Course description
The basic rationale of the course is to develop an understanding of Countryside Management with a high level of critical analysis, and to develop a professional qualification relevant to employment opportunities. This is achieved by combining academic teaching, practical instruction through practitioner involvement and original research.
The course offers students a study experience which has a sound conceptual framework and at the same time provides a practical grounding in the application of key management skills and techniques related to Countryside Management.
Developing professional responsibility and vocational skills through experiential modes of learning such as the challenge of fieldwork, project teamwork and professional placements are key components. This demanding but rewarding blend of elements is at the core of the course.
A key aspect of the course is the unique partnership developed with contributing countryside agencies and organisations that take part in the design and delivery of the modules. With an excellent reputation amongst employers and a high level of input from practitioners and professionals the course meets the changing needs and demands of countryside management. Our main partners are:
* The Countryside Council for Wales
* Snowdonia National Park Authority
* Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre
* The National Trust Wales
Important inputs and contributions are made by a range of countryside and environmental organisations from the Statutory and Voluntary Sector, NGOs and Local Authorities. These include:
* The Environment Agency
* RSPB Cymru
* Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey Planning and Countryside Services
* North Wales Wildlife Trust
* BTCV Cymru
* Local Community Development Organisations
* Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales
* The Forestry Commission
Course structure
The MA/Diploma Countryside Management course is in two parts:
Part 1: A nine month taught Postgraduate / Post experience Diploma
Part 2: The MA element by Thesis
During the taught element of the course the overall strategy for teaching and learning is a balanced combination of academic knowledge and understanding by means of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and personal study. Opportunities for practical, experiential learning are given throughout the programme by means of formal practitioner involvement from partner agencies and external contributors, workplace learning, project work, workshops and team work exercises.
Each year joint research is undertaken in conjunction with an external organisation. The Countryside Management students take on the role of consultants on a specific project which is introduced early on in the course. The project culminates in a formal professional conference organised and presented by the students.
This is a very challenging aspect of the course and develops teamwork, organisational and communication skills as well as being a vital opportunity to work with potential employers. Recent conference themes include:
* Issues related to the Ynys Môn AONB, in Partnership with Anglesey Council Countryside Services
* Access to the Countryside with Plas y Brenin Centre for Mountain Activities
* Community Led Conservation with the North Wales Wildlife Trust
* Farm Diversification with the Countryside Council for Wales
* Integrated Land Management with the National Trust in Snowdonia
* Sustainable rural tourism on behalf of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales
All modules are continually assessed using a range of assignment techniques including essays and reports, presentations, examined tasks and fieldwork reports.
Progression to the MA element requires a satisfactory pass in the Diploma.
The MA Countryside Management is completed by a 20,000 word thesis which must be presented within a maximum of two years following initial registration on the Diploma.
Each candidate selects a topic related to Countryside Management and within a broad span of specialist areas represented by the taught modules. A supervisor is then allocated to each student. Primary research as well as a critical review of secondary literature are essential components of the thesis.
What will you study?
The various themes and aspects covered include:
* The Making of the Countryside – the complexity of physical, environmental, social and cultural interrelationships which have formed the countryside.
* The Changing Countryside – the concept of the countryside as dynamic and evolving and the implications of this for countryside management – in terms of the rural economy, conservation, biodiversity, recreation, community development and the major challenge of developing a sustainable integrated countryside.
* The Need for Countryside Management – principles, practices and methodologies in relation to natural and human resources.
* The Statutory Framework –legislation and statutory regulations governing the countryside and its management at regional, national and international levels.
* Effective Communication –as an essential element of countryside management including education, interpretation, presentation, public relations and media and working with communities
These subjects are covered through the range of modules available on the programme.
The taught modular programme consists of the following modules:
* Understanding the Countryside
* The Statutory Framework
* Community Development
* Management Planning for Conservation
* Interpretation and Communication
* Countryside Recreation Management
* Environmental Education for Sustainable Development
* Strategic Management
* Business Planning
* Research Methodology
* Professional Placement
* Intensive Field Study Units
* Course Conference
Placements
During the course students undertake a four week professional placement with a countryside or environmental organisation. The placements provide invaluable workplace learning opportunities and also a chance for students to follow a preferred direction within countryside management.
This is based upon their interest and future career preferences. The following are just some of the placements undertaken by our students recently:
* Ecological monitoring on Ynys Enlli - with the Bardsey Island Trust
* Assisting with the Snowdonia National Park Warden Service
* Access and recreation work with the Forestry Commission
* Developing interpretation materials with the National Trust
* Assisting with agri-environment schemes with the Countryside Council for Wales
* Habitat restoration work in Iceland with the Icelandic National Park Service
* Developing a management plan for the North Wales Wildlife Trust
* Working on environmental projects in the community with Antur Waunfawr Community Group
* Developing a Biodiversity Action Plan on Anglesey with Menter Môn
* Practical Conservation with Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an essential element throughout the course – with Snowdonia, Anglesey and the Llyn peninsula providing fantastic opportunities. There are regular Field and Site Visits and a number of intensive residential field units may include:
* Outdoor Skills, Competence and Safety at the Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre
* National Park Management at the Snowdonia National Park Centre, Plas Tan y Bwlch
* Practical Management and Ecology on Ynys Enlli with the Bardsey Island Trust
* European Field Visit – previous visits have included Austria, Portugal, Belgium and Ireland
