Environment

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree before applying for a 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

For 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/

College

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

Courses include:

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

For 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

Apprenticeship

You could 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 2 and a half 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

For 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

Volunteering and work experience

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.

Direct application

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.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• A driving licence may be required for some jobs.

More information

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 get more details about working in the countryside from the National Trust.

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could:become a head ranger, countryside officer or estate manager; move into more specialised work like forestry, coastal management or wildlife conservation