BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management

The course

Study at the forefront of crop management with this industry recognised programme, informed by the latest research, extensive agri-sector networks and expert staff.

Efficient crop production remains key to sustained and effective use of rural resources. However, over recent years crop management systems have undergone considerable change. The emphasis has shifted away from purely commercial objectives to sustainable production systems, and modern crop managers must increasingly justify inputs and assess the impact of their activities on the environment. These new demands are challenging and complex and require highly skilled and knowledgeable individuals to manage them successfully.

After a common first year, in your second year you will start to specialise in crop science and agronomy, studying areas such as soil management and crop nutrition, crop protection, crop physiology and fresh produce production, whilst continuing to study more general aspects of agriculture, such as grass and forage production, waste management and farm business management and economics.

In the final part of the course, your specialisation becomes complete and the focus is on crop management, studying areas such as sustainable crop production, advances in agronomy, crop breeding, post-harvest technology and a research project focused on crop management.

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.
• Our far-reaching academic and industry experience and active involvement in applied crop 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, uninterrupted access to real, commercial arable systems, alongside other farm enterprises, and agricultural engineering facilities.
• FACTS & BASIS Training: Subject to academic performance in specific modules and undertaking an appropriate placement, you will be eligible to undertake the Harper Adams FACTS & BASIS training courses free of charge following successful completion of this degree.
• 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.
• 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.

FACTS and BASIS training

Subject to academic performance, students passing this degree will be eligible to be entered for free FACTS and BASIS 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.

Find out more about work experience

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

The applied nature of the course and practical experience gained during the placement period will give you skills the industry needs. You could choose from a variety of careers, working for a multi-national company or small rural business as an agronomist, technical representative or trainee arable farm manager, amongst others.

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, telephone the admissions team on 01952 815000, email admissions@harper-adams.ac.uk or complete a form to enable them to contact you.

Course fees

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

Teaching and learning

What you study

All agriculture students share a common first year, studying the same modules; this allows students to change course during the first year.

The first year of the course provides a general introduction to agriculture in terms animal and crop production, underpinning biological and environmental science, an introduction to farm business management and marketing, and agricultural mechanisation. In the second year of the course you start to specialise in the area of agronomy and crop management, studying areas such as soil management and crop nutrition, crop protection, crop physiology and fresh produce production, whilst continuing to study more general aspects of agriculture such as grass and forage production, waste management, and farm business management and economics. In the final part of the course your specialisation becomes complete and the focus is on crop management, studying areas such as sustainable crop production, advances in agronomy, crop breeding, post-harvest technology and a research project focused on crop management.

Teaching and learning

The course involves 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

In your third year you will enjoy at least 12 months of paid employment in a sector of agriculture or the ancillary industries, depending on your individual interests and skills. Placements may involve working for large integrated arable or fresh produce businesses, a crop processor, packer and distributor, or as a field trials officer for one of the major crop protection companies. Recent placement employers include G’s Fresh, Syngenta, UPL, KWS, and BASF.

You will usually undertake paid employment for at least 12 months. 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. 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.