Agriculture with Animal Science
D4D3 - BSc Honours Degree
4 years including 9 months of work experience
Agriculture with Animal Science at Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth has a long established reputation throughout the farming world for its teaching and research in agriculture. Land-based studies have been taught here for over 120 years; and Aberyswyth has made major contributions to crop optimisation in both arable farming and stock-rearing. Agriculture courses are provided by the University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences which is also the home of the Farm Business Survey for Wales and the Organic Centre Wales. The University farms, which are managed commercially by the Institute as well as being used for teaching and research, extend over 1,000 hectares (2500 acres) and provide an excellent resource for learning. You will also benefit from the Institute's outstanding range of expertise and resources, including world class laboratories, farms, animal houses and staff. We are the largest and best resourced land based University department in the UK.
Key Features
- 4 year full-time course (including 1 year Industrial Placement)
- Combination of science, production and management methods
- Visits and study tours
- Enthusiastic and supportive staff
- Location in one of the UK’s leading localities for agricultural research and development
Content and Structure
Year 1
The first year of the Agriculture and Animal Science degree course includes a general introduction to agriculture, studying animal production systems, animal science, crop science, cereal crop management and agricultural engineering, together with an introduction to the rural economy and habitat ecology.
Years 2 and 4
In the second and fourth year of your Agriculture and Animal Science degree, you have the opportunity to pursue more specialist options. While studying core topics such as livestock and crop systems, farm planning and business management, animal breeding, livestock nutrition, animal production science and food, farming and the environment, you will also have the opportunity to specialize through the choice of options which include the study of animal health, reproductive physiology, the management and health of organic livestock, advanced ruminant nutrition and livestock and crop mechanisation.
A significant feature of the final year is the Honours Dissertation which provides you with an opportunity to specialize through investigating a topic of your own choice. A tour to study agriculture in a different region is also an option in the final year.
Work Experience in Agrciulture and Animal Science 
The third year of this Agriculture with Animal Science degree is a period of work experience which is integral to both parts of the course. Its aim is to relate science and economics to current practice in the agricultural and ainmal science industry.
The knowledge and skills gained during work experience make valuable contributions to your final-year studies and will help improve your employability on graduation. Work experience may be tailored to meet your particular requirements and cover farm management, the agricultural support sector or research and development. Each year a number of students take the opportunity to gain work experience overseas.
It may be possible to gain partial exemption based on appropriate prior work experience.
Teaching and Learning
The Agriculture with Animal Science degree scheme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, projects and case studies, complemented by visits to farms, research stations and agribusinesses throughout the UK. You will be assessed through course work based on assignments, projects, essays and seminars, in addition to written examinations.
Career Opportunities related to you Agriculture with Animal Science degree
Graduates from our Agriculture and Animal Science degrees have made successful careers in many areas of agriculture and agricultural-related industries, including farm management, advisory agencies, agricultural financing, food processing and production, and farm supply companies. Some have also diversified into industries and organisations unrelated to agriculture, because the skills developed through your studies and work experience are readily transferable to many graduate employment situations.