BSc (Hons) Agriculture

Course information

Agriculture is at a time of change, with severe challenges, including reduced and changed support funding, climate change, rising food quality demands and an expectation to enhance the environment. The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU) has highlighted the importance of the effects of global economics and agricultural and food policy on the sustainability of agricultural production systems in the UK and overseas. Indeed, agriculture is feeling these effects more than any other sector of the economy, due to the dependence of many agricultural businesses on EU-sourced labour, exports to the EU and EU support payments. Typically support payments across many agricultural enterprises have been greater than net farm income (profit), particularly in the grazing livestock sector, which predominates in the southwest.

There is, however, opportunity for future-proofing the industry, possible through application of science and technology to overcome threats and achieve sustainable systems exploiting potential markets. There are the tools available to assist those entering the sector whether as managers, advisors, or applied scientists, as the digital agricultural revolution takes place. This BSc (Hons) Agriculture provision is designed to turn the challenges facing the industry into opportunities through the provision of these tools to our graduates.

As a recognised centre of agricultural knowledge exchange excellence, Duchy College’s Rural Business School (RBS), is closely engaged with the industries, professions and organisations involved in the global agri-food chain and the UK rural economy. Along with the Future Farm dairy research facility, there is therefore the capacity to support the development of students’ skills to play a key role in regional and national agricultural production systems.

There is a demand from both the farming and the ancillary sectors including animal nutrition, agronomy, farm consultancies and research and development organisations for a unique type of graduate with excellent knowledge of underlying economic principles and policy, along with a high level of understanding of science and the ability to critically evaluate and apply new technologies to a sector, which is lagging others in the uptake of technology. This Agriculture programme enables students to gain the skills and knowledge to facilitate food production and so meet the demands of employers in the sector.

What You Will Learn

Indicative Modules Year 1:

Agriculture Technology
Contemporary issues in Food & Farming
Honours project for Agriculture
Managing Animal Performance
Sustainable Grassland & Forage Production Systems

Entry Requirements

240 credits with 120 at level 5 from a relevant Foundation Degree, HND, or equivalent in an appropriate subject. All qualifications and subject grades will be considered on an individual basis. Mature applicants with relevant experience but without the stated qualifications will be considered individually and are encouraged to apply.

All applicants will be required to demonstrate the necessary motivation, potential, experience and/or knowledge at interview.

Students progressing from Level 3 (e.g. A levels or BTEC) need to apply for and complete the FdSc Agriculture course first.

Work Experience

On-site content concentrated into two days per week. Allows students to work and/or gain industry experience at the same time.

Assessment

The modes of assessment are varied to enable students to develop new skills and enhance old ones and include essays, scientific reports, presentations, debate, reflective journals and exams.

Progression

Possible Progression:

MSc/PhD
Possible Careers:

Agricultural consultant
Agricultural journalist
Agricultural knowledge exchange specialist
Agricultural lecturer
Agricultural scientist
Agriculture-related financial manager
Agritech specialist
Animal nutritionist
Animal scientist
Crop scientist
Farm manager
Livestock breeding specialist
Technical adviser

Duchy College Stoke Climsland

Duchy College Stoke Climsland

Set on stunning rolling hillsides, our campus epitomises the very best of land-based education. The recent addition of the £4 million Future Farm research facility means students and businesses are at the heart of the next evolution of environmental farming. Whether it’s a love of horses, sport, protective services, heavy machinery or animal care, nobody forgets their time at Duchy College Stoke Climsland. It’s time to secure your #careercollege experience.

Find out more about our Stoke Climsland campus

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Open Event

Duchy College Stoke Climsland

Open Event at Duchy College Stoke Climsland

• 25 Jan 25
• 23 Apr 25