duration: 2 years
Agency code: LBB1,;

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Course overview

Land-based engineering is a career for anyone with an interest in machines, an urge to learn practical skills and, increasingly, a fascination with new technology.

This course, only available at our Barony campus in Dumfries and Galloway, is designed to combine those interests with a desire to work in the Agricultural / Forestry industry.

It aims to develop both specialist knowledge and technical skills to meet the demands of working with agricultural/forestry machines and equipment.

Over the duration of the 2 years and 32 weeks in college, you will enjoy a challenging and innovative course.

This is a course where you will need prove a high level of determination, motivation and a drive to succeed from the beginning to end. You will be expected to work to deadlines like those you will face in industry. You will work along with a teaching team that are hugely experienced in their field, all coming from an industry background.

Entry requirements

Minimum two National 4s, including English and Maths, and two National 5s in any subject

Successful completion of NC Land-based Engineering: An Introduction is also an acceptable qualification - subject to a suitable reference from the course tutor.

Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.

Example modules

Hydraulic Systems
Mechanical Transmission Systems
Engine Technology
Electrics: An Introduction
Workshop Processes
Welding
Electronic Control & Monitoring

What you'll learn

The course covers a range of core topics, including engine technology, repair skills and electrics, as well as workshop processes, welding and mechanical transmission.

You'll learn about hydraulic systems and brakes, steering and traction, as well as how to operate, maintain and repair machinery in the contexts of health, safety and the environment and of the agricultural/forestry industry.

This course provides an ideal blend of theory and practical tasks, where you will learn how a system works and then get hands on with the system.

The course involves talks from leading people in the industry along with field visits relevant to the subject you have chosen.

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.

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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.

Phil Naish

Modern Apprenticeship in Agricultural Engineering

Phil is based at SRUC Barony and lectures in agricultural and forestry engineering. A qualified engineer, he served his apprenticeship with New Holland. He's also worked with John Deere and in a CLAAS dealership. Before moving into lecturing, he was with Kuhn farm machinery.

Phil’s father was an agricultural engineer, so he's been around engineering from a young age. He enjoys sharing the knowledge his father and other tradesmen gave him with the engineers of tomorrow.

View Phil's Pure profile

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

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