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    Upsurge in demand for agriculture courses

    Posted 8 June 2006

    Agriculture at Harper Adams The latest indication from Harper Adams University College is that the demand for agriculture and land based studies is on the increase.

    The University College reports an 18 per cent increase in the level of applications to Agriculture courses compared with the same time twelve months ago.

    Richard Jopling, Head of Harper Adams’ Recruitment comments on the significance of this upsurge in interest.

    “Everybody has been making gloomy predictions about recruitment in 2006, particularly in the light of problems within the agricultural industry and the new fee arrangements, which are due for September 2006, but everything here at Harper Adams points to our best year for recruitment ever.”

    Mr Jopling goes on to add “We can all take some much needed encouragement from these figures as they mean that there is a strong demand from able young people to become qualified at the highest level and to commit to the future of the UK countryside.” 

    The indications are that this is no flash in the pan but presages a sustained improvement that could have wide and significant implications for the long-term well being of the UK farming and land-based industries.

    Harper Adams also reports on strong recruitment to the annual conference for younger students, known as ‘Higher Education Choices’ (HEC).

    The two day residential conference normally attracts about 200 16 to 18 year olds who come to find out about degree courses in the rural and land-based industries. But this year the registrations are running ahead of any other year and nearly 200 students are already booked in with a month left to go before the conference starts on Monday July 10.

    Sally Bishop, HEC’s administrator, is thrilled with the level of interest: “The phones never stop ringing with parents and students anxious to know if they can still book a place.

    “I have never known a year quite like it and the message really does seem to be getting to people that in order to make a proper selection of the right course you really do need to consider all your options and get sound advice at an early age.”

    Harper Adams is ready to meet the demand this September and will be opening a new residential block which will add 150 self catering rooms to the university college’s expanding facilities an estate.

    For more information and an application pack for HEC, please ring 01952 815265, or e-mail or log on to the website at .

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