Agriculture (with Foundation Year)

Be part of the future of food and farming and lead the drive towards resilient food systems.

Why Agriculture at ARU?

• Study at one of the UK’s leading institutions for land-based studies and gain experience with the latest technology and machinery at our 138-hectare farm, livestock units and scientific laboratories.

• Take part in a student-led regenerative project during your studies, putting theory into practice.

• Get hands-on with visits to industry leading farmers, producers, and supply chain businesses and develop knowledge, understanding and your network within the industry.

• Become part of the future of sustainable food production systems, with regenerative practices and principles embedded throughout the curriculum.

• Gain an education that supports your career, not just your next job. Our courses aim to make you informed and able to contribute to decision-making at a farm, company or policy-making level.

• Connect with the world by learning from inspiring academics with extensive connections that span the UK and Europe.

Our course recognises changes in UK agriculture in the wake of recent policy developments, and the impact of climate change. It covers all aspects of arable and livestock farming, as well as the wider environment in which production will be taking place.

We explore food production systems and precision farming – but also the economic, social and environmental sustainability of production practices, food security, consumer behaviour and supply chains.

You'll study at ARU in Writtle, where our farm and field facilities support hands-on learning and sustainable practice. They’re an 'open laboratory' where you can observe, experiment, analyse, evaluate and gain the skills that employers want.

We work collaboratively with external companies and organisations, so that you graduate ready to work in the agricultural industry.

There are two ways to study this course. As well as our three-year full-time degree, you have the option of studying over four years including a foundation year.

All BSc students study the same modules (with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the four-year course).

You can apply for all full-time courses through UCAS (UK students) or directly to us (international students).

You may also be interested in our BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Regenerative Systems) and BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Regenerative Systems and Livestock).

Course Modules

Year 1: Academic and Personal Management Skills, Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills), Maths for IT and Science, Chemistry for Life Sciences, Applied Industry Techniques, Independent (Themed) Project. Year 2: Graduate, Professional Skills, Principles of Sustainable Development, Biological Processes, Climate Soils and Land Use. Year 3: Academic and Professional Development, Political and Economic Contexts, International Value Chain C, Livestock Production Systems, Issues and Solutions in Production, Fresh Produce Production. Year 4: Dissertation, Natural Resource Management, Livestock Technology, Developments in Livestock Production, Integrating Science and Crop Management, Sustainable Business Solutions.

Students are assessed in a variety of ways, these include: Practical assessments with both livestock and crops. Examinations - both multiple choice and essay questions. Presentations - both individually and in small groups. Essays and technical reports. Assessed seminars. Case studies. Experimental work and laboratory reports. Poster presentations. Debates. Dissertation