Agriculture (Including Foundation Year)

This introductory year will get you ready for level 4 study within the agricultural industry and is ideal for career changers, applicants who are just getting started in the agricultural sector or if applicants do not meet the entry requirements for the FdSc programme.

The course will provide learners with underpinning knowledge of livestock husbandry, environmental conservation, and business. There will be an emphasis on the development of communication, academic writing and teamworking skills, and practical skills such nutrition formulation and welfare assessment. Work placement forms an essential part of the course allowing on the job training and development of further skills to make students more employable. University Centre Askham Bryan has access to the 238-hectare Home Farm, which houses a milking herd of 200 cows, which are milked through a rapid exit parlour and a DeLaval Robot, a state-of-the-art high welfare precision beef facility in which students will actively participate in the use of the latest precision-livestock equipment, research, and industry engagement and a commercial flock of 200 breeding ewes.

Crops grown on the grade 2 arable land, include wheat, sugar beet and maize, using the latest precision field technology and variable rate application techniques and software to maximise arable returns and the production of high-quality forage to improve the performance and returns of the dairy and livestock enterprises. The Farm also features a new £2.4 million Agri-Tech Innovation Centre dedicated to advanced agricultural and engineering training, the DeLaval Digital Farm and robotic milker which provides live data for analysis and interpretation of dairy cow performance. On-farm data from the different enterprises is also drawn together using the latest Map of Agriculture software to provide live updates on what is occurring on the farm, the level of inputs and physical performance of the different enterprises' adding to the learning experience and knowledge of the students on the EFdSc Agriculture Course.

This course is 3-years full time (part-time study may also be available – contact he@askham-bryan.ac.uk for more information about part-time study).

This programme is awarded by Askham Bryan College.

Year 1 Modules
Introduction to Animal Health
Fundamentals of Biological Sciences
Principles of Laboratory Work
Introduction to Research
Academic and Professional Skills

Year 2 Modules
Academic Writing and Research
Environmental Management in Agriculture
Agricultural Mechanisation
Crop Production
Introduction to Agri-Business
Livestock Health

Year 3 Modules
Research Skills - Agriculture
Applied Agri-Business
Livestock Production
Crop Production Management
Continuous Professional Development

*Electives (choose one)
Livestock Feeding
Agronomy
*We cannot guarantee placement on your preferred elective if the module does not meet the minimum enrolment requirements or is oversubscribed due to resource limitations.

University Centre Askham Bryan fosters diverse talents and skills through a range of engaging assessment methods tailored to hone industry standard subject skills, as well as transferable skills and graduate attributes. From traditional coursework to time-constrained assessments that sharpen quick thinking, with each assessment opportunity you can showcase your abilities. Engage in online assessments blending technology with information for adaptable problem-solving. Whilst presentations amplify your voice, and scholarly viva-voce discussions deepen understanding. Practical assessments bridge theory with real-world application, helping to shape your subject expertise.
With our varied approach, learning isn't just about meeting standards—it's about discovering your potential within an educational landscape.