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Course overview

Agriculture has a vital role to play in global food production and security, climate change mitigation, environmental protection, water management and renewable energy creation. 

Our Agriculture with Crop Production Science students are taught by lecturers with extensive industry and research experience to develop sustainable crop production systems integrating appropriate technologies to maximise economic, social and environmental security. You will be studying in a diverse range of learning spaces located at the heart of our University Farm alongside students from a wide range of rural and urban backgrounds, whilst establishing a life-long network of friends and professional contacts. 

You will soon be putting your learning into practice engaging with real-world scenarios and projects from day one. Supported by an integrated placement year in industry, you will be ready for your future career having developed a range of personal, technical and professional skills that today’s employers value. You will be well prepared for farm-based employment as cropping enterprise and farm managers; and commercial and technical positions in the crop protection, crop nutrition, and fresh produce sectors. Additionally, your degree will equip you with the skills to continue in research or education.

What will I learn?

On successful completion of the BSc/BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Production Science award, students will be able to: 

• Explain the biological processes that underpin sustainable agricultural production systems.
• Evaluate the impact of agricultural production systems on the environment, the rural economy and wider society.
• Develop and manage sustainable agricultural production systems that can be adapted to address specific social, economic and environmental challenges.
• Identify relevant technologies and apply them within agricultural production systems.
• Identify relevant policy and legislation and apply it within agricultural production systems.
• Explain the relationship between the farming business and the agri-food supply chain.
• Evaluate the influence of global issues on agricultural production systems.
• Develop an evidence-based approach to communicate effectively and sensitively on agricultural issues with diverse groups. 

Teaching and learning

• Key principles will be taught in lectures by subject specialists and visiting speakers.
• Small workshops and seminars, lab and farm-based practical sessions will be used to apply the principles from the classroom in a practical context.
• Student engagement and learning experience will be improved through using a variety of learning spaces.
• Directed study will be used to develop life-long learning skills.

Assessment methods

We will assess students' progress using a blend of different methods such as individual and group presentations, technical writing, data handling and analysis, personal development planning and time-constrained assessments.  The diverse assessment journey will give students an equitable chance to succeed and develop skills for employment and life-long learning. 

Work placement

In your third year you will enjoy at least 12 months of paid employment in a sector of agriculture or the ancillary industries, depending on your individual interests and skills. Placements may involve working for large integrated arable or fresh produce businesses, a crop processor, packer and distributor, or as a field trials officer for one of the major crop protection companies. Recent placement employers include G’s Fresh, Syngenta, UPL, KWS, and BASF.

You will usually undertake paid employment for at least 12 months. Agriculture students wishing to undertake a farm placement are required to work at least 50 miles away from home and are not normally permitted to return to previous employers. Students also have the opportunity to access a range of overseas placements, with the support of supporting agents, where possible. Students may undertake placement in the USA,  Australia or New Zealand, for example. Several commercial scholarship opportunities, linked to placement, are available to apply for, with sponsoring companies paying a significant amount towards the tuition fees of successful applicants.

Careers

The applied nature of the course and practical experience gained during the placement period will give you skills the industry needs. You could choose from a variety of careers, working for a multi-national company or small rural business as an agronomist, technical representative or trainee arable farm manager, amongst others.