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Welcome to ARES - NTU's School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences

Our business is nature: specifically, the environment, animal health and welfare, ecology and conservation, and agriculture and food production. That covers everything from biodiversity and agri-tech to nutrition and climate change.

Our approach is innovative and inclusive. Moreover, we feel it makes us that little bit different. It’s our goal to have a positive impact on the planet by improving the wellbeing of environments, animals, plants, and people. If you see that passion in yourself — as a potential student, academic, or collaborator — we can be a new, powerful partner in your journey.

Different study levels, but with a shared purpose

We offer a wide range of study levels, from post-16 education to doctoral research. Each one of those levels is interconnected, enabling a stronger sense of community: students on our college-level courses get access to all the facilities of a great university, while our undergrads and postgraduates hone their research ambitions through collaborative projects with ARES’ own acclaimed academics. At each stage, we want our students to be excited by the promise of their next steps: we work with employers to reflect (and anticipate) the needs of the sector, and to guarantee our graduates are not only job-ready, but ready to contribute novel ideas in their dream roles.

Find your course

Meet the team

We’ve built our School around the nurturing principles of care, compassion, and empowerment, with the goal of inspiring each member of our community to have a profound, positive impact on the planet we share. The ARES experience is a deeply personal one. For our students, that means the kind of personalised learning that counts — open doors, first-name terms, an unparalleled standard of care, and closer links to employers at home and abroad. For staff, it’s about encouraging them to ask new, bigger questions, by supporting their work and ensuring they appreciate their value to our mission.

Our Subject Areas

Agriculture and Horticulture

Meeting the needs of a growing global population while transitioning to sustainable and resilient systems is one of the biggest challenges ever faced by the sector. Our courses explore innovative technologies and sustainable production, equipping you with the skills for a future at the forefront of the agriculture and horticulture industry.

Animal, Equine and Veterinary Sciences

Combine your passion for animals with courses that cover every aspect of animal and equine science — from anatomy and physiology to the treatment and control of diseases — and get ready to work in a wide range of roles across the fields of animal health and welfare.

Conservation and Ecology

Global populations of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles have declined by 58% since 1970, and today, one in ten UK wildlife species is threatened by extinction. The world needs solutions – and that’s why NTU is helping a new generation of conservationists and ecologists. Are you ready to make a difference?

Geography and Environmental Science

Our planet is facing some tough challenges. We need to tackle the global climate emergency and build a healthier future. Spanning multiple sectors and disciplines, our industry-accredited courses will empower you to find the solutions we need to make a difference.

Food Science and Production

Developments in food science are key to sustainably feeding the world’s growing population. NTU’s professional food scientists and practitioners, along with industry-standard tools and technology in our specialist facilities, will teach you the expertise and skills required for you to play a vital role in this global challenge.

Our research

At NTU, we invite broader, more holistic perspectives. Experts from across the worlds of conservation, agriculture and environmental science work together to address the big issues; to unite disciplines and agencies in battling national and international challenges. We’re conducting vital research into landscape regeneration, and delivering strategies for the reintroduction (and preservation) of displaced species. Our farming research supports the worldwide sustainability agenda, as we identify cheaper, better ways of bringing fresh food to urban centres. And they’re all just the tip of the iceberg.

Centre for Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences Research

Research in this area explores environmental issues, the exploitation of natural resources, sustainable agriculture, climate change, animal sciences, and waste management.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 86% of NTU's research impact was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent. The overall quality of each Unit of Assessment NTU submitted to REF in 2021 also saw an improvement from the previous REF in 2014.

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