Agriculture with Foundation Year

Agriculture is the practice and science of growing crops and raising livestock to feed and support human populations, and it is a field undergoing rapid transformation as climate change, population growth, resource constraints and changing consumer expectations demand new approaches to food production. The discipline draws on plant and animal science, soil science, agronomy, environmental science, economics and business management to address questions about how food can be produced efficiently, sustainably and equitably across the full range of farming systems, from intensive arable and livestock operations to organic, regenerative and small-scale farming.

At the University of Reading, one of the UK's leading agricultural universities, this four-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year that provides additional preparation for students before progressing to the full degree. You will study the full range of factors that affect agricultural production and the supply chain while considering the global goals relating to food security, environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Reading's location in the agricultural heartland of southern England, combined with the university's close connections with the farming industry and research institutions, provides an exceptionally rich environment for agricultural study.

You will develop skills in agronomy, livestock management, farm business management and the application of new technologies to farming.

Graduates of agriculture programmes pursue careers as farm managers, agronomists, agricultural consultants, crop scientists, livestock managers, farm business advisers, supply chain professionals and policy officers across the food and farming sector. Many also find roles in agricultural technology companies, conservation organisations, rural development bodies and international agricultural development organisations. Some graduates continue to postgraduate study in agronomy, environmental science, food science or agricultural policy, building on the undergraduate foundation.