Agriculture BSc with Top Up award

Program Overview

The BSc Agriculture (Top-up) at Aberystwyth University is a one-year program for students with an existing FdSc or HND in Agriculture or related fields. The program focuses on farm business planning, with students gaining practical experience as consultants for agricultural enterprises. Optional modules allow for specialization in livestock production, crop and grassland production, or the agri-environment. Graduates pursue successful careers in enterprise and farm management, agricultural administration, and related industries.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BSc Agriculture (Top-up) degree is a one-year program designed for students who already hold a FdSc or HND in Agriculture (subject to grades) or other equivalent qualifications. It provides a direct route to a BSc Honours degree. Students will gain practical experience by acting as consultants to agricultural enterprises, offering solutions to real-world challenges. The program also allows for specialization in livestock production, crop and grassland production, or the agri-environment through optional modules.

Outline:

Year 1:

Core Modules:

• Advances in Agriculture (BR34820): 20 credit value.
• Farm Planning and Advanced Farm Management (BR31620): 20 credit value.
• Critical Review (BR36320): 20 credit value.
• Research Project (BR36440): 40 credit value.
(Available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh)

Optional Modules:

• Crop and Grassland Production Science (BR37220): 20 credit value.
• Livestock Production Science (BR30820): 20 credit value.
• Marketing and Small Business Management (BR34720): 20 credit value.
• Sustainable Land Management (BR30420): 20 credit value.

Teaching & Learning:

• Delivery: The program is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and farm visits.
• Farm Visits: Visits to farms, research establishments, and agri-businesses throughout the UK are an integral part of the course.
• Assessment: Assessment methods include essays, oral presentations, reports, business plans, literature reviews, and exams.
• Personal Tutor: Each student is assigned a personal tutor who provides academic and personal support throughout the program.

Careers:

Graduates from this program have achieved successful careers in various areas of agriculture and related industries, including:

• Enterprise and farm management
• Animal health and nutrition
• Agricultural politics and administration
• Crop and grassland agronomy
• Administrative, consultancy, and sales roles with agricultural supply companies

Other:

• Staff: The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active.
Vocational courses also have staff with industry backgrounds. The Department has a large number of research-only staff with whom students may have contact.
• Real-World Connection: The program emphasizes the connection between research and analysis in agriculture and their real-world impacts on technology, crops, and animal welfare.
• Farm Business Survey: Students become familiar with the Farm Business Survey, a tool for comparative analysis and benchmarking, which is valuable for future employment.