Advanced Training Partnership (ATP) for Sustainable and Efficient Food Production MSc Distance Learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The Advanced Training Partnership MSc in Sustainable and Efficient Food production is designed to address the high level skills needs of the agri-food industry. The Partnership is funded by BBSRC and consists of , Bangor University (BU) and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). In this highly interdisciplinary Masters in Sustainable and Efficient Food Production, you will be exposed to cutting edge research in a range of subject areas, taught by world-class experts from the partnership. The superb teaching staff and industry experts’ maintain active national and international research programmes in their specialist subjects and ensure that every exciting development is brought into the course material.
The ATP MSc in Sustainable and Efficient Food Production course is delivered via distance learning, and is therefore flexible around your work and home life commitments. It has been designed around those in full time employment and includes work based assignments and research projects. Lectures are delivered in the form of podcasts and easy to digest PDF’s to make it easier to learn on the go. You will develop your skills in critical analysis and evaluation techniques. Assignments within the course will develop your interpretive and creative thinking skills. In addition to this you will gain skills in research, planning, fieldwork techniques and communicating information to a variety of audiences.
The entry requirement for the MSc in Sustainable and Efficient Food Production by distance learning is a first class or 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline. Or for non-graduate candidates with equivalent work based experience, you must be: over 26, be educated to GCSE A level and have 24 months relevant employment experience.
Due to generous funding by BBSRC there are bursaries available against fee’s, available to those employed within the agri-food industry. Bursary eligibility criteria can be found on the ATP Website.
Overview
Jointly delivered by Aberystwyth and Bangor University, this Advanced Training Partnership (ATP) will centre on increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact within the extensive pasture-based production sector. The programme provides flexible, accessible, postgraduate level training for people employed in the agri-food sector. Training comprises workshops, distance learning modules and work-based research projects. These are accessible as CPD or as credit-bearing units, which can be built towards a range of postgraduate qualifications. Generous bursaries are available to those employed in the UK agri-food sector.
Advanced Training Partnership (ATP) for Sustainable and Efficient Food Production. Workshops and distance learning modules can be accessed as CPD or built towards Postgraduate qualifications.
Modules include: Ruminant Nutrition, Improved Silage, Improving Animal Production, Improved Forage and Feed, Upland Farming Systems, Soil Management, Sustainable Grassland Systems, Carbon Footprinting and Lifecycle Analysis.
Course Duration: Maximum 5 years for MSc
At a glance
Workshops and distance-learning modules (subject to approval) include:
- Silage Science (AU) - This module will develop the trainee’s knowledge of modern forage and grain ensilage systems; and their skill to integrate recent research into their work.
- Improved Feed and Forage (AU) - The role of novel feeds and forages in improving animal production, whilst helping to meet and mitigate climate change challenges, will be evaluated.
- Improving Animal Production (AU) - The focus of this module is ruminants: reproductive technology, genetic improvement, dairy cattle production systems, meat production systems, meat and milk quality, and disease prevention and management.
- Ruminant Nutrition (AU) - Trainees will develop understanding of: Digestion and metabolism of nutrients, ecology of the rumen and methods used to modify it; and methods used to modify characteristics of meat and milk.
- Sustainable Grassland Systems (AU) - Trainees will develop in depth knowledge of pasture based systems and learn to develop management plans towards optimizing meat/milk quality and yields; and conservation requirements. The potential of new forage crops will be explored.
- Carbon Footprinting and Life Cycle Assessment (BU) - This module will provide a theoretical and critical analysis of the practice and application of Carbon Footprinting (CF) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as key tools in assessing the environmental impact of agricultural systems.
- Soil Management (BU) - This training will equip delegates to undertake soil quality assessments both in the field and laboratory, critically evaluate the results, and utilise these in the design of sustainable soil management regimes.
- Upland Farming Systems (BU) - Trainees will gain insight into the UK’s upland farming systems and the pressures upon them. They will identify drivers of change and viable responses to these.
Career prospects
This course is aimed at people already employed in the agri-food sector. It has been developed in collaboration with industry and is intended to provide specialist input and career progression for employees.
Fact File
| Duration: | 20 weeks for one module and up to five years by distance learning to complete a full MSc. Intakes begin three weeks after introductory workshop. On average you should expect to spend 6 hours of directed learning a week based on a 10 week completion time. |
| Contact Time: | Our modules begin with an introductory two day workshop, which take place in a central UK location such as Birmingham. For the rest of the course you will be working through specifically designed distance learning material, supported by the course tutor. |
| Assessment: | Modules assessments vary between topics and this information can be found out by visiting the ATP website. |
| Entry Requirements: |
All of our workshops and modules are taught at postgraduate level (Level 7). Candidates must hold at least a second class Honours degree in agricultural or biological science, or a closely related discipline. However, applications from mature candidates with relevant experience will be considered on a case by case basis. Non-graduates must be:
Relevant experience will be determined by the university. If you have employment experience which you consider may be equivalent to a degree, please give details of positions held, dates of employment, responsibilities within the position held and employer contact details on a separate sheet. |
| English Language Requirements | If you have a Bachelor’s degree from a UK University, you do not need to take an English proficiency test. Non-native English speakers who do not meet this requirement must take a University-recognised test of academic English language proficiency. For further information please see our English Language requirements page. |
| Course Fees |
Two day workshop £580 or £116 for those eligible for a bursary Bursary eligibility information can be found here: www.atp-pasture.org.uk |
Apply
You can apply by completing and forwarding the forms below to:
Martine Spittle
ATP Admissions Room 0.19
New IBERS Building, Penglais Campus
Aberystwyt
Ceredigion SY23 3DA
ATP Application Guidance Notes
ATP Application Form
PG Reference Form
ATP Bursary Application Form
NB. If you believe you may be eligible for a bursary, please ensure you also complete the bursary application form.
Contact Us
ATP course enquiries
Tel: +44 (0)1970 823224
Email: atp-enquiries@aber.ac.uk
Martine Spittle
Advanced Training Partnership Coordinator
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
Aberystwyth University
Room 0.19, New IBERS Building
Penglais Campus
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion SY23 3DA
Tel: +44 (0)1970 621562
E-mail: rjs@aber.ac.uk
Mrs Jenny Mills
Advanced Training Partnership
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
Aberystwyth University
Room 0.19 New IBERS Building
Penglais Campus Aberystwyth
Ceredigion SY23 3DA
Tel: +44(0)1970 823029
E-mail: jem25@aber.ac.uk
