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Agronomist apprenticeships

Biological scientists > Agronomist

Environment and land | Science and research

Agronomist apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying for a graduate training scheme
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies


    • University

    There's no set route to become an agronomist but it may be helpful to do a foundation degree or degree in: 

    • agriculture 
    • biology 
    • ecology 
    • crop and plant science 
    • soil science
    You'll usually need at least 1 A-Level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree. You'll need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree. 

    College
    You could work towards this role by doing a relevant college course like a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture. You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent.

    Apprenticeship
    You could get into this role through an agriculture professional adviser higher apprenticeship. Most people following this route have 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Levels, or equivalent. 

    Other Routes
    You could study for the BASIS Foundation Award in Agronomy if you're new to the industry and have limited crop experience and knowledge. This will give you an introduction to agronomy, crop protection and crop nutrition. You can also apply for a graduate training scheme if you have a degree. 

    Schemes are offered by independent consultancies or companies selling agro-chemicals, seed or fertiliser products. It's really useful to get as much experience as possible of working in an agricultural environment.


    Agronomist apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • science skills 
    • complex problem-solving skills 
    • business management skills 
    • the ability to work well with others
    • analytical thinking skills 
    • the ability to learn through your work 
    • excellent verbal communication skills 
    • maths knowledge 
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
    Restrictions and Requirements
    You'll need to have a full driving licence. You'll need the BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection if you're advising on or selling pesticides in the UK. This is a legal requirement.

    Agronomist apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    In your day-to-day duties you may: 

    • advise farmers on land management and how to improve their crop yields 
    • study soil, water and other factors which affect crop growth 
    • create chemical treatment plans to keep crops free of pests and weeds 
    • record information on plant growth and environmental conditions 
    • carry out field trials to solve clients' crop problems
    • collect and analyse crop yield and financial data 
    • keep up to date with product developments and legislation
    Working environment
    You could work in an office, on a farm, at a research facility or visit sites. Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often. You may need to wear protective clothing.

    Career path and progression - Agronomist apprenticeships

    You could specialise in precision farming methods or developing nutrition plans for fruit or vegetable crops. You could also study for a postgraduate master's degree, like soil science or genetics, and become a consultant.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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