BSc (Hons) in Agriculture

About the course

The course is delivered at University Centre Myerscough and awarded by the University of Central Lancashire.

Agriculture is an exciting and fast-developing industry, harnessing new science and technology to increase productivity and efficiency on farms. Creative approaches, critical thinking, and innovation are needed to drive forward this longstanding yet resilient industry.

World population is expected to grow by over a third, or 2.3 billion people by 2050 and with this farming faces many challenges: it has to produce more food and fibre to feed a growing population with a smaller rural labour force, more crops for the bioenergy market, and adopt more efficient and sustainable production methods and adapt to climate change (FAO, 2009)

There is a shortage of skilled professionals in a wide variety of positions in the sector who can take on these challenges of new agriculture production, harnessing technology and forging policy. BSc Agriculture aims to help fill this skills shortage giving you a wide knowledge of the industry, along with analytical and problem-solving skills demanded of such roles.

Making use of our Farming and Food Innovation & Technology Centre, this course will focus on livestock and crop production as well as essential business entrepreneurism. The final year options allow you to specialise in either livestock or crops or continue to study a mix of both with an emphasis on sustainable and novel technologies.

Learning and Assessment

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.

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 online learning environment and reference facility.

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. Further to this, subject to interest, International Study Tours may also be offered to farms in Canada, the USA, and Ireland.

Guest speakers often visit and may include industry experts in areas such as crop protection and marketing, agricultural waste management, animal nutrition, livestock technology, AI, and breeding. Attendance at national events and conferences including the British Cattle Breeders annual conference.

There may also be opportunities for students to attend National Farming Seminars held by AHDB, NFU etc. for networking.

What work experience can I get?

There is no formal industry placement on this course, however, students are encouraged to undertake internships offered by local and international firms to help build an attractive C.V.

Progression

On successful completion of the BSc (Hons) programme, students may wish to apply for our MSc Integrated Crop Management course.

Professional Accreditations

Students will be encouraged to form links with local and national agricultural organisations such as Tenant Farmers Association, NFU, Dairy Co, EBLEX, Breed Societies, RASE, agricultural discussion groups and Young Farmers Associations.

Myerscough is one of the UK’s largest land-based and sports colleges, offering degrees in more than 20 exciting subjects. We work in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire and are amongst the top UK institutions in the sector for student satisfaction - helped by exceptional resources and a unique countryside location. Our QAA Higher Education Review puts us amongst the top institutions in the country for quality learning opportunities and good practice teaching. We are very proud that 97% of Myerscough degree students progress to further study or employment.

The campus at Myerscough’s main centre in Preston is quite simply amazing. Set in 600 hectares of open, green surroundings, Myerscough College offers all the facilities you could need for a great time – a great social life, state-of-the-art sports academies and comfortable, easy-going accommodation. We've recently invested upwards of £20 million on-campus developments, providing new sports and changing facilities, new dining facilities, an extension to our Higher Education teaching centre and dedicated Veterinary Nursing, Animal Studies, Rural Skills and Engineering centres. What’s more, you’re in easy reach of all the shopping and nightlife that nearby Preston, Lancaster and Blackpool have to offer.