The course
With a long history in applied livestock research, close links with industry, and highly qualified and experienced staff, Harper Adams is well placed to develop your understanding of sustainable livestock production.
The temperate climate of the UK is ideally suited to pastoral farming and livestock production is essential to the rural economy, with around 57 per cent of UK agricultural output derived from the livestock sector (DEFRA 2020).
In addition to the science and technology associated with modern livestock production, livestock specialists need to understand the animal welfare, food quality and environmental issues facing the industry. They must also be able to evaluate and apply advances in biotechnology to ensure a sustainable future for livestock farmers and a competitive market for animal products.
After a common first year, in your second year you will start to specialise in the area of animal science, studying areas such as farm animal production science, farm animal nutrition, farm animal health and welfare and biotechnology, whilst continuing to study more general aspects of agriculture, such as grass and forage production, waste management and farm business management and economics.
In the final part of the course, your specialisation becomes complete and the focus is on animal science, studying areas such as sustainable animal production systems, advances in animal production science, animal breeding and bioethics, animal product processing and a research project focused on animal science tailored to your interests and ambitions.
The Harper Advantage
- In choosing Harper Adams, you are choosing a trusted name with an outstanding reputation in the agricultural sector, a large agricultural student cohort that allows you to build your network from day one, plus extensive industry connections to support your career development.
- A full placement year in industry as part of your degree, enabling you to put knowledge into practice, develop your network and discover your future ambitions.
- More than 20 placement-scholarships open to students on Agriculture routes – offering guaranteed placement year job and additional financial support, plus a range of non-placement scholarships.
- Our far-reaching academic and industry experience and active involvement in applied livestock research and delivery of professional training to industry, ensures the course is vocationally relevant and up to date.
- 494-hectare farm on the campus – so you will have direct access to a commercial farm.
- Access to subsidised practical skills training and industry recognised certification through the Land-Based Skills Programme.
- Study at the forefront of agri-tech. Harper Adams is home to the School of Sustainable Food and Farming, Hands Free Farm and the Agri-EPI Centre Midlands Innovation Hub where industry and practitioner are working together on the latest precision arable and livestock systems. Scope for student projects related to agri-tech grows every year.
- Common first year means you can change direction in year 1 if you wish.
- Access to Agriculture Programme to enable new entrants to the agricultural sector to qualify alongside those from more rural/agricultural backgrounds without disadvantage.
- Harper Adams students have been named RABDF Dairy Student of the Year six times in the last eight years.
Work experience
Work experience forms an essential part of our entry requirements for this course. Details of the experience we need you to have can be found within the entry requirements listed below.
Find out more about work experience
Access to Agriculture Programme
Applicants to Agriculture courses who are likely to meet the academic entry requirements, but who are identified as having minimal/no practical experience, and/or who are unlikely to meet the minimum practical experience requirements due to non-farm/non-rural background, and/or lack of appropriate contacts, can benefit from the Access to Agriculture Programme to gain the necessary practical experience in their first year of study.
Duration
4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement. A three year programme is available for applicants with at least two years, full-time relevant work experience, or all who have completed a 12 month placement as part of another approved course. Please contact Admissions for further information on this option.