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Agriculture (Top-up) at University Centre Sparsholt - UCAS

Course summary

What Makes This Course Unique? Exceptional facilities, industry connections and immersive learning environment:

  • Access to over 300 hectares of farmland, extensive range of livestock and pioneering agri‑tech including new robotic dairy and vertical farming facility.
  • New and innovative degree course established in 2020 based on the needs of the industry to adapt to a changing world.
  • Extensive practical learning and farm visits.
  • Opportunity to gain a range of industry‑recognised certificates of competency including PA1, PA2, Telehandler, Animal transport and Safe use of veterinary medicines.
What makes UCS special? As a nation we have become acutely aware that agriculture plays a major role in our society. University Centre Sparsholt utilises our extensive industry network, pioneering agri‑tech and wide‑ranging farming enterprises to develop you into a future-focused, innovative farmer. We have delivered agricultural programmes for over 125 years, and established our agriculture degree courses in 2020 based on the needs of the industry to be able to innovate and adapt to a changing world. We have embedded sustainability through all modules on the degree and the course content is continuously adapted according to sector demands. We aim to future‑proof agriculture through understanding how to more sustainably and regeneratively work with nature to produce food and other critical products and services, enabling the next generation to make a real impact in farming and agri‑tech businesses. Agriculture students have access to over 300 hectares of farmland providing an excellent range of learning opportunities – 126 hectares on campus incorporating grazing pastures and dairy, sheep, pigs and arable enterprises and 175 hectares of sustainable arable production at a nearby site, including 67 hectares in Agri‑Environment Schemes. What will I learn? You will gain a deep understanding of the fundamentals of agricultural production, the underpinning science and the ability to apply this knowledge to practice. We investigate a range of practices, focusing on sustainable and regenerative agriculture but also comparing to more traditional techniques, as well as debating and critiquing the ever‑changing legislation that has shaped, and continues to shape, UK agriculture. Farm business management is embedded throughout to ensure that you have all the ability required to run a profitable and sustainable business:
  • Industry-relevant skills to ensure you graduate job‑ready
  • Farm business management utilising mapping software including ArcGIS and Omnia Digital Farming
  • Livestock handling and management
  • Arable crop rotation and integrated crop management (ICM)
  • Farm environment and habitat management including regenerative and low‑carbon agriculture
  • Utilising government and private/third party funding for sustainable and profitable farming
  • Research project management
How will I be assessed? Our assessments mirror the challenges you will face in your career, combining academic depth with practical application:
  • Academic debates
  • Farm management plans and investment appraisals
  • Practical skills assessments
  • Presentations including posters, talks and vlogs
  • Scientific reports and portfolios
  • Open and closed book exams
Focused on your Future: This course will equip you with the knowledge, practical skills, and adaptability to be able to navigate a range of roles in Agriculture, or you can progress onto postgraduate study. How our graduates are shaping the future:
  • Working on local farms and further afield
  • Farm management
  • Farm advisory roles
  • Postgraduate study in farm
  • Business management

Modules

LEVEL SIX Dissertation, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Agricultural Business Development, Recent Developments in Agriculture, Advanced Crop Production (Optional), Advanced Livestock Production (Optional), Further Statistics, Professional Industrial Development.

Assessment method

Final and in-session assessments feature in this programme, allowing you to develop research and study skills as well as technical and expert knowledge. Assessments include completion of a research dissertation, written assignments, presentations, project reports, practical based and online portfolios and examinations.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

  • Course does not award QTS

How to apply

This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.

Application codes

Course code:
D402
Institution code:
S34
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Diploma of Higher Education, FdSc or HND in a relevant subject, plus GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above (or level 2 equivalents).

Additional entry requirements

Other

GCSE Maths and English @ Grade C/4 or above (or level 2 equivalents)


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Overall score of 6.0 with minimum scores of 5.5 in any of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.ielts.org/about-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom
Trinity ISEPassPass in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT/UKVI
PTE Academic60Minimum score of 60 or higher in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) www.pearsonpte.com/selt-tests/pte-academic-ukvi

We will also accept the following qualification: LanguageCert International ESOL SELT - minimum score of 33/50 in each of Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening (CEFR B2) https://www.languagecert.org/en/uk-visa-exams/study-in-the-uk

Please email [email protected] for details

https://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
75%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Republic of Ireland £4625 Year 1
England £4625 Year 1
Northern Ireland £4625 Year 1
Scotland £4625 Year 1
Wales £4625 Year 1
Channel Islands £4625 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

www.sparsholt.ac.uk/university-centre/additional-costs/

Sponsorship information

Depending on the financial information disclosed in your Student Loan application, UCS may make an automatic bursary award based on specific criteria as set out in our Access and Participation Plan. If this is not the case you may still be able to apply for financial support to the UCS HE Hardship fund by completing a Bursary Application Form (available from end of |Term 1). For more information please email [email protected].

Agriculture (Top-up) at University Centre Sparsholt - UCAS