Higher National Technical Diploma in Technical Sales

Do you enjoy advising and persuading people? Are you passionate about products? To ensure their success, retail outlets rely on specialist sales representatives with a solid technical background, who act as key points of contact for an increasingly discerning consumer.

Technical sales representatives are unique in their ability to combine a thorough understanding of sales techniques with in-depth knowledge of product qualities. This profile is in demand across all sectors of agriculture, the agri-food industry and specialist retail.

Code RNCP 36003 I Code diplôme 32331203 (UNIVERS JARDIN ET ANIMAUX DE COMPAGNIE) - Code diplôme 32331205 (ALIMENTATION ET BOISSON) - Code diplôme 32331204 (BIENS, SERVICES POUR L'AGRICULTURE) - Code diplôme 32331202 (VINS, BIERES ET SPIRITUEUX) - Code diplôme 32331201 PRODUITS DE LA FILIERE FORET BOIS

Content updated on 4 September 2026

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

Content updated on 4 September 2026

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Content updated on 4 September 2026

Overview

Objectives

Applying a dual set of skills:
- Understanding manufacturing processes and technical expertise
- Understanding economic mechanisms and commercial expertise
Being able to conduct negotiations on both technical and commercial grounds through to the signing of the contract
Being able to identify potential clients or suppliers, taking into account product characteristics, commercial strategy and the company’s technical capabilities

Having a thorough understanding of both sales techniques and product qualities is what sets technical sales representatives apart. This is a sought-after profile across all sectors of agriculture, the agri-food industry and specialist retail.

Our training indicators

Full-time programme

Three career options available on the full-time student programme:

Gardening and pets : The course covers knowledge of plants, pets and gardening products, whilst also addressing the commercial management of retail departments and changes in regulations.
Wines, beers and spirits : Become an expert in the commercial development of alcoholic beverages and promote local expertise through traditional, modern and digital channels.
Food and Drink : Thanks to their detailed knowledge of food and hygiene standards, technical sales representatives are best placed to address consumers’ agri-health concerns and advise them.

To broaden your horizons, ESA offers you the chance to spend one semester abroad and the option to take an additional Project courses:

‘Business Management’: managing a business whilst taking into account its economic parameters and competitive environment.

Work-study Programme

Three professional options available:

Gardening and Pets : The course covers knowledge of plants, pets and gardening products, whilst also addressing the commercial management of retail departments and changes in regulations
Agricultural goods and services : You will acquire the technical knowledge – agronomy, animal husbandry, plant science, equipment, etc. – required to provide the best possible advice to farmers and customers at agricultural retail outlets.
Forestry and timber products (starting in the 2027 academic year, subject to approval of the accreditation application by the DRAAF) : This course trains technical and commercial managers capable of mastering the markets for forestry and timber products, as well as methods for harvesting forest products.

As part of your apprenticeship, you will be required to carry out an innovative business project:

Develop an understanding of the products, drawing on your professional experience
Help define the company’s action plan and implement the business strategy within the context of purchasing or sales activities
Lead a team and organise an activity
Communicate both internally and externally.
To broaden your horizons, ESA also offers a week-long specialisation course in the wine sector. The aim is to enable future technicians to understand the dynamics and challenges of the industry.

Further studies

After completing a HND in Technical Sales, you can continue your studies. ESA offers three main career pathways and four levels of diplomas (two-year, three-year, four-year or five-year degrees):

Agribusiness studies:

Agrotechnical & Agribusiness studies:

What courses can you take at ESA with your degree?

Key figures

96%

success rate in 2025

93%

are satisfied with the training in 2025

20%*

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

Programme

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

Managing a physical or online retail space
Optimising information management for technical and commercial processes
Managing a sales team
Developing a sales strategy
Managing customer or supplier relations

Full-time programme

80% of the time spent at ESA
20% of the time on an internship

Depending on your career plans, you can choose between the standard HND option or the international option.

Choosing the international option means you benefit from:

Additional English lessons (including the TOEIC exam)

A three-month work placement/internship in an English-speaking country within a company

Extra hours of business English.

Since 2012, ESA has been the only institution in the Pays de la Loire region to offer the Technical Sales HND over four semesters. The semester-based system allows students to earn ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits and provides the opportunity to spend a semester at a European university: Erasmus mobility.

Gardening and pets
Food and drink
Wines, beers and spirits

Choose 2 EILs to develop your personal and professional project:

‘Business Management’: managing a business whilst taking into account its economic factors and competitive environment.
‘Art-house cinema’

Work-study programme

60% of the time on an internship
40% of the time studying at ESA.

Garden and Pet Specialisation : The course covers knowledge of plants, pets and garden-related products, whilst also addressing the commercial management of retail departments and changes in regulations.

Forestry/Timber Products Option : This course trains technical sales managers capable of mastering the markets for forestry and timber products, as well as methods for harvesting forest products.

Agricultural Goods and Services Option : You will acquire the technical knowledge – in agronomy, animal husbandry, plant science, equipment and more – necessary to provide the best possible advice to farmers and customers at agricultural retail outlets.

Designed to help you develop your personal and professional career path:

The dynamics of the wine industry: enabling future technicians to understand the dynamics and challenges of the sector.

Typical schedule: 2 to 3 weeks in the workplace 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.
Carrying out an innovative commercial project within the apprenticeship company
To broaden your horizons, ESA also offers a week-long awareness and discovery programme in the wine sector. The aim is to enable a future Technical Sales Representative to understand the dynamics and challenges of the industry.

Key advantages

Group study trip abroad
Intensive English language tuition (TOEIC exam)
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, e-book platform, ScholarVox, and access to databases).
Trainees have access to our Language Resource Centre. This centre focuses on self-directed learning 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 online learning booklet enabling them to track their progress and the acquisition of the skills required for qualification.
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 take part in competitions and projects.
We have introduced a writing support programme to provide guidance and monitoring in expression and composition.

Graduation requirements

The HND in Technical Sales is awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food Sovereignty.

The HND is delivered on a semester basis: the 27 competencies 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 exams.

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

60% of the course is assessed through formative assessments (CCF) over the course of the two years.
The remaining 40% is assessed in final examinations, comprising one written and two oral exams.

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.

Dual expertise

sales expertise and skills in management and marketing.

02.

An expansion into international markets

group stays, language and cultural immersion programmes, or work placements.

03.

To be equally familiar with sales techniques and product qualities

that is what sets technical sales representatives apart

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

For apprentices:

Group trip to France or Europe – one week

You’ll set off as a group to explore France or another European country: to the Netherlands to visit its famous Veiling auction market, to Italy to meet renowned nursery growers in Pistoia, or to Spain to discover the world of succulents and agricultural holdings.

For students:

Language and cultural immersion trip – one week in England.

Professional mobility

8 weeks in a French or international company.
2 weeks in a company to discover its technical environment.
A minimum of 4 weeks abroad.

Academic mobility

Option of a semester of study in Europe (scholarship available: Erasmus+).

Placement in a host company supported and approved by the ESA’s International Office.

Key advantages

Semester-based system (full-time programme): opportunity for a one- week study visit to a European university.
Enhanced English language tuition (TOEIC exam)
Close and strong links with a network of businesses at regional, national and international level.
Employment or further study: pathways to ESA from bachelor’s to master’s level.
Full-time or work-study: choose the pace of your higher education depending on the BTS programme.
A student-centred education with personalised support and teaching methods linked to the real world 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 on a group trip (work-study programme), an individual stay or an internship (full-time student programme).
Live and study in Angers, a major university city and European plant science hub, at the heart of France’s leading agri-food region…
Acquire agricultural skills.

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 Technico-commercial (TC) formation ESA commerce gestion conseiller vente

TUITION FEES AND FUNDING

Tuition fees

Full-time programme

Tuition fees* are €2,278 per year.

Additional fees:

Student Union (BDE) membership fee: €30
Workplace accident insurance: €81
Campus Services: €100
Additional fees for the English-taught programme: €345

Work-study Programme

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

The annual cost of the program is €.9.000. 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.

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.

Additional fees:

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).