Employability statement

The curriculum at Harper Adams University is based on very close links with the professions, industries and communities concerned with the rural economies and the food chain. The campus is at the heart of a working farm and countryside estate, with high quality companion animal, food and engineering facilities also on site. This enables academic staff to develop students' technical and practical skills, which underpin the applied and professional nature of our courses.

Aim 1: To ensure that higher level skills are embedded in the curriculum

Our Foundation Degree programmes include applied skills modules, while students on Honours Degree programmes are able to access a range of skills based courses, at a discounted rate, through our Land Based Skills programme. All undergraduate programmes develop the skills required for success in the world of work, specifically communication, information technology, numeracy and data analysis, personal and career management, team-working, problem solving and independent research. Moreover, all students undertake a final year project, centred on real world challenges and often sponsored by companies.

Aim 2: To provide career guidance, information and support

The Careers Service at Harper Adams University provides support to students seeking employment guidance prior to, during and after their course of study. In particular, the Careers Adviser is available to meet with students on a one-to-one basis and in group sessions to develop career planning, to practice interview skills and to prepare CVs. A Careers Fair is held in the autumn each year, attended by key employers associated with the rural economies and food chain, while other employers visit the University to make presentations to students. The Careers Service has also developed a web based vacancies service, with hundreds of vacancies posted each year by employers, to further support career opportunities for students studying in the land-based sector.

Aim 3: To provide opportunities for work related learning

All our undergraduate courses incorporate a one year sandwich placement and we work with approximately 700 sandwich placement employers. A Placement Co-ordinator, two Placement Officers and a team of Placement Managers are available to assist students in securing an appropriate placement and to support them during their period of sandwich employment.

Aim 4: To facilitate professional accreditation

Approximately 46% of our undergraduate students are registered on courses that are accredited by professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the Institution of Agricultural Engineers and the Chartered Management Institute. Employers participate in the review and approval of undergraduate programmes and a team of professional advisers also provide an employers' perspective on the curriculum.