PGDip in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
This course will equip you with the specialist knowledge and skills needed by governments, NGOs, commercial companies, and farms as they respond to some of today's biggest challenges within the agriculture and food sectors.
Course overview
You will delve into critical issues such as the human exploitation of the Earth’s resources, poverty alleviation and food security, and the ethical and cultural implications of policy development. You will study five core modules covering understanding and improving agricultural and food supply systems. You can then select three electives to enable further specialisation including crops, livestock, management, and different system approaches.
If you are interested in studying Agriculture but cannot commit to the full MSc programme then studying for a Diploma (PGDip) 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 Diploma?
The PGDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is an MSc 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.
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 PGDip 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
- 4038a Integrated Agricultural Systems: Explore complex systems including agroforestry, regenerative agriculture and vertical farming
- 4201 Poverty and Food Security: Examine the inter-relationships between poverty and food security
- 4250 International Rural Development: Critically engage with normative and historical concepts of development theory and practice
- 4409 Facing the global challenges in food and agriculture: Discuss challenges affecting food production, including the global population increase and the energy crisis
- 4727 Managing Global Soils in a Changing Climate: Understand the fundamentals of soil processes key to protecting this precious resource
PLUS a choice of THREE elective modules (all modules 15 credits each):
- 4203 Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply: Examine how small scale farmers contribute to food systems on a national and global scale
- 4262 Sustainable Business Strategy: Investigate how businesses can embed sustainability into their core business models
- 4263 Entrepreneurship and Business Planning: Understand and critically evaluate the linkages between entrepreneurship and venture creation, development and growth
- 4744 Organic and Regenerative Systems: Understand the agroecological principles and practices of organic systems
- 4722 Climate Change and Sustainability: Critically assess the causes and impacts of climate change
- 4723 Crop Technology and Innovation: Gain an understanding of the various technologies applied to improve crop production globally
- 4755 Environmental Science and Technology in Agriculture: Develop practical skills in interpreting environmental data within agricultural contexts
- 4726 Livestock Production Technology and Innovation: Appraise the science behind different livestock technologies and evaluate their benefits, disadvantages and applications in different real-life systems
* Optional additions to the course will incur additional charges
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
- International organisations - United Nations (UN), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) etc
- Government departments in various countries
- NGOs internationally - Envrionment Agency, National Farmers' Union (NFU), Country Landowners Association (CLA) etc
- Research institutes
It also provides an excellent grounding for further academic study, for example at 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 | £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 |
2025-26 Applicants
For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for this course 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 |
*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.