Agriculture (with integrated year in industry)

Modern agriculture is faced with the task of feeding an increasing global population against a backdrop of dwindling resources, the need to protect the environment, and the need to cope with, and mitigate against, climate change. At the same time, agriculture faces new priorities closer to home as the UK redefines its relationship with Europe. The BSc Agriculture degree with integrated year in industry at Aberystwyth University will equip you to tackle these challenges covering all aspects of agriculture and agricultural production systems, and developing a detailed understanding of the changing farming landscape. Your industrial year will equip you with additional insight, knowledge and practical experience of working in the modern agricultural sector, which will give you a competitive edge in the jobs market on graduation.

BSc Agriculture with integrated year in industry offers you detailed coverage of agriculture and agricultural production systems, alongside a range of vitally important subjects such as sustainability, environmental management and technology. It will provide you with the practical and theoretical understanding needed to manage a sustainable business, and will be ready to adopt best practices, informed by current research, to tackle the challenges of livestock and crop management and get the best from your agricultural business.

The taught component of the Agriculture with integrated year in industry course (D401) is identical to its three-year sister course BSc Agriculture (H21Y). The year in industry is taken in your third year, is supervised and assessed, and will count towards your degree grade. During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee.

You will study a fascinating blend of science, technology and management with a firm grounding in animal and crop physiology and husbandry as well as business, economics and land use. You will move on to cover current and projected production systems from a production, financial and environmental perspective, be exposed to best practice and become familiar with the most current research.

You will also become familiar with the role of the Farm Business Survey in comparative analysis and benchmarking - a tool which will be invaluable in your future employment situation, allowing you to compare your farm’s performance and profitability to other farms in the UK and EU.

Aberystwyth is surrounded by a great diversity of farmland and agricultural terrain. The 800 hectare commercially managed university farms provide the setting for your practical learning. This is supplemented by field visits to farms and agricultural and food businesses that are industry leaders in innovation and technical expertise, which will reinforce your academic learning.

Your BSc in Agriculture with integrated year in industry opens up a range of exciting opportunities for employment and further training. You will be a strong candidate for work as an agricultural consultant, farm manager, agronomist and animal nutritionist, and a wide range of roles in the ancillary industries and with government and local authorities. Throughout your training you will develop a wealth of skills that can be easily transferred into almost any graduate or professional employment situation.