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One Year Farming

As a tailor-made skills-based course, it provides you with the opportunity to hone your practical skills, both on the University farms and at the University's Rural Innovation Centre.

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Course menu

One Year Farming
  • Overview
  • Structure
  • Entry Requirements
  • Fees
  • Prospects
  • Apply

Mode of study

Full time / Part time

Programme manager

Mike Draper
01285 652531

Agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture
Tractor in field

Open day - 2018

Mon 23 Apr Register online
Tree in a field

Open day - 2018

Mon 03 Sep Register online

Overview

The agricultural industry is undergoing a critical phase of adaptation and change as it faces numerous environmental and social challenges. Innovative thinkers who have the practical skills to be part of the solutions being carved out across the field are in high demand. The RAU, with over a century of experience and a global reputation, is perfectly placed to help you play your part in the future of farming.

This one year farming course has been tailor made for those seeking to become farmers, landowners or managers of contemporary farm enterprises. You will find yourself learning alongside the best in the business on site at our farms and at our Rural Innovation Centre.

You will study all key aspects of modern farming practices, including science, crop, and animal husbandry, as well as farm mechanisation, administration and an introduction to farm and estate management.

On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Royal Agricultural University Certificate of Agriculture, and will be entitled to use the MRAU post-nominal letters.

This is a privately-funded course outside of the UCAS system and does not lead to UCAS tariff points. Applicants will not have access to student loans from the Student Loans Company or other government funding initiatives. Fees must be paid in advance at the start of each term. 

This is a privately-funded course outside of the UCAS system and does not lead to UCAS tariff points. Applicants will not have access to student loans from the Student Loans Company or other government funding initiatives. Fees must be paid in advance at the start of each term. 

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Ask a question

Get in touch with one of our students or lecturers by completing our online enquiry form.

Structure

This short course aims to expand your understanding of some of the current challenges facing the agricultural industry, such as the food supply chain, traceability and sustainability.

It will be delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, and practical classes at the University farms and laboratories. Assessment activities centre largely around real-life scenarios based on the farms. You’ll complete project work, case studies, presentations, and one-to-one discussions. There are termly examinations to monitor progress and provide feedback.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. 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 taking 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.)

Typical course modules are: 

  • Crop Production and Science
  • Estate Management
  • Farm Administration
  • Farming and the Environment
  • General Agricultural Issues
  • Livestock Production and Science
  • Machinery and Buildings
  • Skills training

To complement your core studies, you’ll be encouraged to select from a significant choice of rural skills courses, which may include training in the following categories:

  • Machinery operation and maintenance
  • Health and safety
  • Crop health (pesticides and agronomy)
  • Estate management
  • Livestock husbandry and veterinary skills

 

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Disclaimer Information

Important disclaimer information about our courses.

Entry requirements

Typical offers

  • GCSE: Five GCSEs grades A*-C. English and Maths are required.
  • You will be expected to provide evidence of effective use of time post-GCSE.
  • A period of practical farming experience is also highly recommended.

Further information

Please note that this course is outside of the UCAS system and does not lead to UCAS tariff points. It is intended as a unique, stand-alone, training course and does not guarantee entry onto Royal Agricultural University Foundation or Honours degree courses.

For any further help, please contact our admissions team:  

  • E-mail: admissions@rau.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0)1285 889912
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Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Find out the full range of entry requirements for our Undergraduate courses

Fees

Tuition fees cover the cost of a student’s academic studies. This usually includes teaching costs, registration and examination fees (not re-sit fees or coursework resubmission).

The One Year Farming Course is a privately-funded course and applicants will not have access to student loans from the Student Loans Company or other government funding initiatives. This course is outside of the UCAS system and does not lead to UCAS tariff points.

2018-19 Applicants

For the academic year 2018/19 the tuition fees for this course are: 

 UK/EUOverseas
Full-time£10,500 per year£11,550 per year
Part-time£5,250 per year (Duration of course 2 years) £5,775 per year (Duration of course 2 years)

Part-time fees will be charged on a pro-rata basis.

For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.

Please note: The University cannot sponsor international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK for the specific course. International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Tier 4 Child/General).

Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your eligibility.

2019-20 Applicants

For the academic year 2019/20 the tuition fees for this course are: 

 UK/EUOverseas
Full-time£10,500 per year£11,550 per year
Part-time£5,250 per year (Duration of course 2 years) £5,775 per year (Duration of course 2 years)

The tuition fees quoted for 2019/20 applicants may rise in line with inflation, subject to government policy.

Part-time fees will be charged on a pro-rata basis.

For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.

Please note: The University cannot sponsor international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK for the specific course. International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Tier 4 Child/General).

Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your eligibility.

Cirencester Town

RAU Cirencester Scholarship

A fee waiver of up to £3,000 per year for high achieving local students

Prospects

Do you aspire to managing your own farm, or providing agricultural knowledge and expertise as a consultant? Our graduates have gone on to build successful careers within the agricultural and related industries worldwide. Fulfilling roles as:

  • Farm Manager
  • Enterprise Manager
  • Estate Manager
  • Farm Consultant / Advisor
  • Agricultural Marketing Manager
  • Agricultural Journalist
  • Agronomist 

On average over the past five years, 96% of our graduates have gone on to enter employment or further study within six months, 70% in graduate or professional positions.

Apply now

Applications to study for this course need to be made directly through the University. 

You can now apply via our website, using the online application form. 

Alternatively, if you are unable access the online form you can call Admissions on 01285 889 912, or email admissions@rau.ac.uk.

We recommend applicants keep a copy of the completed form for their records. 

Course options

Apply Now

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One Year Farming Open Afternoon

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Discover the many on-campus facilities available to our students

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Support

Your happiness and wellbeing is as important to us as your academic progress. Throughout your time here, you can benefit from the support we provide, covering everything from healthcare and counselling to faith-based activities and careers advice.

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Experience

Whether you’re into rock climbing, skiing, or singing, or simply wish to meet like-minded students or budding entrepreneurs, you’ll find what you’re looking for – and more – within the RAU’s network of student societies.

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