Foundation Certificate Sportsturf Part-time Online

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.

Year 1

Year 1

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.

Principles and Practices of Turfgrass Management (Double module)

This module aims to develop underpinning knowledge and skills necessary to establish and manage sportsturf playing surfaces. You will learn about the fundamental practices for the management of natural turf surfaces and the equipment and machinery used for these. Topics include mowing, irrigation, fertiliser application , topdressing, and aeration. The underlying science of these and other operations is discussed together with their practical application. Establishment of turf surfaces from seed and vegetative means is also covered.

Performance Management of Sportsturf Surfaces

The use of performance measures is now standard practice in the sportsturf industry. Their use can inform management decision making for quality surfaces. This module will equip you with a clear understanding of the methodology and process of performance quality testing for a range of sports turf surfaces. You will learn about the various testing equipment , protocols, and standards for a range of sportsturf surfaces.

Turfgrass Growth & Development

This module aims to equip students with the fundamental skills and knowledge to understand the anatomical and physiological factors involved in the growth and development of turfgrasses in the sportsturf environment. The characteristics and features of both cool and warm season grasses are evaluated. Grass plant morphology and physiology are discussed and effects of the environment and also management practices on the grass plant reviewed.

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

This course is designed for those employed in the Sportsturf Industry. Ideally you will be employed fulltime on a golf course , sports ground, or other site where the maintenance or management of playing surfaces used for sport is your primary role for example a public school or local authority. The course would also suit those employed in the sportsturf supply industries or those in agronomy/sportsturf construction. You must have access to a golf course or sports facility in order to complete the set coursework. Part-time or voluntary work is feasible, but this will need to be organised by yourself and in place before the course starts. Those working in closely related fields for example amenity horticulture or landscape management are welcome to apply. For any assistance on this matter you are invited to apply or contact the college to arrange a discussion with the course tutor.

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, golf, and sports clubs. Teaching is supported with a range of guest speakers, visits to top class sporting venues and trade shows additionally we are supported by Baroness Mowers and Kubota UK.

For those employed in golf greenkeeping there will be the opportunity to apply to become an R&A scholar and receive a bursary and support from The R&A

Progression

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

Careers

Distance learning students have gained promotion into the following positions:

Head Grounds person

Head Greenkeeper

Golf Course Manager

Local Authority Grounds Manager

Industry Sales & Marketing Professional

Professional accreditations

Test

Learning support

Test

Sportsturf studies

There are fantastic opportunities both in the UK and overseas for people who are trained and qualified in sportsturf. Careers exist at all levels, from assistant groundspersons and greenkeepers to managers of international sports facilities such as Premier League Football Clubs and the major elite Golf Courses. Our courses will equip you with the skills that are necessary to build, maintain and manage quality turf surfaces to a high standard.

Students learn the science behind how grasses grow, as well as soils, drainage and a wide range of maintenance practices. You will gain an understanding of the demands of sport and what players need or expect from turf surfaces. You will be taught how to provide these conditions all year round and in all weather conditions.

A solid reputation

Myerscough College enjoys a fantastic reputation across the UK and Europe as one of the leading providers of sportsturf education. Ex-students from the programmes can be found at some of the top sporting venues across the country including Wimbledon, the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and St Andrews.

Excellent Facilities

Myerscough benefits from superb sportsturf facilities including a nine-hole golf course, fully automated irrigation systems with various controllers and fittings, turfgrass research laboratory and more. The department has also recently had a brand new turfgrass unit built, offering specialist workshops, classrooms and research facilities.

A World of Opportunity

There are fantastic opportunities throughout the world for people who have training and qualifications in sportsturf. All our course equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience to progress to either the next level of education, or a career within the industry.

Latest news, Sportsturf

Our Partnership with UCLan

All our Higher Education programmes are awarded by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Myerscough College is an Associate School of the University of Central Lancashire, a dynamic, vibrant and contemporary university located in Preston city centre. UCLan is one of the largest universities in the UK with world-leading and internationally excellent research areas. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.