FdSc Agriculture and Farm Management
Whether you wish to manage an agricultural enterprise or farming business, migrate into finance or journalism, or continue studying agriculture and land management, this course will give you the practical, financial and leadership skills you need.
Course overview
You will cover topics such as accounts and economics, animal and crop science, crop production, and farm business management. Right from your first year you will gain an understanding of the agricultural industry, with focused practical studies. You will advance even further with work experience during the summer between your first and second year. You will also have the opportunity to gain relevant practical experience and qualifications through rural skills training at our John Oldacre Rural Innovation Centre.
After successfully completing the Foundation degree you may wish to consider enrolling for additional year of study on the BSc (Hons) Agricultural Management (Top-up) to obtain an Honours degree.
Work placement
You will complete a 10-week period of work experience, usually during the summer between your first and second year, to gain further training and experience in farm management. Not only could you find yourself working for prestigious companies, develop your confidence and gain industry contacts for when you graduate.
This experience helps our graduates develop key employability skills and gain invaluable industry contacts.
Course content
You will be assessed through a wide range of techniques, including research projects, examinations, case studies, business plans, portfolio, presentations and practical skills.
You can also enrol for courses leading to the award of Certificate of Competence.
Timetables
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and societies activities.
Modules
Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Each credit equates to 10 hours of total study time. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Full-time students normally take modules worth 60 credits per 15 week semester but this can vary depending on your elective choice. Part-time students taking proportionally fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 240 credits for the foundation degree as a whole. The overall grade for your foundation degree is based on marks obtained for modules taken at level 4 and level 5 (weighted 30:70) accordingly.
The modules available for this degree are shown below. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Year one
- 1116 Accounts & Economics: Gain an understanding of basic accounting and economic principles
- 1120 Farm Business Management: Understand the initial steps in putting together a farm business management plan
- 1121 General Agriculture: Interrogate the current, topical agricultural issues
- 1123 Mechanisation & Buildings: Explore modern farm machinery, equipment and building options
- 1125 Agriscience: Explore the basic principles of animal and crop anatomy, physiology and nutrition required for product yield and quality
- 1440 Academic and Practical Skills: Learn and try out a range of practical skills used in the land and farming sectors
- 1441 Applied Animal Science: Explore the science underlying animal production
- 1442 Applied Plant Science: Understand crop physiological and biochemical pathways
Year two
- 2131 Work based Learning: Gain practical experience via a work placement to prepare for professional practice
- 2341 Commodities Marketing and Data Handling: Learn about the role of commodities markets in the global economy
- 2342 Farm Business Planning and Operation: Examine the role of farm mechanisation planning, selection, acquisition and management on farm businesses
- 2343 Land, property and woodland management: Learn about the different assets and enterprises on a farm and the factors affecting their relative performance
- 2373 Agronomy: Discuss the agronomic factors which are involved in the production of crops in regenerative, integrated, conventional and sustainable farming systems
- 2375 Livestock Husbandry Systems: Explore approaches to farm animal husbandry and how this impacts farm animal health and welfare
- 2380 Agri-Food Policy and Legislation: Learn about the agri-food policy and its influence on agriculture and food
Disclaimer information
The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.
Careers and graduate destinations
- Farm manager
- Agricultural trader / supplier
- Agricultural insurer
- Journalist
- Research consultant / advisor
"If you are looking into becoming a full-time farmer, this course teaches you everything you need to know about that path, and it prepares you from the very beginning to start thinking like a farmer."
Tatenda Mazorodze, Student
Entry requirements
Typical offers
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:
- A-Level: (example grades CD) – minimum of 56 UCAS tariff points (applicants should have either two A-levels or one A-level and two AS level subjects or equivalent qualifications)
- C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC - Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) at Merit-Pass-Pass
- International Baccalaureate: 24 points
- Access to Higher Education: 45 credits at level 3 of which minimum of 15 must be awarded at Merit or higher. (Pass in Functional Skills level 2 are accepted in lieu of GCSE English & Mathematics)
Other level 3 qualifications will be considered.
Visit the UCAS website to calculate your UCAS Tariff points from the qualifications and grades achieved.
Flexible entry
The University welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. A wide range of qualifications and experience are accepted in order to join University degree programmes. The University always considers evidence of personal, professional (APL) and educational experience, (APEL), which show an ability to meet the demands of their intended programme of study.
Further information
Alternative entry routes are available for a range of other qualifications. Prior experience is also considered, subject to approval by the programme manager and admissions staff.
Read more general information about our entry requirements.
International students will also need to achieve IELTS Academic or equivalent at the appropriate level for your programme of study. English language requirements for international students.
For any further help, please contact our admissions team:
- Email: admissions@rau.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)1285 889912
Fees
2025-26 Applicants
For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per year | £16,950 per year |
For part-time study, please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk for further information.
Please also refer to the funding your time at university page.
Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan 2019/20.
If you are an Irish national you can check if you meet the requirements for Home Fees. Please visit the UKCISA website and consult the pdf guide “England HE – who pays Home Fees”. First check category ‘3 years in Republic of Ireland/UK/Islands, settled in UK’ or ‘Brexit temporary offer for courses starting before 2028: Irish citizens with residence in Europe or overseas territories’. You will possibly need to be fee assessed when you submit an application for study to the RAU.
Scholarships
The University offers a wide range of generous fee waivers and bursaries. To find out more about the these, please visit the bursaries, awards and scholarships page.
Ready to take the plunge? Apply now
Applications should be made by the UCAS deadline to ensure we are able to offer you a place on your first choice course. However, if you have missed the deadline please contact Admissions@rau.ac.uk as there are usually places available.
If you would like to apply during UCAS Extra or Clearing, please check that we have places available.
Applicants wishing to study on a course on a part-time basis will need to apply directly to the RAU.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk to discuss your requirements and obtain an application form.