Program Overview

BSc (Hons) / BSc Agriculture with Farm Business Management (Top-up)

Course Overview

Having completed a Foundation Degree or HND programme in Agriculture, you may wish to top-up to either a BSc or BSc (Hons) degree, by studying full-time for a further academic year to specialise in the area of farm business management.

Entry Requirements

• Top-up applicants must have achieved an average of 55% in their Foundation degree to apply for BSc non-honours and 60% to apply for BSc Honours.
• Applicants must have completed a full year’s placement as part of their course of study or two years of full-time relevant employment out with the family business after their course.
• In addition to meeting the foundation degree requirements, applicants must also satisfy the GCSE and Level 3 entry requirements of our own Foundation degree courses.

Course Key Info

• UCAS code: BSc: D44N, BSc (Hons): D441
• Institution code: H12
• Duration: 1 year (full-time)
• Location: Harper Adams University campus

Course Modules

Year 1

• Skills for the Agricultural Professional (C4001C17)
• Animal Production Systems (A4005C17)
• Crop Production Systems (C4013C17)
• Agricultural Science (C4010C17)
• Rural Skills (C3001C17)
• Assessment of the Farm Business (R4010C17)
• Agri-food Marketing (F4005C17)
• Agricultural Mechanisation and Buildings (E4001C17)

Year 2

• Placement year

Year 3

• Professional Project (P-PROJC17)
• Sustainable Livestock Production Systems (A5006C17)
• Integrated Crop Management Systems (C5009C17)
• Farm Animal Science (A5016C17)
• Crop Production Science (C5002C17)
• Farm Business Management (R5020C17)
• Managing People (R5019C17)

Optional Modules

• Farm Animal Nutrition (A5002C17)
• Crop Protection and Technology (C5003C17)
• Professional Services in Farm Business Management (R5002C17)
• Farm Machinery Technology and Management (E5003C17)

Year 4

• Honours Research Project (HRPROJC17)
• Research Methods (C5005C17)
• Farm Business Operation and Planning (R5001C17)
• Applied Farm Business Management Case Study (R6004C17)
• Farm Business Strategy (R6010C17)
• Implementation, Operation and Control of Business Plans (R6012C17)
• Business Diversification (R6005C17)

BSc (Hons) Top-up

Year 1

• Honours Research Project (HRPROJC17)
• Research Methods (C5005C17)
• Farm Business Operations and Planning (HF)
• Applied Farm Business Management Case Study (R6004C17)
• Farm Business Strategy (R6010C17)
• Implementation, Operation and Control of Business Plans (R6012C17)
• Business Diversification (R6005C17)

Teaching and Learning

Top-up programmes are structured around lectures, tutorials and practical classes designed to augment material covered in previous studies and allow students to develop the subject expertise and depth of knowledge required at BSc and BSc (Hons) degree level.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is via a balance of coursework and examination; this allows individuals to play to their strengths if they are better at course work than examinations or vice versa. Types of assignments include appraising production systems on the University farm, whole farm business case studies, and literature-based reviews. Format of assignments varies and includes written reports, essays, technical notes, presentations and oral examinations. Students receive written feedback on all coursework to help them improve.

Fees and Costs

The latest fees for this course can be found in our fees and funding section. You will also find course related costs, specific to this course in the Fees and Charges PDF.

Other Courses That May Interest You

• Foundation FdSc + Foundation Year Agriculture UCAS: D407 Year of entry: 2025
• Undergraduate FdSc Agriculture (with placement) UCAS: D405 Year of entry: 2025
• Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Agriculture (with placement) UCAS: D400 Year of entry: 2025