BSc Agriculture (Foundation Year)
About this course
BSc (Hons) in BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Foundation Year), an Applied Data Science and Agriculture degree centred on agricultural science, farm management, and sustainable food systems. Core topics include Systems Design, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Financial Analysis, Policy Analysis, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Entrepreneurship. This course includes a foundation year for students needing additional transition support, and features a 15-week work placement during the second year. The initial foundation year establishes academic and professional fundamentals through Land-use and Management, Countryside Evolution and Development, Enterprise and Marketing, Land-based Data Handling, Food and Farming, and Developing your Skills and Undertaking an Individual Project. The first year builds core scientific and commercial understanding with Professional, Practical and Study Skills, Farm Business Finance and Accounts, Applied Plant and Animal Science, Farming Systems and Sustainability, Agricultural Machinery, Technology and Buildings, and Soil Science and Ecosystem Services. The second year develops applied competencies through Research and Evidence, Agronomy, Livestock Husbandry, Technology and Nature-Based Innovations, Farm Business Planning and Food Supply Chains, and Industry Engagement, alongside optional studies in Agricultural Commodities Trading, Farm Animal Health and Welfare, or Alternative Cropping Systems. The final year focuses on advanced concepts and independent study via Research Project, Agroecological and Technological Solutions, and Agri-Food Systems and Policies, with further specialisation available through optional modules such as Advanced Farm Business Management, Farm Business Consultancy, Advanced Livestock Nutrition and Breeding, Crop Health, Nutrition and Protection, and Countryside and Environmental Management.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
Required: GCSE minimum five GCSEs at Grade C/4 including English Language and Mathematics (or Maths Numeracy for Welsh applicants) plus satisfactory level 3 qualifications, one science level 3 subject is recommended for this programme: A-Level: (example grades EEE) – minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points across either three A-levels or two A-levels and two AS level subjects or equivalent qualifications C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC - Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) at Pass-Pass-Pass International Baccalaureate: 24 points Access to Higher Education: Pass course with 45 credits at level 3 (Pass in Functional Skills level 2 are accepted in lieu of GCSE English & Mathematics) You may also be eligible for a contextual offer if you’re from one of our link colleges, have been in care, from a non-white ethnic background, live in an area with low progression rates to university or you are a veteran/child of an armed forces family.
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What students say
Based on about 95 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 74%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 70%
- Academic support: 74%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 84%
- Student voice: 64%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 62%
- Gained a higher qualification: 22%
- Left higher education: 7%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 9%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 100%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 90%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 115 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 19%
- London: 4%
- South East: 22%
- South West: 32%
- Wales: 6%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 80%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 19%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Land-use and Management
- Countryside Evolution and Development
- Enterprise and Marketing
- Land-based Data Handling
- Food and Farming
- Developing your Skills and Undertaking an Individual Project
- Professional, Practical and Study Skills
- Farm Business Finance and Accounts
- Applied Plant and Animal Science
- Farming Systems and Sustainability
- Agricultural Machinery, Technology and Buildings
- Soil Science and Ecosystem Services
- Research and Evidence
- Agronomy
- Livestock Husbandry
- Technology and Nature-Based Innovations
- Farm Business Planning and Food Supply Chains
- Industry Engagement
- Agricultural Commodities Trading
- Farm Animal Health and Welfare
- Alternative Cropping Systems
- Research Project
- Agroecological and Technological Solutions
- Agri-Food Systems and Policies
- Advanced Farm Business Management
- Farm Business Consultancy
- Advanced Livestock Nutrition and Breeding
- Crop Health, Nutrition and Protection
- Countryside and Environmental Management
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Agriculture (Foundation Year) at Royal Agricultural University earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £38,500.
What do graduates of BSc Agriculture (Foundation Year) at Royal Agricultural University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Agriculture (Foundation Year) at Royal Agricultural University?
74% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BSc Agriculture (Foundation Year) at Royal Agricultural University?
The typical offer is EEE at A level, or 24 points in the IB. The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Agriculture (Foundation Year) at Royal Agricultural University?
62% of students continued into their second year, and 7% left higher education.