FdSc + Foundation Year Agriculture*

The course

The Foundation Year Programme offers a route to undergraduate study: giving you the skills, confidence and resilience required to succeed in Higher Education. After successful completion of this year, you will be eligible to progress onto the first year of FdSc Agriculture. You will learn key skills and knowledge, both core and subject-specific, and how your chosen area of study fits into the challenges and opportunities of the modern global landscape. Through reflective approaches, you will develop and monitor your own personal learning journey.  

This programme will help you build on a foundation of skills and knowledge developed in the classroom and practical/vocational environment. This will enable you to undertake independent and collaborative tasks, supported by workshops, masterclasses (in person and online – delivered by internal and external experts) and targeted individual mentoring.     

Your Foundation Year involves varied assessments that develop your personal skillset and also that relate to the programme you will progress onto. You will be able to demonstrate your knowledge and skills through verbal, written, practical and collaborative tasks that will provide a broad underpinning for your ongoing academic journey.  

Entry requirements

Students require six passes (grade C / 4 or above) at GCSE level, including Maths, English Language and a science subject, or five passes (grade C / 4 or above) at GCSE level, including Maths, English Language and a science subject if they also hold some level 3 qualification(s). Additionally, students must be at least 17½ years of age at the time of registration. 

• For those wishing to progress to FdSc Agriculture, there are no additional entry requirements. 

• For those wishing to transfer to BSc (Hons) routes within the Agriculture suite of courses, they will need to achieve an average of 60% across the Foundation Year Programme. 

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

Eight specially selected modules in the first year will provide you with the academic and study skills you need to prepare for the rest of your higher education qualification. There are four entry routes to choose from, each of which, upon successful completion of the preparatory year, Year 0, will lead to a foundation or honours degree, depending on the percentage mark you pass with .

We have given examples of foundation or bachelor’s degrees you could consider, but as long as you meet the required percentage mark, the specific work experience needed, and have studied the relevant modules at Year 0, you will be considered for many of our courses (subject to course manager’s approval). You must pass all modules (earning 120 credits) to pass the first year.

* During the Covid-19 Pandemic the University is delivering blended learning. Government guidance is being constantly reviewed to establish the learning events which can be delivered face to face. Please refer to our frequently asked questions for further details.

Assessment

Assessment is via a balance of coursework and examination. Weighting is typically 50 percent course work and 50 percent exams, although certain modules, such as Academic Skills are 100 percent coursework assessed. Environmental Engineering Science and Mathematics Applications and Statistics are assessed 100 percent by examination.