Fresh opportunities to study in Australia and New Zealand unveiled

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The Ivey Building at Lincoln University, New Zealand with blossom outside - lower image is Wagga Wagga, Australia

Fresh opportunities for Harper Adams University students to study abroad have been unveiled – on campuses in both Australia and New Zealand.

The announcement comes after the University secured further funding from the Turing Scheme – the Government’s flagship funding mechanism to help UK registered students study abroad.

Following a successful trip to Charles Sturt University in Australia in the spring, the University will be offering five places to study there again next year – as well as five further places to study at Lincoln University, New Zealand – which has just signed an agreement with Harper Adams launching a strategic international partnership.

Students on the Charles Sturt programme will be studying at the University’s Wagga Wagga campus, while those studying at Lincoln will be based at the University’s campus near Christchurch on the South Island.

Dr Mitch Crook, who will be administering the program, said: “The visit is open to both current second years who are not on placement, final year undergraduates and all postgraduate students, and all participants will take part in lectures and field visits.   The study abroad will be for four weeks, and is currently likely to commence either in the final week of spring term or the first week of the Easter break - and as such is designed to be accessible and yet minimise impact on participants’ study of their course.

“We’re aiming to tailor the specific programmes of study to each student’s interests as much as possible – though an interest rural land use is essential.

“All successful students will be awarded around a contribution toward their living costs of up to £650, and those that meet further funding criteria will be awarded up to £1350 towards travel costs. 

“All eligible students are encouraged to apply!”

Students who made the inaugural trip to Australia this year have spoken warmly of their time abroad.

Food Business Management student Jess Vickers said: “The trip allowed me to experience a different university, broaden my understanding of global agriculture and develop practical skills that I would not normally encounter within my degree at Harper Adams.

“The experience also helped me grow in confidence, independence and adaptability, whilst creating friendships and memories for life.”

Agriculture with Farm Business Management student Megan Stevens said the programme was excellent – and that she would strongly recommend it.

She added: “This trip has been the most impactful period of my degree.

“It exposed me to agricultural systems and approaches, feedlot finishing, commercial IVF, large-scale processing, renewable campus design that classroom learning alone could not have conveyed.

“Culturally, it built genuine independence and confidence in navigating unfamiliar environments.

“Professionally, the connections made through dinners, farm visits, and social evenings have already shaped how I think about my career and the industry I want to work in.

“I return to Harper Adams not just with new knowledge, but with a clearer and more ambitious sense of what I am capable of as an agricultural professional.”

Veterinary Nursing student Shaznay Creary – who was in her final year when she made the trip and has since graduated from Harper Adams – said: “My experience has strengthened my independence, resilience and intercultural competence by challenging me academically, culturally and personally.

“The exposure to the higher education environment internationally has helped me refine my career aspirations – and I will continue to carry the lessons learnt throughout my life.”

Veterinary Bioscience student Kachina Linwood encouraged people who might be nervous about putting themselves forward to overcome their doubts.

She said: “As a student who felt that applying to experiences of this nature was daunting myself, I fully encourage students to apply no matter what background you come from.

“It will do more good to you to apply, knowing that you tried, than having the regretful feeling later of the ‘what ifs?’

“Give yourself that chance of unlocking new experiences to step outside your comfort zone. At the end of the day, you get more benefits in trying than leaving it as a regret.

“Don't live life with regrets!”

For now, all interested students need to do is send an expression of interest by completing this form  before 5pm on November 9 this year. 

Only expressions received from a Harper Adams University e-mail account will be considered. Applicants should indicate if they wish to be considered for Charles Sturt or Lincoln Universities – or, if they wish to be considered for both, which institution they would prefer to study at.

Eligible students will then receive details of the formal application process and will then have until 9am on November 23 to apply.