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Agriculture BSc (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
  • UCAS Code(s): D406; D407
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: Three years full-time or four years with placement
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
  • Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
Information for 2024

Introduction:

Feeding an increasing population against a backdrop of different weather patterns induced by climate change presents a major challenge to the farming industry’s future. This course focuses on innovative approaches to agriculture, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to apply sustainable agriculture practices and play a part in global food security. Designed in consultation with the National Trust – one of the largest landowners in the UK – it gives you the opportunity to study on the University’s 200-hectare farm and rural estate, based at our Brackenhurst Campus.

We also offer BSc (Hons) Agriculture (with foundation year). Our integrated foundation degrees offer a unique gateway to our BSc courses for those who currently don't meet the degree-level entry criteria.

  • Study at our Brackenhurst Campus - a 200-hectare working farm and rural estate. You'll have access to specialist equipment for exploring agriculture both in the field and in the laboratory.
  • This course has been co-designed with the National Trust, one of the largest land owners in the UK.
  • We're ranked 3rd in the UK for the number of undergraduate students on sandwich courses studying agriculture, food and related studies (HESA, 2021/22).
  • We're in the top 15 in the UK for Agriculture and Forestry courses (Complete University Guide 2024).

What you’ll study

Our world is changing. Feeding an increasing population against a backdrop of different weather patterns induced by climate change presents a future challenge to the farming industry. We must adopt innovative and sustainable approaches whilst providing effective environmental stewardship. This course offers the opportunity to study at the University's 200-hectare farm and rural estate based at our Brackenhurst Campus. Here you'll develop and devise new techniques and technologies to enhance sustainable agricultural production.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn from visits and placements with a range of partner organisations. These will give you a broad knowledge of where the sector is and where it needs to go in the future.

Livestock Production Systems

Study the principles of the main livestock systems and how these differ with scale, climate and economic conditions.

Crop Production Systems

Study the main crop production systems, including cultivation practices, both in the UK and across the globe.

Plants and Soil Science

Develop an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of plants and how they function in relation to their environment. Learn the principles of soil science, and how soils are managed for optimal plant growth.

Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Gain a broad understanding of animal structure and function.

Introduction to the Agricultural Industry

This module provides an overview of the social and economic environment in which the industry operates. You’ll learn about farm business structures, farm management and accounts. You’ll also get an introduction to farm management software.

Agricultural Operations

Gain practical experience in various on-farm operations, including machinery, pesticide application, telehandler use, basic livestock practices, fencing, and boundary maintenance. You'll also develop regulatory and health and safety knowledge.

Contemporary Issues in Agriculture

Explore the current economic and political climate in which the agriculture industry operates. Issues explored include the sustainability of food supply chains and food security.

Experimental Design and Analysis

This module will introduce you to research methodology, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis and data presentation.

Livestock Nutrition and Health

Learn about feedstuffs and gain an insight into animal nutrition. This module will also cover pathogens, animal health, and antibiotic resistance.

Land Use Ecology

Explore land uses such as farming and forestry, whose productivity is determined by the presence and products of ecological processes, and the impacts of humans upon them.

You'll also choose two optional modules. Examples include one from:

Crop Nutrition, Health and Protection

Gain a sound understanding of the macro and micronutrients required by crops, and the fertilizers used to support crop growth.  You’ll also learn about the pests and diseases most often affecting crops, and how these can be controlled.

Applied Animal Breeding

Gain knowledge of genetics, reproductive behaviour, applied breeding management and reproduction technologies within domestic and production animal species.

And another one from:

Farm Business Performance

Learn to analyse and utilise data and use an evidence-based approach to solve problems and inform decision-making to optimise business performance with the assistance of farm computing and software systems.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Spatial Analysis

Study the mapping and analytical techniques used in geographical information systems (GIS). Explore the applications of technology across a wide range of topic areas.

This is a placement year for students on the four-year course.

Dissertation

Undertake independent research under supervision. Focus on your own area of interest within agriculture.

Advances in Livestock and Crop Production

Examine advances in agriculture with specific focus on current research and emerging practices and technologies.

Sustainable Management of the Agricultural Environment

Investigate agricultural resources and environments and find solutions to global challenges such as soil degradation.

You'll also choose two optional modules. Examples include:

Global Agriculture and Food Security

Gain an insight into the global agricultural industry and investigate the concepts of production in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. You’ll learn about the current agricultural practice and policy in the UK and EU, investigate current scientific advances, explore issues relating to harvesting and production of food from sustainable sources, and consider global food security.

Energy for a Low Carbon Future

Investigate how to harness and distribute safe, clean energy from sources that do not deplete with use. Consider the depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing demand for energy and evaluate the choices available for the future.

Application of Remote Sensing

You’ll learn how to process, analyse and interpret information from a range of existing remote sensing techniques. You'll also obtain information for mapping and spatial analysis using data from both historical and the very latest high resolution sensors.

Business Management

Develop your understanding of farm business management and learn to create innovative business plans, considering a multitude of aspects, from finance to marketing and resource management, which could be used to seek finance of a business, apply for a tenancy or partnership, or assist with the management of an existing business or start-up.

Ecosystem Ecology

Examine the ecology of landscapes and ecosystems. Understand the influence of, and relationship between, location and ecological processes, and the resulting ecosystem goods and services that come from them.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Thomas Fenton

Agriculture

The facilities at Brackenhurst are really good, the fact that we have the farm was a selling point in itself when it came to considering what university to choose.

Nelson Baganha Baptista Goncalves

Agriculture

NTU has not only broadened my understanding of agriculture but has also opened up a clear and exciting career path for me in vertical farming. I feel confident that the education and experiences I have gained here will be pivotal in achieving my professional aspirations

Video Gallery

Watch our facility tour video to get an insight into the equipment you'll use and what you'll study on the BSc (Hons) Agriculture course. You can also hear from our current students.
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How you’re taught

You will be taught through a variety of methods including group seminars, lectures and practical sessions.

Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.

Contact hours

Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%), independent study (74%)

Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (26%), independent study (74%)

Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (21%), independent study (79%)

A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study.

How you’re assessed

Year 1 coursework (63%), written exam (17%), practical (20%)

Year 2 coursework (80%), written exam (17%), practical (3%)

Year 3 coursework (100%)

Careers and employability

Your future career

This course has been designed to allow you to enter this exciting industry in a range of roles. You'll be able to use your expertise to either work in farming at a managerial level, or in the allied industries in roles such as a farm advisor or crop protection specialist. There will also be opportunities for careers for those specialising in sustainable production, environmental protection and agricultural conservation.

Placement opportunities

Between year two and three you'll have the opportunity to take a placement year. Typical work experience takes place on farms, in agricultural research stations and in allied industries such as seed merchants, agricultural consultancies and advisory services.

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

Campus and facilities

You'll be based at our Brackenhurst Campus, a countryside estate that includes a working farm, a herd of award-winning Lincolnshire Red cattle and a flock of sheep, a wide range of arable crops, and industry-standard agricultural facilities and machinery.

You'll also have access to a dedicated suite of glasshouses and polytunnels. It's the perfect outdoor classroom, enabling you to put theory into practice from day one.

Entry requirements

  • Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject or equivalent.
  • Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject or equivalent.

For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Sports Science and Psychology. We also consider science modules as part of BTECs and other qualifications.

Contextual offers

A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.

Other qualifications and experience

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Access to Higher Education courses

If you’re aged 19+ and don’t have the qualifications to meet the entry criteria, you can study an Access to HE course right here at NTU. These one-year courses are designed specifically as an alternative route to university.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

  • 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject or equivalent.

For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Sports Science and Psychology. We also consider science modules as part of BTECs and other qualifications.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Fees and funding

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips

Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

Other costs

All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons and waterproof trousers and coat.

Tuition fees for September 2024 entry

Mode of study

International tuition fee

Full-time

£17,150

Full-time with placement

£17,150 + £1,850 (placement year)

Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

Paying fees

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

Library books

Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips

Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.

Placements

If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Print and copy costs

The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

Other costs

All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons and waterproof trousers and coat.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.

Keeping up-to-date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.

You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Advice on writing a good personal statement

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

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