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Foundation Certificate Sportsturf Part Time

About the course

The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. Designed to develop technical, practical and employability skills, this foundation certificate will enable you to meet the demands of the sportsturf industry and employers. You will develop skills and knowledge in soils and plant sciences, cultural practices for sportsturf, sportsturf mechanisation and business management.

In addition the course is designed to equip you with the necessary modules to progress onto the final year of the FdSc Sportsturf course, to be completed either by full time or on-line study.

The Foundation Certificate in Sportsturf consists of six modules, of which a maximum of four can be taken in an academic year, therefore the course will require a minimum of 18 months to complete.

Course modules

Year 1

Business Management

This module introduces key areas of management activity such as human resource management, leadership, marketing and finance to allow you to develop further knowledge and skills to improve future employability in land based industries.

Sportsturf Mechanisation

Exploring the relationships between labour and mechanisation in sportsturf management, this module allows you to evaluate machinery and energy sources, and appraise optimum utilisation of power and equipment.

Academic and Vocational Skills

Working in industry will require sportsturf professionals to develop a range of practical and professional skills. This module provides you with first-hand work related experience of a range of practical and technical skills as well as developing your ability to present information in a suitable academic and professional style. You will be encouraged to evaluate and reflect on your own personal development throughout the module.

Essential Plant and Soil Science

Plants and soils have a very close relationship. This module will look at the biochemistry and physiology of plants and how these are affected by the plants environment. You will consider the characteristics of the soil environment and how these impact on plant growth and land use. The mechanisms by which plants can express the genetic information coded in their DNA and pass this on to the next generation will also be explained.

Turfgrass Establishment and Management (Double module)

This module will provide you with the fundamental principles for the establishment and management of natural turf surfaces used for a variety of sporting and recreational purposes. It covers all necessary cultural practices for turf maintenance including establishment together with identification of grasses, pest’s diseases and weeds.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

5 GCSE passes at Grade C (4) or above (including Maths and English or equivalent)

Plus 48 UCAS Tariff points from one or more of the following:

· 2 A-levels (A2), at least one at C or above

· BTEC/C&G Level 3

· 2 Scottish Highers at C or above

· 3 Irish Highers at C or above

· International Baccalaureate at 24 points

· NVQ Level 3 in a relevant discipline

AS levels, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma and Scottish Intermediate 2s may be used to contribute to entry requirements but they are not sufficient for entry on their own. Alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively.

Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) for certain modules will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.

All offers may be subject to successful interview

Learning and assessment

Learning Environment:

Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Students will be expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations will form an important part of the course. Students will also have access to specialist IT hardware and software.

Assessment:

Students will face a variety of assessments including a combination of coursework and unseen examinations. The coursework assessment methods will include technical reports, portfolios, group and individual presentations, laboratory/practical reports and extended project work. The students may be required to produce work in a range of formats, such as the production of leaflets or research posters.

Additional Information:

The department has a close working relationship with a large number of industry bodies and sports clubs and so teaching is supported with a range of guest speakers, visits to top class sporting venues and trade shows. We are supported by Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd, Bernard Grinders and Co and Kubota UK. The course is accredited by the Institute of Groundsmanship.

There will be the opportunity to apply to become an R&A scholar and receive a bursary and support from the R&A. Currently 30% of our students receive an R&A Scholarship.

The course utilises the College sports facilities: 9 hole golf course, winter games pitches warm up areas and full size third generation artificial football pitch for teaching, practical activities and scenario based exercises.

What work experience can I get?

Students value the opportunities that the course gives them to develop skills and knowledge to enable them to secure employment within the industry.

They appreciate the enviable reputation that Myerscough College has which allows them to develop international contacts with high profile sporting venues.

The industry experience and expertise of the teaching staff is recognised as a real strength of the course.

Innovative teaching practices and award winning staff enable each student to reach their potential and realise their goals and ambitions within the industry.

Progression

Successful students will be able to apply for Foundation Degree in related subjects, for instance the FdSc Sportsturf at Myerscough College.

Careers

There is a total of 180 hours in-built work experience throughout the course. This will be assessed in the Work Skills Development module. In addition, students are strongly advised that any further work experience will enhance their prospects of employment. The work skills module would usually be completed on the College sports surfaces, but could be completed at a student’s workplace. However, the student will still need to submit work-based assignments to complete the course.

Professional accreditations

This course is fully endorsed by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) and recognised as the qualification of choice for those seeking careers within the sportsturf industry such as Grounds and Stadium Managers.

Myerscough College is a Golf Course Training Committee (GTC) approved centre and has a close working relationship with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA).

Special requirements

Specialist clothing and equipment:

· Safety boots

· Overalls

· Laboratory coat

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:

· Waterproofs and safety boots - £80