BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Foundation Year)
Gain a solid grounding in fundamental science while understanding the ever-changing needs of industry. You will learn about the opportunities for technological transformation and the demands of global production, economic consequences and new policy developments.
Course overview
This degree course with a foundation year incorporates an extra year of study at the start of your course, so that you can progress with confidence. It will develop the skills you need for your later studies. It is particularly suitable if:
- You don’t have the grades for immediate entry onto a three-year course
- You have non-traditional qualifications or experience
- You’re starting university after some time away from education
- You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study
You will learn about the opportunities for technological transformation and the demands of global production, economic consequences and new policy developments on a degree that is constantly updated in consultation with our industry input. You will cover topics such as crop and livestock production, soil and environmental science, and the global business environment.
Our extensive contacts and external visits to livestock and crop enterprises and agribusinesses will provide you with invaluable insights into industry. Farm491 will give you unparalleled access to on-farm/applied product development initiatives and nearby farms will provide research trials. This will help you to understand what it takes to bridge the gap between the laboratory, the field, the commercial market and the farm. Students have gone on to work for organisations including Agrii, NIAB TAG and AGCO.
Work placement
.In your third year, you will apply your learning on a 15-week work placement. Not only could you find yourself working for prestigious companies in the UK or across the world, you will develop confidence and industry contacts for when you graduate.
Please note that a foundation year is not the same as a foundation degree (FdSc). A foundation year will usually lead onto a three-year degree course, whereas a foundation degree is a standalone qualification generally studied for two years.
Course content
Modules are assessed through a blend of examinations and coursework, including real-life case studies, presentations and reports.
The research project is an integral part of the course. Completed in your final year, it provides the opportunity to research a subject of specific interest or of direct relevance to your future employment.
Timetables
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and societies activities.
Modules
Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Each credit equates to 10 hours of total study time. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Full-time students normally take modules worth 60 credits per 15 week semester but this can vary depending on your elective choice. Part-time students take proportionally fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for your degree is based on marks obtained for modules taken at level 5 and level 6 (weighted 30:70 accordingly).
The modules available for this degree are shown below. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Foundation year
The Foundation year will provide a common core of academic and study skills sufficient to prepare you for subsequent study and academic success at undergraduate level. It will give core underpinning knowledge, skills and understanding in key areas of contemporary issues, provide underpinning subject-related skills and knowledge in key areas required for undergraduate study, including Mathematics, Numeracy and IT. It will also provide generic skills and academic knowledge to support your confidence and discipline as appropriate for higher education study and give subject-specific grounding, in terms of research topics and study focus, to support progression into degree level study in your chosen degree.
- 0IFY1 Managing Landscape
- 0IFY2 Digital Skills
- 0IFY3 Rural Business Skills
- 0IFY4 Land Related Studies
- 0IFY5 Change in the Countryside
- 0IFY6 Enterprise and Marketing
- 0IFY7 Environment and Conservation Data Handling
- 0IFY8 Agriculture and Farming
Year one
In year one you will focus on the principles of agricultural science and production systems, mechanisation and business management.
- 1005 Livestock Science
- 1006 Crop Production Science
- 1007 Soil and Environmental Science
- 1052 Crop Production 1
- 1054 Introduction to Food Production
- 1400 Developing Academic Skills
- 1415 Global Business Environment
Year two
In the second year, the principles of crop, livestock, grass and forage production are applied to a commercial practical farming situation. You will also take part in an individual work placement.
- 2222 Economic Applications for Farm Enterprises
- 2226 Agricultural Policy and Legislation
- 2236 Crop Production 2
- 2267 Introduction to Research Skills
- 2314 Farm Mechanisation
- 2316 Personal and Professional Development Skills
- 2317 Industry Placement
Year three
In the third year, you will be brought up-to-date with the current industry and its commercial realities. You will select two specialist electives from a wide choice and complete a dissertation.
- 3006 Emerging Agri-food Issues
- 3205 Management Information Systems for Farming Businesses
- 3209 Sustainable Agricultural Intensification
- 3300 Research Project / Dissertation
PLUS choice of TWO electives selected from:
- 3020 Advanced Crop Production
- 3067 Farm Machinery Management
- 3097 Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply
- 3325 Rural Entrepreneurship
- 3090 Forestry and Woodland Management
- 3092 Countryside & Environmental Management
- 3093 Farmland Ecology
- 3218 Sustainable Business & Agri-Food Supply Chains
- 3240 Contemporary Media Studies
The availability of electives to individual students will be dependent on timetabling considerations and on sufficient students electing to take part.
* Optional additions to the course will incur additional charges
Disclaimer information
The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.
Careers and graduate destinations
Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers within companies worldwide and within the following roles:
- Agronomist
- Nutritionist
- Geneticist / breeding specialist
- Farm manager
- Health and welfare manager
- Animal scientist
“I had some fantastic lecturers and mentors and made life-long friends at the RAU. My course gave me the tools I need in the future to run a successful and sustainable business, as well as looking at the bigger global picture.” Alex Dunn, Graduate
Entry requirements
Typical offers
Required: GCSE minimum five GCSEs at Grade C/4 including English Language and Mathematics (or Maths Numeracy for Welsh applicants) plus satisfactory level 3 qualifications:
- A-Level: (Example grades EEE) – minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points from level 3 qualifications
- C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC - Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) at Pass-Pass-Pass
- International Baccalaureate: 24 points
- Access to Higher Education: Pass course with 45 credits at level 3 (Pass in Functional Skills level 2 are accepted in lieu of GCSE English & Mathematics)
Visit the UCAS website to calculate your UCAS Tariff points from the qualifications and grades achieved.
You may also be eligible for a contextual offer if you’re from one of our link colleges, have been in care, from a non-white ethnic background, live in an area with low progression rates to university or you are a veteran/child of an armed forces family.
Flexible entry
The University welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. A wide range of qualifications and experience are accepted in order to join University degree programmes. The University always considers evidence of personal, professional (APL) and educational experience, (APEL), which show an ability to meet the demands of their intended programme of study.
Further information
Alternative entry routes are available for a range of other qualifications. Prior experience is also considered, subject to approval by the programme manager and admissions staff.
Read more general information about our entry requirements.
International students will also need to achieve IELTS Academic or equivalent at the appropriate level for your programme of study. English language requirements for international students.
For any further help, please contact our admissions team:
- Email: admissions@rau.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)1285 889912
Fees
2023-24 Applicants
For the academic year 2023-24 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per year | £13,900 per year |
For part-time study, please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk for further information.
Please also refer to the funding your time at university page.
Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan 2019/20.
If you are an Irish national you can check if you meet the requirements for Home Fees. Please visit the UKCISA website and consult the pdf guide “England HE – who pays Home Fees”. First check category ‘3 years in Republic of Ireland/UK/Islands, settled in UK’ or ‘Brexit temporary offer for courses starting before 2028: Irish citizens with residence in Europe or overseas territories’. You will possibly need to be fee assessed when you submit an application for study to the RAU.
Scholarships
The University offers a wide range of generous fee waivers and bursaries. To find out more about the these, please visit the bursaries, awards and scholarships page.
Ready to take the plunge? Apply now
Applications should be made by the UCAS deadline to ensure we are able to offer you a place on your first choice course. However, if you have missed the deadline please contact Admissions@rau.ac.uk as there are usually places available.
If you would like to apply during UCAS Extra or Clearing, please check that we have places available.
Applicants wishing to study on a course on a part-time basis will need to apply directly to the RAU.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk to discuss your requirements and obtain an application form.