How to become a farmer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- agriculture
- land management
- farm business management
- crop and livestock production
Courses and qualifications are available through agricultural colleges as well as universities.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could start your career in farming by doing a course at agricultural college like:
- Level 2 Certificate in Land-based Activities
- Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture
This would teach you some of the skills and knowledge needed in this job.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
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Apprenticeship
You could get farming experience through apprenticeships relevant to this role like:
- Level 2 General farm worker
- Level 2 Stockperson
- Level 2 Poultry worker
- Level 3 Poultry technician
- Level 3 Crop technician
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
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Work
You can get valuable experience and move into farm management by working as a supervisor, dairy or arable unit manager, or assistant manager.
You could also take qualifications on the job like the Level 4 Certificate in Work-based Agricultural Management.
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Further information
You can find more on farming careers from Tasty Careers, the National Land Based College and LANTRA the body for land-based industries in the UK.