BSc (Hons) Agriculture

The course

Become the type of farm manager the sector needs through this far-reaching, industry recognised programme, informed by the latest research, extensive agri-sector networks and expert staff.

We will support you as you develop the skills needed to manage an increasingly diversified business and embrace a range of responsibilities for enhancing the environment, integrating production within the food chain and maintaining rural communities.

Students studying general Agriculture study a broad range of livestock, crop production and science, and business management modules, together with some marketing and mechanisation. In the first part of the course the focus is on practice on farm with areas of study including animal and crop production systems, bioscience and environmental science for agriculture, an Introduction to farm business management and marketing and agricultural mechanisation.

The later parts of the course focus on the applied scientific and business principles that underpin farm practice and the application of practice and principles to case studies to solve real problems. Areas of study include farm animal production science and nutrition, farm animal health and welfare, soil management and crop nutrition, farm business management and economics, business development, people management and sustainable animal and crop production systems. All students undertake an Honours Research Project in their final year in a subject area of interest to them.

The Harper Advantage

• In choosing Harper Adams, you are choosing a trusted name with an outstanding reputation in the agricultural sector, a large agricultural student cohort that allows you to build your network from day one, plus extensive industry connections to support your career development.
• A full placement year in industry as part of your degree, enabling you to put knowledge into practice, develop your network and discover your future ambitions.
• More than 20 placement-scholarships open to students on Agriculture routes – offering guaranteed placement year job and additional financial support, plus a range of non-placement scholarships.
• Our far-reaching academic and industry experience and active involvement in applied agricultural research and delivery of professional training to industry, ensures the course is vocationally relevant and up to date.
• 494-hectare farm on the campus – so you will have direct, access to a commercial farm and agricultural engineering facilities.
• FACTS Training: Subject to academic performance in specific modules and undertaking an appropriate placement, you will be eligible to undertake the Harper Adams FACTS training course free of charge following successful completion of this degree.
• Access to subsidised practical skills training and industry recognised certification through the Land Based Skills Programme.
• Study at the forefront of agri-tech. Harper Adams is home to the School of Sustainable Food and Farming, Hands Free Farm and the Agri-EPI Centre Midlands Innovation Hub where industry and practitioner are working together on the latest precision arable and livestock systems. Scope for student projects related to agri-tech grows every year.
• Common first year means you can change direction in year 1 if you wish.
• Access to Agriculture Programme to enable new entrants to the agricultural sector to qualify alongside those from more rural/agricultural backgrounds without disadvantage.
• Harper Adams students have won the British Farming Awards Agricultural Student of the Year title six times in the last eight years (and have been runner-up in the other two years). In the Farmers Weekly Student of the Year Awards, Harper has been ramping up its success, with winners in 2017 and again in 2020 – from an all-Harper final.

FACTS training

Subject to academic performance, students passing the BSc (Hons) Agriculture programme will be eligible to be entered for free FACTS training following successful completion of their degree.

Work experience

Work experience forms an essential part of our entry requirements for this course. Details of the experience we need you to have can be found within the entry requirements listed below.

Access to Agriculture Programme

Applicants to Agriculture courses who are likely to meet the academic entry requirements, but who are identified as having minimal/no practical experience, and/or who are unlikely to meet the minimum practical experience requirements due to non-farm/non-rural background, and/or lack of appropriate contacts, can benefit from the Access to Agriculture Programme to gain the necessary practical experience in their first year of study.

Duration

4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement. A three year programme is available for applicants with at least two years, full-time relevant work experience, or all who have completed a 12 month placement as part of another approved course. Please contact Admissions for further information on this option.

Careers

Employability of agriculture graduates is excellent, and there are many diverse career opportunities in all sectors of the food chain. The applied nature of our courses, teaching methods and close links with industry give you the academic, technical and employment skills which are highly sought after by employers.

As an agriculture graduate you may go on to manage farms either at home or elsewhere, for example with Velcourt, Sentry Farming, Dyson Farming, or G’s Fresh.

Alternatively, you may opt for a career in the support industries: example employers include Frontier Agriculture, NFU, Savills; or advisory services such as DEFRA and ADAS.

Studying agriculture also develops the skills needed for other graduate careers such as accountancy, teaching, journalism or the civil service.

Entry requirements for 2023

Use the drop-down tool to select the qualifications you have or are working towards to see what grades would be required for access to this programme. If you can’t see your qualification or would like any assistance with entry requirements, please contact the Admissions team: admissions@harper-adams.ac.uk

Course fees

The latest fees for this course can be found in our fees and funding section. You will also find course related costs, specific to this course in this area.

Teaching and learning

What you study

Students studying general Agriculture study a broad range of livestock, crop production and science, and business management, together with some marketing and mechanisation. In the first part of the course the focus is on practice i.e. what goes on on-farm, and basic biological and environmental science. Areas of study include animal and crop production systems, bioscience and environmental science for agriculture, an introduction to farm business management and marketing, and agricultural mechanisation.

The later parts of the course focus on the applied scientific and business principles that underpin farm practice, and the application of practice and principles to case studies to solve real problems. Areas of study include farm animal production science and nutrition, farm animal health and welfare, soil management and crop nutrition, crop protection, farm business management and economics, business development, people management, and sustainable animal and crop production systems. All students undertake a research or professional project in their final year in a subject area of interest to them.

Teaching and learning

The Agriculture courses at Harper Adams involve a combination of lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions, together with practical classes on the University farm designed to demonstrate principles in practice and the application of scientific, technological and business principles to commercial agricultural and food production.  In addition, the university has extensive links with other agricultural and food related businesses, and external visits and outside speakers are integrated into the programme where appropriate.  Throughout the course students are expected to apply the skills acquired to solve real-life problems, such that on completion they are able to demonstrate both academic ability and commercial application, which is a combination highly valued by employers. The proportion of independent study increases as the course progresses, particularly in the final year where students have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation in a subject area of their choice.

Assessment methods

Assessment is via a balance of course work and examination. Weighting varies depending on course and year of study, but weighting is typically around 65 per cent on course work and 35 per cent on examination; this allows individuals to play to their strengths if they are better at course work than examinations or vice versa.  Types of assignment include appraising production systems on the University farm, whole farm case studies, laboratory based analyses and literature based reviews. Format of assignments varies and includes written reports, essays, technical notes, presentations and oral examinations.  Students receive written feedback on all course work to help them improve.  In addition, first year students undertake examinations in two subjects at the end of the first term to enable them to gauge how they are progressing and feedback is provided on these exams.  Staff are able to provide advice and guidance on revision, and many modules include revision sessions. 

Work placement

BSc (Hons) students undertake placement in their third year. You will have a dedicated Placement Manager, support officer, and tutor to visit you whilst on placement.  You will usually undertake paid employment for at least 12 months on modern progressive farms or in the agricultural support industries. Agriculture students wishing to undertake a farm placement are required to work at least 50 miles away from home and are not normally permitted to return to previous employers. Recent placement jobs have included Assistant Herds Person, Harvest Team Manager and General Machinery Operator on a range of arable and mixed farms. Examples of employers include Velcourt, Dyson Farming and Avara. Students also have the opportunity to access a range of overseas placements, with the support of supporting agents, where possible. Students may undertake placement in the USA,  Australia or New Zealand, for example. Several commercial scholarship opportunities, linked to placement, are available to apply for, with sponsoring companies paying a significant amount towards the tuition fees of successful applicants.