Agricultural engineer

Also called Land-based engineer.

Agricultural engineers design, develop and service agricultural, horticultural and forestry machinery and equipment.

Potential salary: £28,000 starter to £50,000 experienced per year
Typical hours: 38 to 42. Working pattern: evenings / weekends occasionally.
Career area: Engineering
Where they might work: You could work in an office, on a farm or in a workshop. Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers.
A typical task: assess the environmental impact of agricultural production methods
Subjects that may help: at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
Typical route: You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
Interest area used here: Making, fixing and working outdoors, Asking questions and research

Career actions

What you might do

assess the environmental impact of agricultural production methods
supervise projects like land drainage, reclamation and irrigation
solve engineering problems, like designing vehicles for all ground and weather conditions
inspect and diagnose equipment faults and fix them
test and install new machinery, like harvesters and crop sprayers
plan service and repair programmes for machinery and equipment

More tasks (1)

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

More skills

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
agricultural engineering
agricultural technology
mechanical, electrical or electronic engineering
These courses are offered by land-based engineering institutions .
You'll usually need:
at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
equivalent entry requirements
student finance for fees and living costs
university courses and entry requirements

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

Agriculture
Related, but not enough on its own. Agriculture is not an engineering degree.
Mechanical engineering
Alternative route. Mechanical or agricultural engineering can both lead in. Check the modules if you want land-based machinery.

You may be able to apply for a place on a Land-Based Service Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
This takes around 2 years to complete and combines on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.
Once working, you would go on to further training to become an engineer.
You'll usually need:
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
equivalent entry requirements
guide to apprenticeships

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge you'll need to find a trainee engineer role.
Courses include:
agricultural engineering
land-based technology
T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
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
equivalent entry requirements
guide to T Levels
funding advice
search for agricultural colleges

Career progression

With experience, you could move into project management or specialist technical research and development with equipment manufacturers.
You could also register for chartered engineer status through the Institution of Agricultural Engineers . This demonstrates your skills and expertise within the industry.
You could also move into technical sales, business development, teaching or consultancy work.

at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship