FdSc Agriculture and Farm Management
Whether you wish to manage an agricultural enterprise or farming business, migrate into finance or journalism, or continue studying agriculture and land management, this course will give you the practical, financial and leadership skills you need.
UCAS Code
D401Location
Royal Agricultural University CampusDuration
Course duration 2 Years (Full time / Part time)Academic Year
21 September 2020 - 21 May 2021
Course Overview
Right from your first year you will gain a firm understanding of the agricultural industry, with focused practical studies central to the course. You will advance even further with work experience during the summer between your first and second year. You will also have the opportunity to gain relevant practical experience and qualifications through rural skills training at our Rural Innovation Centre at Harnhill Manor Farm.
Work placement
You will complete a 10-week period of work experience, usually during the summer holiday between your first and second year, to gain further training and experience in farm management. Not only could you find yourself working for prestigious companies, develop your confidence and gain industry contacts for when you graduate.
This experience helps our graduates develop key employability skills and gain invaluable industry contacts. You also produce a portfolio of evidence of your learning experience.
Entry requirements
Typical offers
- A Level: CD – min.56 UCAS Tariff points (to include at least one A Level pass.)
- BTEC: MPP
- GCSE: (Minimum five GCSEs) - English and Mathematics (or Maths Numeracy for Welsh applicants) at Grade C / 4 or higher are required.
- International Baccalaureate: 24 points.
- Access to HE: 45 credits at level 3, of which 15 must be awarded at Merit or higher. (Pass at Literacy & Numeracy skills at level 2 are accepted in lieu of GCSE English & Mathematics)
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.
For any further help, please contact our admissions team:
- E-mail: admissions@rau.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)1285 889912
Teaching
You will cover the core subjects in your first year, with teaching focused on practical, work-related situations. You will delve deeper into these subjects in your second year and will complete an integrated project, developing skills in financial and physical management techniques in the field.
You will be assessed through a wide range of techniques, including research projects, examinations, case studies, business plans, portfolio, presentations and practical skills.
You can also enrol for courses leading to the award of Certificate of Competence.
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 240 credits for the foundation degree as a whole. The overall grade for your foundation degree is based on marks obtained for modules taken at level 4 and level 5 (weighted 30:70) accordingly.
Typical modules covered in this course are:
Year one
- 1116 Accounts & Economics
- 1117 Animal & Crop Science
- 1118 Crop Production
- 1120 Farm Business Management
- 1121 General Agriculture
- 1122 Livestock Husbandry
- 1123 Mechanisation & Buildings
- 1400 Developing Academic Skills
Year two
- 2125 Agricultural Policy and Legislation
- 2126 Animal Production
- 2127 Commodities Marketing
- 2128 Environmental and Woodland Management
- 2129 Crop Management
- 2130 Machinery Management
- 2131 Work-based learning
- 2132 Farm Business Planning
- 2133 Data Handling and Technical Writing
All the module sheets can be found here.
Fees
Tuition fees cover the cost of a student’s academic studies. This usually includes teaching costs, registration and examination fees (not repeat or trailing modules, re-sit fees or coursework resubmission). Any costs associated with work placements will be the student's responsibility.
- Re-sit examination fees or coursework re-submissions are £5 per credit (for a typical 15 credit module, this will total £75)
2020-21 Applicants
For the academic year 2020-21 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | EU | International | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per year | £9,250 per year | £10,200 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.
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.
Careers
Prospects
Our graduates are among the most sought-after. 93%* of our graduates are in employment or further study six months after leaving the RAU.
*2016/17 UK-based leavers studying a first degree, full time. Source: HESA
A degree in Agriculture and Farm Management could lead you to similar success, in any of the following areas:
- Farming as an owner or manager
- Buying and selling agricultural produce
- Agricultural supply – such as feedstuffs, machinery and farm building construction
- Agricultural insurance
- Finance and journalism
- Consultancy and advisory positions – within government and private organisations
Isabel Dixon-Clegg, FdSc Agriculture and Farm Management graduate, 2014 - “The Foundation Degree in Agriculture and Farm Management gave me the opportunity to gain both practical experience and theoretical knowledge in a diverse and growing industry. Having come from a non-farming background, it was vital to select a course which covered all aspects of agricultural business and offered a diverse range of modules. Interest in the Commodity Marketing module prompted me to apply for a Farm Trading role with Gleadell, which allows me to capitalise on the confidence and enthusiasm I gained whilst at the RAU.”
Apply now
Applications to study at the Royal Agricultural University must be made through the UCAS system. This applies to all undergraduate courses.
Applications need to be made by the UCAS deadline to ensure we are able to offer you a place on your first choice course.
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.
