Countryside ranger

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for a countryside ranger job.

Relevant courses include:

• environmental studies
• rural resource management
• countryside management
• conservation

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You may be able to get into this job after doing a course at an agricultural or land based college.

Courses include:

• environmental and conservation skills
• countryside management
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:

• Countryside Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Forest Craftsperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Countryside Ranger Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These take between 1 and 3 years to complete.

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

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could get useful experience by volunteering through:

• National Parks UK
• The Wildlife Trusts
• The Conservation Volunteers
• Countryside Jobs Service

This may give you an advantage when looking for work.

You could apply for a position as an assistant ranger in a national park or with an organisation like the National Trust. Once working, you may be offered the opportunity to do further training to become a ranger.

You'll be expected to have some paid or voluntary experience of working in the countryside or conservation, and a love of working outdoors.

Career Tips

A first aid qualification may help when applying for jobs.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Countryside Management Association for professional development training and to build up your contacts.

Further Information

You can find more details about working in the countryside from The National Trust and Green Jobs for Nature .

As a countryside ranger, you could:

• plan and create habitats to protect plants, trees, animals and birds
• lead guided walks, exhibition talks and educational visits
• inspect sites, monitor wildlife and report findings
• supervise assistant rangers and volunteers in daily tasks
• encourage community involvement in conservation projects
• operate machinery and equipment, and use hand and power tools

We've identified this as a green job

As a countryside ranger, you can work on tree planting schemes to help reduce the effects of flooding. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

You could work in woodland or in a park.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.