Agriculture

Agriculture is the foundation of food systems, and food security is among the most important challenges the world faces in the coming decades. At the same time, farming sits at the intersection of several other major issues: greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, water management, rural livelihoods and the economics of global supply chains. Agriculture as a degree takes all of this seriously, providing a rigorous education in the science, technology, business and policy dimensions of food and land management.

At Harper Adams University, the four-year full-time programme develops your understanding of crop science, animal science, soil science, agronomy, farm business management, agri-technology and the environmental dimensions of farming. You will study how different farming systems function, how they can be made more productive and more sustainable, and how they interact with the natural environment. Harper Adams is a specialist agricultural and rural university with extensive farm facilities and strong industry connections, and the practical, applied character of the degree reflects that background.

You will spend significant time working with crops, livestock and farm equipment as well as in the classroom and laboratory.

The agricultural sector is being transformed by precision farming technologies, robotics, satellite data, gene editing and a growing understanding of the role of biodiversity in productive farming. The degree engages with these developments, preparing you for an industry that is changing rapidly.

Graduates work in farm management, agricultural consultancy, agronomy, agri-tech companies, land management, the food supply chain, government agencies and international development organisations. Postgraduate study in agronomy, agroecology, agricultural economics or food science is a common route for those who want to develop specialist expertise.