MAg

Agriculture

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You are viewing this course for September start 2023

Key Facts

D404

  • UCAS Tariff

    128 - 120

  • Course duration

    4 years

Further details on entry requirements

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The four-year Integrated Masters degree in Agriculture at Aberystwyth University offers you the opportunity to combine a BSc with an extra year of study so that you graduate with a Masters-level qualification. The course will develop the breadth and depth of your agricultural knowledge and prepare you to be a subject specialist, able to make effective use of state-of-the-art innovations within the agricultural industry.  

Course Overview

The first three years of the course will follow the same syllabus as BSc Agriculture (H21Y), which is then followed by an additional year of study, after which you will graduate with a Masters-level qualification. 

MAg Agriculture offers you detailed coverage of agriculture and agricultural production systems, alongside a range of vitally important subjects such as sustainability, environmental management and technology. It will provide you with the practical and theoretical understanding needed to manage a sustainable business, and will be ready to adopt best practices, informed by current research, to tackle the challenges of livestock and crop management and get the best from your agricultural business.  

 You will study a fascinating blend of science, technology and management with a firm grounding in animal and crop physiology and husbandry as well as business, economics and land use. You will move on to cover current and projected production systems from a production, financial and environmental perspective, be exposed to best practice and become familiar with the most current research.  

 You will also become familiar with the role of the Farm Business Survey in comparative analysis and benchmarking - a tool which will be invaluable in your future employment situation, allowing you to compare your farm’s performance and profitability to other farms in the UK and EU.   

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 throughout the UK 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 - 2023

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 * BR27620 20
Farm Business Management and Appraisal BR21020 20
Food, Farming and the Environment BR21920 20
Livestock Production Systems * BR20420 20
Research Methods * BR27520 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Applied Nutrition of Livestock, Horses and Companion Animals * BR20720 20
Controlled Environment Crop Production and Horticulture BR23520 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Advances in Agriculture * BR34820 20
Farm Planning and Advanced Farm Management BR31620 20
Critical Review BR36320 20
Research Project * BR36440 40

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Crop and Grassland Production Science BR37220 20
Livestock Production Science BR30820 20
The Agri-Environment BR30420 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
MBiol Research Project BRM2860 60
Research Methods in the Biosciences BRM6420 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Animal Breeding and Genetics BRM5820 20
Grassland Science BRM5120 20
Infection and Immunity BRM1620 20
Livestock Nutrition BRM0320 20
Livestock Production Science BRM5420 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

The Integrated Masters degree in Agriculture has been specifically created to meet the increasing demand for suitably qualified personnel to work at high level within the agricultural and allied industries. The subject specialist skills developed on this course will allow you to target careers in agricultural consultancy, agronomy, farm management, livestock health and nutrition and all other allied roles. The MAg is also a recognised alternative to MSc for progression to a PhD studentship, as well as an excellent foundation for a career as a professional scientist.  

What work experience opportunities are available to me while I study?   

Find out about the various opportunities that our Careers Service offers. 

Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and our Year in Employment Scheme.  

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 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.  

In the third year you will explore the way in which research is used to develop more efficient animal production systems. You will consider agriculture and agricultural issues from a range of specific, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives and gain an understanding of the relationship between policy, socio-economic factors, agricultural practices and the rural economy.  

Visits to farms, research stations, rural businesses and organisations involved in the regulation and management of the countryside are an integral part of the course and will highlight the key issues at stake and enable you to see the practical business applications of your theoretical and academic learning.   

In your final year you will undertake an independent research project, normally analytical in nature and involving data collection and analysis on a topic related to agriculture. This offers you the opportunity to specialise in a particular aspect of the discipline under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor. 

How will I be taught?  

This course will be delivered through a programme of lectures, seminars, workshops and field visits. You will have numerous opportunities to apply your academic learning in practical activities and workshops.   

Assessment  

You will be assessed through a range of methods including essays, practical exercises, oral presentations, worksheets, reports, statistical exercises, business plans, literature reviews, field notebooks and exams. Research projects in your third and fourth year will allow you to perform in-depth research under the guidance of a supervisor.  

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 128 - 120

A Levels ABB-BBB including B in a relevant Science

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

BTEC National Diploma:
D*D*D*-D*DD with a specified subject

International Baccalaureate:
32-30 points overall with 6 points in Biology at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate:
75% overall with 7 in a relevant science

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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