Agri-Business

The course

Whether your future is in farming itself, or in one of the many related business areas, this course gives you the depth of understanding and breadth of skills for assured decision making and confident, capable management.

Our BSc /BSc (Hons) Agribusiness Management is ideal for those who want to work in agriculture but want the potential to develop their opportunities right across the sector. This may include farm management, managing in agri-tech, agricultural haulage and supply chains, and the many  organisations and businesses that make up the wider picture of of agriculture in the UK and internationally. Our integrated approach to agribusiness will equip you with the skills, knowledge and understanding specific to the agricultural sector and supplement this through the development of transferrable skills that will increase your career opportunities and potential.

You will experience a blend of academic and practical learning, with time spent on our own 500 hectare mixed farm, backed up with a fascinating range of events and activities that get you working alongside successful agribusinesses. You will try your hand at finding real-world solutions and meet leading industry experts from a range of sustainable, competitive agribusinesses, and youll spend a transformative placement year working in industry.

Along with essential practical, technical skills you will also be learning invaluable soft skills that employers rate so highly, such as communication, team work, creativity, motivation and leadership. The modules that make up the degree are assessed in a variety of ways to allow you demonstrate your capabilities including real-world projects, team challenges, portfolios of achievements, business writing and research, and you will manage your learning with the support of focused, frequent feedback.

As you progress through your degree you will develop your capabilities in commercial thinking in the agribusiness sector, along with business planning, and management, and in your final year youll be working at a strategic level. Youll develop a deep understanding of organisations and the roles within them and learn with the skills required for successful entrepreneurship too, preparing you to confidently take your next step into an agribusiness management career.

New programme for 2023

This is one of a series of Harper Adams undergraduate courses undergoing a curriculum refresh to ensure they provide the best content and experience for students and deliver excellent graduates into industry.

Definitive course information will be shared as soon as it is available. The route is currently subject to validation and subject to accreditation. Use the register interest button to sign up and receive full course information as soon as it is available. 

Duration

4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement. A three-year programme is available for applicants with at least two years of full-time relevant work experience. Please contact Admissions for further information on this option.

Teaching and learning

What you study

The course will provide you with business knowledge that is related to the farm and the agricultural sector. There will be modules on crops and animals in the first year supported by a range of business modules which will be developed in subsequent years to give you an all-round view and understanding of the agri-business sector.

Teaching and learning

Learning at Higher Education level is a big step up from further education so we make sure you get lots of advice and support. Everyone learns differently and in the workplace you’ll need to work in different ways, so we make sure our courses test you in every way possible. Therefore, you will attend lectures and tutorials, undertake regular hands-on practical work for example, reviewing crop growth in the fields or handling sheep, sit exams, and complete coursework assignments. Topics are designed carefully based on real-world situations, such as choosing a commodity of your choice e.g. beef, lamb, poultry and preparing a talk to overseas visitors on methods used in the UK. All students undertake a major project in their final year concentrating on a topic that is of particular interest to them.

* During the Covid-19 Pandemic the University is delivering blended learning. Government guidance is being constantly reviewed to establish the learning events which can be delivered face to face. Please refer to our frequently asked questions for further details.

Assessment methods

Assessment is via a balance of course work and examination. Students receive written feedback on all course work to help them improve. In addition, first-year students undertake an examination in one subject at the end of the first term to enable them to gauge how they are progressing and feedback is provided on this exam. Coursework may be reports, presentations or portfolios and may be produced individually or in a team.  All students will complete an individual project in their final year.

If you need a visa for undergraduate or postgraduate study, you must show evidence that your English Language skills are at B2 level on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).

This can be demonstrated by obtaining any of the following qualifications for direct entry on to undergraduate, postgraduate or research qualifications:

There are opportunities for graduates in many areas of the agricultural sector including farm inputs and outputs, commodity trading, sales, marketing, research, finance or consultancy.

These positions may take you anywhere in the country or the world. Depending on your chosen route you may choose to be more hands-on with agriculture or providing advice and guidance to farmers on what to produce. There is a wide choice in this diverse, challenging sector.