PGCert Regenerative Farming
The programme 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 and agroecological experience.
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.
If you are interested in studying Agroecology but cannot commit to the full MSc programme then studying for a Certificate (PGCert) may be the route for you. It is designed to give learners a broad and thorough grounding in the sector to pursue a variety of careers.
What is a Postgraduate Certificate?
The PGCert - or Postgraduate Certificate – is the shortest of our Postgraduate level offerings, which is completed by studying four modules (60 credits). It allows you to study business skills in depth but takes less time to complete than the MSc or Postgraduate Diploma.
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 to boost your career or enter 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.
*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.
Course content
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.
Course structure
Our PGCert is designed to be ultra-accessible. All classes are offered both in person and synchronously online, with session recordings available for students unable to attend a particular session.
Timetables
Timetables are normally available one month before registration.
Modules
- 4745 Fundamentals of Agroecology: Study how agroecology addresses the issues of climate change, food supply and security and the importance of ecological and regenerative approaches to farming and the environment
- 4744 Organic and Regenerative Systems: Understand the agroecological principles and practices of organic and regenerative systems
- 4756 Applied Farmland Ecology (FWAG): Understand and evaluate the effects of different farming systems on the ecological landscape
- 4746 Agroecology Principles in Practice: Explore ecological intensification and the associated principles of agroecology that can be applied in agricultural landscapes to support sustainable food production
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
It also provides an excellent grounding for further academic study, for example at PGDip or MSc level.
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 2 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 | £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 this course are:
| UK | *Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £3,800 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 |
*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. Please check your Visa eligibility before applying.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your eligibility.
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.
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 2025 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.
Please choose a course from the options below to apply.