For a student at SRUC, here’s how the different types of courses break down
Further Education (FE)
These are often hands-on courses to prepare you for a career or to progress to a higher level of study. At SRUC, FE courses include:
- National Certificates (NC) in subjects like Agriculture, Equine Studies, or Animal Care
- Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), which are very practical, in areas like Landscaping, Horticulture, or Rural Skills
- Access Courses to help you move on to higher education, especially if you’re looking at things like Environmental Conservation or Forestry
Higher Education (HE)
HE at SRUC covers deeper study and can lead to professional roles or postgraduate options. Examples include:
- Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND), covering topics like Agricultural Technology, Wildlife and Conservation Management, or Veterinary Nursing
- Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Degrees such as a BSc in Environmental Science, BA in Rural Business Management, or BSc in Countryside Management
Postgraduate (PG)
PG study is specialised and happens after completing a degree. These courses focus on advanced knowledge for particular fields or research. At SRUC, these might be:
- Master’s Degrees in areas like Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Tourism Management, or Animal Behaviour and Welfare
- PhD (Doctorate) programmes for research in areas such as Agri-Food Systems, Biodiversity, or Ecosystem Services