BSc (Hons) Sustainable Agriculture

This programme has been informed by the significant changes in the UK agricultural industry both post-Brexit and in the context of climate change as well as global challenges in sustainability, food security and natural resource management. It aims to equip students with the critical skills and knowledge to develop and manage agri-food businesses both in the UK and internationally.

This undergraduate course will run over two calendar years as an accelerated degree, getting you into employment faster and reducing the time to qualify and tutition costs. The programme will draw on developing theories of sustainable and regenerative agriculture incorporating a practical focus where employability, communication, entrepreneurial problem-solving skills and management expertise will be key outcomes. The Government’s clear policy direction towards a low carbon environmentally sustainable economy will demand new and adaptive skills, which are not readily available in traditional course structures.

The programme aims to:

1. Develop a thorough knowledge and practical understanding of current agricultural management techniques and principles and be able to evaluate and apply these appropriately.
2. Investigate and evaluate new and adaptive skills, competencies emerging in the agricultural and land management environments, with particular reference to changing society and policy pressures.
3. Communicate accurately, confidently, and appropriately to a variety of audiences using a range of formats and employing appropriate technical language
4. Identify and work towards personal, academic and career targets including the development of appropriate agricultural management skills

Year 1

Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

• Agronomy & Cropping Systems (15 credits)
• Introduction to Livestock Science and Production (15 credits)
• Introduction to the Rural Economy (15 credits)
• Nutrients and Water (15 credits)
• Principles of Machinery (15 credits)
• Waste Management, Recycling and Energy (15 credits)
• Integrated Crop Production (15 credits)
• Livestock Production (15 credits)
• Agricultural Mechanisation and Technology (15 credits)
• Sustainable Soil Management (15 credits)
• Introduction to GIS (15 credits)
• Ecology, Biodiversity and Natural Resources (15 credits)

Year 2

Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.

• Sustainable Business Management (15 credits)
• Sustainable Farming Communities (15 credits)
• Sustainable Horticultural Technologies (15 credits)
• Advanced Global Livestock and Forage Systems (15 credits)
• Agricultural Business Planning (15 credits)
• Computers in Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
• Emerging technologies and precision cropping systems (15 credits)
• Farming across scales for food security (15 credits)
• Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change (15 credits)
• Research Methods and Statistics (15 credits)
• Honours Project (30 credits)

We consider a wide range of Level 3 qualifications with UCAS Tariff points, specifically:

• A Level: three subjects (BCC)
• BTEC National: Extended Diploma (DMM)
• International Baccalaureate: 26 Points overall
• Access to HE in Chemistry and/or Biology: 104 Points

We also consider alternative qualifications at Level 3, such as OCR Cambridge Technical, AQA Tech-Level, and a range of international qualifications at Level 3 equivalent.

We also consider applicants with relevant industrial experience if over 21 years of age.

We expect a minimum of five GCSEs, including Mathematics and English at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the A*-G system).

Students with English as a second language will be required to have gained IELTS at 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing.