BSc (Hons) Sustainable Agriculture (Top-up)

About the course

The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire. The course is a specialised route to top-up to an Honours Degree for those who have a passion for livestock farming and the associated industries and who hold a Foundation Degree or HND in an agricultural related subject or who have completed two years of the BSc Agriculture programme at Myerscough.

Students explore issues affecting sustainable agriculture at both a global and UK level, along with using new and emerging technologies to manage livestock effectively for high welfare and profit. Five modules are studied, allowing for critical analysis of the underpinning science that will shape the future for agriculture. It is designed to enable successful students to develop key employability skills and prepare for a successful career in the UK livestock and arable sectors or overseas.

Note: applicants will need to demonstrate skills in research methods at level 5 to enable them to progress smoothly onto the programme. Those applicants whose previous programme of study has not covered research skills at the appropriate level will be asked to complete a bridging module "Research Methods", which may be taken during the summer prior to entry onto the final year BSc.

Year 1

Year 1

Research Project (Double module)

An opportunity for a student to pursue an in-depth study of the student's own choice which is related to their substantive areas of study. Students will work independently, under limited supervision, in order to develop and demonstrate their research and academic skills and abilities. The dissertation will normally be based on an academic topic using primary and/or secondary data collection techniques. In both cases academic theory is to be critically evaluated and applied to the research topic.

Business, Leadership and Supply Chain Management (Option)

This module takes a holistic view of the food and farming sector and evaluates the agriculture supply chain to identify where and how most efficiencies are made. The UK’s agricultural productivity, its performance and competitiveness with other countries and the impact this has on UK Agriculture in a global market will also be explored. Students will develop the ability to identify and evaluate innovation, technology and management opportunities that will lead to improved productivity and competitiveness, essentially contributing to a sustainable agriculture industry.

Developments in Global Land Use (Option)

A module that critically evaluates the issues with current global land uses. In particular, it will focus on subjects such as climate change, energy use, water management and soil degradation and how current techniques could be altered to achieve lower impacts. Students will explore the methods by which changes in rural land uses can ameliorate environmental change and point to a more sustainable future.

Advances in Crop and Livestock Technology (Option)

This module considers advances in science and technology to optimise integrated farm management for livestock and crop production. Drivers for change, both internal and external to the industry, will be analysed and their future influence debated. Students will develop critical evaluation skills to establish how science and high-cost investments should be utilised and managed and gain awareness of science and technology sectors for potential future employment opportunities.

Sustainable Crop Science

This module takes a holistic approach on the development and application of innovative techniques needed for sustainable crop production in the UK and worldwide, ensuring food security and a sustainable environment for future generations. Students will explore the advances in the application of emerging sustainable technologies and practices in crop production, including soil management, water use efficiency, plant nutrition, crop protection and crop improvement.

Sustainable Livestock Science

Students will explore the advances in the application of scientific research to emerging sustainable extensive and intensive livestock production systems, including water and feed use efficiency, animal nutrition and breeding.

Entry requirements & additional information

Entry requirements

Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject or 2 years (one at Level 4 and the other at Level 5) of Honours Degree work in a related discipline achieved at 'pass' standard or above. Applicants with alternative equivalent qualifications will also be considered positively. Applicants must also produce evidence of successfully completing a research based module at level 5.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must be able to demonstrate proof of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at level 6.0 (with no component score lower than 5.5) or equivalent.

All offers may be subject to successful interview

Learning and assessment

Learning activities on the course are diverse, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops.

This course makes use of the extensive on-site research facilities and the College farms.

Students are expected to undertake extensive independent study and research to support lectures, seminars and assessments. Group work and group presentations form an important part of the course. Students will have access to specialist IT hardware and software, an on-line learning environment and reference facility.

Students will face a variety of assessments including examinations, essays, debates, assignments, technical reports, group and individual presentations, individual study projects and industry based case studies.

Additional Information:

Study trips may include visits to a variety of successful agricultural livestock and arable enterprises in the Cumbria, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Wirral areas. These farm businesses have welcomed Myerscough student visits to supplement the learning in specific modules. Farm diversification and commercial energy generation projects may also be visited including wind farms, large scale anaerobic digestion units and biomass plants.

Attendance at national events and conferences including British Cattle Breeders annual conference, Cereals, Dairytech, Croptec Potato Industry Event etc . There may also be opportunities for students to attend National Farming Seminars held by AHDB, NFU etc. for networking. Further to this, subject to interest, International Study Tours may also be offered to farms in Canada, USA and Ireland where possible.

Guest speakers often visit and may include industry experts in areas such as crop production, crop protection and marketing, agricultural waste management, animal nutrition, livestock technology, AI and breeding.

What work experience can I get?

Through core modules and electives students will gain hands on experience in a variety of scenarios to build skills that can be used in a working environment.

Progression

On successful completion of the course, students may apply for further qualifications such as MSc, M Phil or PhD

Careers

Graduates will be in a position to apply for posts available in the agricultural industry (and other related industries) including:

Agricultural finance and insurance

Agricultural journalism

Agricultural or crop or Livestock Research

Agronomist

Animal Nutritionists

Consultants

Contractor

Farm Business Advisor

Feed Sales Management

Field Trials Officer

Food Supply Chain Manager

Lecturers

Livestock Breeding specialist

Livestock specialist

Sales Representative/Consultant

Veterinary Drugs Representative

Professional accreditations

Students will be encouraged to develop and maintain links with local and national agricultural organisations such Tenant Farmers Association, NFU, AHDB, EBLEX, Breed Societies, NBA, NSA, RASE, Soil Association, agricultural discussion groups and Young Farmers Associations

Special requirements

Extra Costs:

Additional costs for items that are essential for the course:

Waterproofs, safety boots, wellingtons and overalls - £100

Additional costs for opportunities and items that are optional for the course include:

Conferences - £100
Field trips and visits (including possible overseas trips) - £1,100

Agriculture

Myerscough College is one of the leading institutions for Agriculture in the UK. Our courses will help prepare you for a career in the industry, by combining relevant background skills with the knowledge of crop and livestock technology as well as business enterprise.

There is currently a significant demand for highly trained and well educated professionals to enter the industry. This has been fuelled by the increasing awareness that food production, farming, tourism, the environment and rural affairs are all interconnected.

Endless Opportunities

Students will get the chance to undertake work experience during their studies.

In the past, students have gone to New Zealand or Australia to do sheep and dairy work, with others heading west to Canada and the United States. Such experiences not only help students develop their knowledge and skills but they also prove valuable in terms of improving future employment prospects.

Experienced Staff

The expertise of the agriculture team at Myerscough College is second to none. The team consists of agriculturalists with a range of specialisms, ecologists, conservationists and game specialists who will all offer their wealth of experience and knowledge to students studying at the College.

Our new £3m FFIT (Food and Farming Innovation Technology) Centre

£3m Food and Farming Innovation Technology Development

The new Food and Farming Innovation and Technology centre at Lodge Farm will create a centre of excellence to develop state-of-the- art precision farming techniques within the livestock and grassland sectors. The two storey building will incorporate specialist teaching, demonstration and research facilities, including a Livestock Innovation Centre and the latest grassland equipment, livestock feeding technologies, hybrid tractor power units and crop/field trials equipment.

Latest news, Agriculture

They say: Nicola Chappelhow

"Myerscough gave me a great understanding of different types of agriculture and set me up nicely for my job as a milk recorder."

Alumni – Oliver McEntyre

To anyone looking to study Agriculture or Countryside at Myerscough College, I’d say go, embrace it & leave with the knowledge that the qualification will stay with you for the rest of your career and open doors that might not have been opened without the time and experience Myerscough offers.

Meet Oliver

Myerscough College student with plants in the college laboratory.

Access to Higher Education

Gain the skills and confidence to study a degree even if you don’t hold the relevant entry qualifications. Step into the land-based industries with our Access to HE Diploma at University Centre Myerscough.

Find out more

Our Partnership with UCLan

All our Higher Education programmes are awarded by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Myerscough College is an Associate School of the University of Central Lancashire, a dynamic, vibrant and contemporary university located in Preston city centre. UCLan is one of the largest universities in the UK with world-leading and internationally excellent research areas. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.