“You’ll struggle to find a better combined social and rural educational experience anywhere else.”

Ryan Doble had almost already made up his mind to study at Harper Adams before he arrived at our open day – then speaking to the business degree lecturers sealed the deal!

“I wanted to study Agri-Business because I wanted to ensure that I had as many opportunities open to me, within the fields of agriculture and business as a graduate,” says the 22-year-old.

“I’m from a livestock farm in Mid-Devon, so I particularly enjoyed the livestock orientated modules, including Sustainable Livestock Production Systems and Animal Product Processing, as I could easily resonate with them.

“However, the module Management Consultancy Project was my favourite. In small groups we worked as ‘consultants’ for a real-life business and offered them practical solutions to their problems and recommendations for their business.”

Explaining his choice of university, Ryan said:  “Harper was always on my radar because of its reputation and high graduate employment rates, and when I got here and saw so many people from a background similar to my own, I had no doubts that Harper would provide me with the educational and social experiences I wanted.

“My course was really enjoyable, and that’s mostly down to the lecturers. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and they would explain things extremely well. Without their expertise, I doubt I would have graduated with a first-class honours degree!”

Ryan’s year-in-industry was with Straightline Beef, a large beef supply chain based in Somerset, and he says his placement year combined with his studies in Shropshire helped him secure his graduate job with Greenslade Taylor Hunt.

“The placement gears you up for work and introduces you to a professional environment while you’re still studying. Without this and the step-up the final year of my studies provided; I think I would have been less work-ready as I would never have experienced the requirements of working life.”

As for his personal University highlight, the former Harper Adams Football Club member said: “I don’t have one - I have three.”

“Firstly, the social side of the university. Harper is truly great at bringing people together whatever your interests through the clubs and societies. Then there’s the relief I felt handing in my Honours Research Project.

“And my proudest moment to date was finding out I was to graduate with a First.

 “Studying Agri-Business at Harper was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and if you have a passion for agriculture and want to understand the ins and outs of succeeding from a business perspective, the Agri-Business course at HAU should be your first port of call.”

We could not agree more with Ryan, so why not find out if this could be the right path for you too?