Higher National Technical Diploma in Agronomy and Sustainable Crop Production

Would you like to gain a comprehensive understanding of agriculture in all its aspects: production, processing and management? To understand, analyse and assess a farm system so that you can then make suggestions for improvement?

Are you looking to set up your own farm or take over an existing one? With this Higher Technical Qualification you’ll tackle a range of development challenges and get to the heart of the profession!

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Nature : Qualification-leading course
Lenght of training: 2 years
Terms and conditions: Work-study programme
Status: Holder of a Level 4 qualification: A-levels (general, technological or vocational) or equivalent

Overview

Objectives

Choosing a Higher National Technical Diploma in Agronomy and Sustainable CROP Production means:

Learning to identify bio-aggressors: weeds, diseases and pests.
Assessing arable fields in conventional or organic production in order to provide farmers with accurate advice.
Receiving support in developing your career plan and finding apprenticeship placements through the ESA network (Cavac, Axereal, Agri Négoce, etc.).

During your studies at ESA, you will be trained in:

Managing production within a cropping system
Conducting experiments
Organising production activities
Designing high-performance cropping systems
Supporting technical change

During your work placements, you will be trained to work independently across all areas of fodder crop, cereal and oilseed cultivation:

Providing technical support in the field of production
Conducting trials and interpreting results
Managing a specialised production system
Developing technical and economic benchmarks for the crops under observation Contributing to commercial activities.

At the ESA’s CFA (APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING CENTRE IN FRANCE), the course covers arable crops and the techniques used to optimise production whilst respecting the environment. The BTS in Agronomy and Sustainable Crops also includes teaching in plant breeding, enabling you to work in a plant breeding company. To broaden your horizons, ESA also offers a module on ‘Innovations in Agriculture’: an introduction to agronomic innovation and new techniques set to become widespread in the near future

Our training indicators

Further studies

After completinga Higher National Technical Diploma, you can continue your studies. ESA offers three main career pathways and four diploma levels: Bac +2, Bac +3, Bac +4, or Bac +5.

Agrotechnical Studies:

Professional Bachelor’s in Agronomy

Agrobusiness Studies:

Agrotechnical & Agrobusiness Studies:

What courses can you take at ESA with your degree?

Key figures

84%

success rate in 2025

97%

are satisfied with the training in 2025

42%*

will be in employment (six months after completing their training) in 2025

*Half of them are continuing their studies

Programme

60% of the time spent at the hosting organisation
40% of the time spent at ESA

Engaging with today’s world
Developing your personal and professional career path
Communicating in a variety of situations and contexts

Managing production within a farming system
Conducting experiments
Organising production activities
Designing a high-performance farming system
Supporting technical change

The Anjou region and its seed production.

Discover the full programme

Work-study programme

Typical schedule: 2 to 3 weeks in a company and 2 to 3 weeks at the CFA (Apprenticeship training centre in France).
Number of training hours: 700 hours per year, or 1,400 hours over 2 years.
Lectures, tutorials, case studies, company visits.
Numerous farms located near the ESA serve as teaching resources, facilitating the practical application of theoretical lessons (particularly for carrying out crop diagnostics).

The advantages of the work-study programme

Group study trips within France.
Support throughout the course from a teaching and administrative team.
Access to a web platform with resources (course materials, exercises, etc.) as well as communication tools and the ESA’s digital library (19,000 titles listed in a computerised catalogue, an e-book platform, ScholarVox, and access to databases).
Apprentices have access to our Language Resource Centre. This centre focuses on independent study and interaction to make language learning more engaging in a welcoming environment: various rooms such as reading rooms, individual rooms (games/DVDs), a creativity room with a theatre stage…
Each apprentice has a personalised digital learning booklet enabling them to track their progress and the acquisition of the skills required to validate the diploma.
We provide support in professional fields with personalised guidance. Our environment offers access to seminars and conferences, inaugural lectures, an international outlook, and the opportunity to participate in competitions and projects.
We have introduced a writing support programme to provide guidance and monitoring in expression and writing.

Graduation requirements

The Higher National Technical Diploma in Agronomy and Sustainable Crop Production

is accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Sovereignty.

The Higher National Technical Diploma is divided into semesters: the 27 skills in the curriculum, organised into 8 blocks, are assessed at the training centre through certification exams over the course of the 4 semesters of the programme.

Candidates therefore no longer sit national final examinations.

The requirements for obtaining the HND are as follows:

The marks for the 27 competencies are linked to the 8 skill blocks
The overall average for the 8 blocks must be at least 10/20
The average for the 5 professional blocks must be at least 10/20 The average mark obtained in each of the 5 professional blocks must be at least 6/20

Admissions

Admission process

Required level for admission to the Higher Technical Qualification

Create an account
Complete the application form and upload the required documents
Once completed submit your application form

You are an exchange student

If you are a student from a partner university you must be officially nominated by your university. Once you are nominated by your university you will receive a link to our online application form.

3 good reasons to choose the Higher Technical Qualification

01.

From theory to practice

Learn in the classroom and in the field, so that you can quickly feel at ease with agronomy and crop production.

02.

Basic management skills to get you started

to understand how a farm operates and make the best technical and economic decisions.

03.

Expanding into international markets

discover other ways of producing through the group stay.

Advantages of the Higher Technical Qualification

International outlook

To gain a better understanding of the world, enhance your CV and gain a unique personal experience, the HND in Agronomy and Sustainable Crop Production offers:

A one-week group trip in France.

You’ll discover local agriculture and supply chains

Les plus

Close and strong links with a network of businesses.
Employment or further study: bridges from bachelor’s to master’s level.
A support module for continuing your studies at ESA.
A student-centred education with personalised support and teaching methods rooted in real-world experience and focused on cultural openness.
A modern and attractive campus: the resources to learn and develop.
An international outlook: depending on your preferences, you can go abroad for an individual study trip or an internship.
Living and studying in Angers, a major university city and European plant science hub, at the heart of France’s leading agri-food region…
Gaining agricultural expertise.

Campus life

The ESA is a friendly place to live, open to the city and full of life!

Joining our school means:

to have a rewarding and life-changing experience that will shape your future
thrive through involvement in student societies (over 20 active societies, around a hundred committed students…)
to meet and share experiences in a multicultural environment
building a network…

Take a virtual tour of our school

Angers, an attractive city

Angers, the ‘capital of plants’ since the 19th century, a region with a ‘nature’ label… a new way to experience the city! The 18th largest city in France, at the heart of an urban area with over 300,000 inhabitants, including 47,000 students. A green and cultural city, Angers is a dynamic, ‘human-scale’ city renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and quality of life. It offers a unique living environment with landscapes listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Find out more about life in Angers

And after ?

An Alumni network

Take advantage of the services of the AAESA (ESA Alumni Association) from the moment you enroll and throughout your professional journey: directory, testimonials, company visits, sponsorship, mentoring, events, job opportunities…

The association is a true career booster, maintaining connections with the school and fostering links between students and professionals.

Join us!

BTS Agronomie et cultures durables (ex : BTS APV) formation ESA environnement

TUITION FESS AND FUNDING

Tuition fees

Training is free for apprentices or participants on a professionalization contract.

The annual cost of the program is €. 8 500. For companies established in France, the cost may be covered by an OPCO (French skills and apprenticeship funding body).

For an apprenticeship contract, the coverage level is specified by France Compétences or the OPCO (French skills and apprenticeship funding body)

If the training cost exceeds the OPCO coverage level, the remaining balance will be charged to the company
(remaining balance = training cost – OPCO coverage level).

It is necessary to consult your OPCO to determine the coverage level for the training.

A training agreement is established between Groupe ESA and the employer alongside the contract, specifying the qualification pursued, resources provided, training cost, and any remaining balance.

Student Union (BDE) membership fee: €20
Group trip (first year only): €400

*Price applicable for the 2026–2027 academic year, for information purposes only

Funding

Full-time programme

Income-based grant: use the grant calculator at simulateur.lescrous.fr
Grants and student accommodation: complete your Student Social File (DSE)
ESA is here to help – find all our advice on completing your DSE

Bank Loans

A student loan of up to €15,000 is guaranteed by the French government, with no income requirements.
A youth loan is available under the same financial conditions as the student loan, but repayment of the principal starts immediately (not after graduation).