MSc Agroecology
The MSc in Agroecology draws on our extensive expertise in combining academic and applied learning to support you to be well-informed, skilled, and confident in contributing to the development of resilient agroecosystems. Our network of professional links and affiliations with agricultural, land-based and environmental initiatives both in the UK and abroad ensures that you gain breadth and depth in your studies, agroecological experience, and research.
Course overview
Agroecology is gaining increased attention today for its contributions to farm and food systems, to social innovation, and to research. Agroecology supports the development of resilient food ecosystems. It does so by drawing on science, social studies, and ecological principles to foster synergies between plants, animals, humans and the wider environment. Central to agroecological initiatives is that they are economically viable, that they support human and social values, and that they are ecologically responsible. The integration of these three domains requires interdisciplinary thinking, observation, innovation, and contextual application.
The MSc Agroecology covers the fundamentals of Agroecology, including its ecological approach to developing and maintaining resilient food systems. You will access and learn from the RAU’s wide network of local and national business links, farms, social enterprises and food system innovators through seminars, site visits and placements.
You will study Agroecology on a campus that has, since its inception 175 years ago, been guided by the founding purpose of ‘caring for the land’ and be taught by lecturers with a breadth of experience in teaching, professional practice, and research. There will be the opportunity to blend on-campus study with site-based experience ensuring that there is a tight link between theory and practice.
Your professional competencies will be developed through dedicated modules which support you in the development of skills and competencies for future – or ongoing – work in the agriculture and environmental sectors. These will include studies in agroecological principles and practices, the role of agroecologically-oriented farm advisors, how farming and land management can make the transition to becoming more agroecological as well as how to contribute to the ecology of the whole food system through policy, practice, and social enterprise.
This course is delivered in partnership with The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.
Course content
You will gain a broader understanding of relevant issues through knowledge acquisition, intellectual enquiry, debate, and team/individual research.
In addition to lectures, you will participate in case studies, seminars and management projects. This approach fosters teamwork and complements individual study and student learning.
Here at the RAU we are always looking for ways to better support our students. We recognise that a number of our students may be working or have caring responsibilities alongside studying which can sometimes make it difficult to attend every teaching session in person. As such we have the ability for you to join lectures and seminars through an alternative digital format in prior discussion with your programme leader. Please note that for international students on a student visa you are expected to attend your classes in person. Remote delivery is not an UKVI authorised mode of attendance for the taught element of your course and therefore non-attendance would affect your student visa.
The in-person teaching sessions will be timetabled on set days so that you can fulfil other commitments you may have, such as work, family and interests. For part-time students the module sessions are timetabled with fewer days a week.
Please note that this type of study participation is only available to registered UK based students due to UKVI visa restrictions.
If you are interested in studying this subject but cannot commit to the full MSc programme it is also possible to study for a Certificate or Diploma in the subject.
What is a Postgraduate Certificate?
The PGCert - or Postgraduate Certificate - is the shortest of our Masters level offerings, which is completed by studying four modules (60 credits). It allows you to study a specific area of the course in depth but takes less time to complete than the MSc or PGDip.
The PGCert is a great way of fitting postgraduate study around a busy life. Full-time students can complete the course in as little as one year. Part-time students can choose to spread the course up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal if you want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.
It can be a great way into a career in a new industry but if you desire to continue your studies, PGCert credits can be used to contribute towards a PGDip or even an MSc qualification later down the line. Completing studies using this route is often likened to building blocks – one step at a time – the first step being a PGCert.
What is a Postgraduate Diploma?
The PGDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is a Masters level course that sits between the PGCert and the full MSc. It allows you to study a subject in depth but without undertaking the Dissertation element. Consequently, it takes substantially less time to complete than the MSc, while still covering the same taught elements. To complete this qualification, you will take eight modules (120 credits).
Full-time students can complete the course in as little as two semesters (one year). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.
The PGDip can be a great way to boost your career, or enter a new industry. We recognise that life can be unpredictable so the PGDip is built to be as flexible as possible. Should you desire to continue your studies, PGDip credits can be used to contribute towards an MSc qualification later down the line. Conversely, if you need to cut your studies short for any reason, it is also possible to convert the PGDip to a PGCert after the completion of four modules.
Please note, Visa students must be full-time (a min of 15 hours per week) and will need to attend all sessions in person due to UKVI visa requirements.
The modules available for this course 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.
Modules
- 4745 Fundamentals of Agroecology:
- 4744 Organic and Regenerative Systems:
- 4756 Applied Farmland Ecology (FWAG):
- 4746 Agroecology Principles in Practice:
- 4038a Integrated Agricultural Systems: Explore complex systems including agroforestry, regenerative agriculture and vertical farming
- 4203 Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply: Examine how small scale farmers contribute to food systems on a national and global scale
- 4413 Research Skills: Develop research competencies related to data collection and analysis
- 4414 Research Dissertation: Undertake an independent research project with guidance from a supervisor
Plus a choice of TWO elective modules:
- 4722 Climate Change and Sustainability: Critically assess the causes and impacts of climate change
- 4727 Managing Global Soils in a Changing Climate: Understand the fundamentals of soil processes key to protecting this precious resource
- 4747 Management of Woodlands and the Natural Environment: Create a planting or management plan for real world plantation forest or semi-natural woodland
The availability of electives to individual students will be dependent on timetabling considerations and on sufficient students electing to take part.
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
The skills gained throughout the programme will set you up to work in the following areas:
- Policy
- Advisory
- Food chain
- Retain
- Production
- Research
- Educational services
- Further higher education study
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from applicants with non-standard qualifications who are able to demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace or elsewhere and which are relevant to the programme of study. Applicants will need to use their personal statement to provide further details supported by a CV. All non-standard applications will be considered by the Programme Manager on a case-by-case basis and applicants can expect that an interview may be required as part of the admissions process.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our English language requirements for the level of study. For postgraduate taught programmes this is IELTS Academic min. overall 6.5 with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent). English language tests usually have a validity of two years from the date the test is taken.
Offers will typically be made in line with the academic requirements set out above. Offers can be conditional or unconditional. An unconditional offer will be made to applicants who have already met the conditions and provided evidence that conditions have been met. Where academic or language requirements have not yet been fulfilled, applicants will receive a conditional offer stating the requirements that must be met.
Fees
2024-25 Applicants (including January 2025)
For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £10,950 per year | £18,050 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage |
For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for the PGDip are:
| UK | Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £7,300 per year | £12,033 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for the PGCert are:
| UK | Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £3,650 per year | £6,017 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
2025-26 Applicants
For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for the MSc are:
| UK | Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £11,500 per year | £22,000 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage |
For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for the PGDip are:
| UK | Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £7,700 per year | £14,700 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for the PGCert are:
| UK | Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £3,850 per year | £7,350 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan 2019/20.
For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.
Please note: International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Student Visa/Tier 4 General) that allows them to undertake part-time study and their visa does not expire prior to the end date of the proposed course of study.
Scholarships
The University offers a range of generous fee waivers and bursaries. To find out more about the scholarships, awards and bursaries available, please visit the scholarships webpage.
Apply now for January 2025 or September 2025 entry
Applications to study for postgraduate degrees need to be made directly through the University using the online application form via the website.
Alternatively, if you are unable access the online form you can call Admissions on 01285 889 912, or email admissions@rau.ac.uk.
We recommend applicants keep a copy of the completed form for their records.
Application deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants should submit their application by 30 June 2025 at the latest
- UK applicants should aim to submit their applications the latest by 1 September 2025
Results deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants will need to meet their conditions by 1 August 2025
- UK applicants will need to meet their conditions by 15 September 2025
Application deadline, January entry:
- EU and overseas applicants requiring a study visa should submit their application by 1 December 2024 at the latest, applications received after this may be considered for September entry
- UK applicants should aim to submit their applications the latest by 6 January 2025
Results deadline, January entry:
- EU and overseas applicants will need to meet their conditions by 9 December 2024
- UK applicants will need to meet their conditions by 8 January 2025
If you are applying for a 2024 Chevening Scholarship you can submit your scholarship application prior to receiving a course offer. Further details can be found on the application timeline and eligibility criteria sections on the Chevening website.
Applicants will be notified via email once a decision has been made and decision letters will be emailed to you. If there is a deadline by which applicants must accept an offer of admission or pay a deposit, this will be stated in the offer letter.
Requests to defer the year of entry will be considered only when an applicant holds an Unconditional offer and need to be submitted in writing to the admissions team. We cannot guarantee that requests will be granted. Decisions on deferral requests are considered:
- For September entry at the end of August
- For January entry at the end of January
If the deferral request is granted applicants will receive a new offer letter with tuition fees which are applicable to their year of entry, at the opening of the next admissions cycle.