FDSc

Agriculture (with integrated year in industry)

Agriculture (with integrated year in industry) Code D403 Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

D403

  • UCAS Tariff

    96 - 72

  • Course duration

    3 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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Agriculture is a vocation and way of life. Whether you are interested in animals or crops, upland or lowland, intensive or extensive farming systems, the breadth and depth of teaching in the highly popular Agriculture foundation degree with integrated year in industry at Aberystwyth University will cater for your needs. On this course you will be challenged with real-life scenarios so that you can study a blend of science, technology, and farm management to explore and understand the way in which modern agricultural methods produce food in a sustainable manner and provide a profit for the farm business. You will cover all aspects of agricultural production systems, while also developing a detailed understanding of the changing farming landscape, and the skills and theoretical knowledge needed to manage a sustainable business. 

Course Overview

This three-year foundation degree with integrated year in industry is taught by leading experts and researchers in their field in a department renowned for agricultural innovation. With opportunities to gain work experience in the UK and overseas, the course is an excellent option for those who wish to train as managers of agricultural enterprises, or to retrain and pursue a career in agriculture. Students who successfully complete this course to the required standard can progress onto our BSc Agriculture degree. 

The taught component of the Agriculture Foundation degree with integrated year in industry (D403) is identical to its two-year sister course FdSc Agriculture course (D402). The year in industry is taken in your second year, is supervised and assessed, and will count towards your degree grade. During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee.   

Aberystwyth is surrounded by a great diversity of farmland and agricultural terrain. The 800 hectare commercially managed university farms provide the setting for your practical learning. This is supplemented by field visits to farms and agricultural and food businesses that are industry leaders in innovation and technical expertise, which will reinforce your academic learning.   

Our 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 whose background lies within industry. The Department has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Agronomy and Crop Improvement * RD27620 20
Applied Livestock Nutrition * RD20920 20
Business Budgeting and Appraisal RD22520 20
Food, Farming, Technology and the Environment * RD29020 20
Livestock Production and Management * RD28020 20
Research Methods * RD27520 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Students graduating with a Foundation Degree in Agriculture enter a variety of technical and managerial roles at enterprise and farm level. You will be able to adopt best practices that incorporate the very best of current research, and husbandry practices that allow you to tackle the challenges of livestock and crop management in a changing and challenging physical and financial environment. Your industrial year will equip you with additional insight, knowledge and practical experience of working in the modern agricultural sector, which will give you a competitive edge in the jobs market. 

Completing a year in industry will allow you to: 

  • apply the learning from your course to the work environment 
  • make valuable industry contacts 
  • develop practical skills related to your area of study 
  • enrich your final year of studies with an enhanced appreciation of its applicability to your career  
  • greatly enhance your CV and increase your prospects of success in the job market.   

Please note that we do not have automatic work placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for securing your own work experience placement with the support of our dedicated Year in Industry Coordinator and careers advisor to maximise your chances of success. If you are unsuccessful, you will be able to convert your course to the two-year version of the Foundation Degree in Agriculture. 

Teaching & Learning

What will I learn?  

In the first year you will be introduced to the technologies that are increasingly being developed for and adopted by the agricultural industry. You will investigate the factors that influence land use and explore the primary resources required to operate a rural business. You will gain useful business management skills, including the preparation of farm budgets and the analysis of commodity markets.  

In the second year you will undertake your work experience placement in an industry related to agriculture. 

In your final year you will study the impact of agriculture and food supply systems on the environment. You will examine British livestock industries, crop production systems and strategies, and will learn how to analyse, budget and appraise a farm business.  

How will I be taught? 

You will be taught through a balanced programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials, workshops, practicals, study tours and demonstrations. 

Assessment 

You will be assessed through a range of methods including essays, practical reports and exercises, oral presentations, exams, plans, worksheets, field notebooks and case studies. 

Personal Tutor  

You will be assigned a personal tutor who will be your main contact throughout the duration of your studies. Your personal tutor can help you to settle in when you first arrive and will be available to help you with academic or personal matters. 

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff 96 - 72

A Levels CCC-DDD

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh, Mathematics or a Science subject

BTEC National Diploma:
MMP-MMM

International Baccalaureate:
24-26

European Baccalaureate:
60% overall

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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