Agriculture
Foundation Degree Agriculture:
- 2 year (UCAS code D402)
- 3 year (UCAS code D403)
Foundation degree in Agriculture
Aberyswyth has specialised in Agriculture and land-based studies for more than 120 years. The University now hosts the prestigious Institute for Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, a centre of excellence central to the agricultural policy and practice of Wales, created with major funding from the Welsh Assembly Governement.
Foundation degrees are vocational qualifications in higher education aiming to bridge the gap between initial entry to higher education and honours degrees, but allowing progression to honours level. The theoretical and practical background of the Institute, and the varied agricuiltural context of west Wales, provide an ideal location for you to get started on the path that leads to higher qualifications and greatly increased employment opportunities in the agricultural and agri-business sector.
Content and Structure
The foundation degree in Agriculture offers an opportunity for those who wish to follow a vocational route to degree level or people who wish to re-train for a career change. The opportunity to progress onto related BSc (Hons) degree courses is available to those who successfully complete this course.
This foundation degree extends the wide range of agricultural courses already provided at Aberystwyth and builds on the recognised expertise of the Institute in applied, vocational courses. This course will provide you with a sound practical and scientific knowledge base to underpin your career in the agricultural industry. The work experience year is an important component of the course, giving you a first-hand opportunity to apply theory in a practical context.
The course places particular emphasis on livestock production systems, grassland management and farm business management, in addition to reflecting the changing role of agriculture in the countryside.
Year 1
The first year of the Foundation degree in Agriculture provides you with a sound underpinning knowledge of animal production systems, soil and crop management, agricultural technology and a systems overview of the agricultural industry.
Work Experience
The course’s vocational nature is reinforced by a structured period of work experience in the agriculture or agri-business sector completed between the first and final year. It is also possible to extend the work placement to a period of 9 months and delay entry into the final year. This is an assessed part of the course and allows you to apply your knowledge in a practical context. The work experience may be tailored to meet your particular interests. A number of our agriculture students chose to work overseas, for example in Canada, New Zealand or Australia, in order to gain experience of agricultural systems in other parts of the world.
Year 2
The aim of your final year is to develop an understanding of the ways that farming systems operate and the impact they have on the rural environment and economy. Topics covered include farm business planning and control, food farming and the environment, animal nutrition and production systems, crop and livestock mechanisation systems.
Progression to BSc (Hons)
Upon successful completion of the foundation degree, students may progress onto the third year of one of our Agriculture (Hons) degree schemes, provided you have met the required entry qualifications.
Career Opportunities
This Foundation Degree will prepare you for a range of agricultural related careers, such as:
- farm management
- technical and advisory services
- rural marketing and agricultural enterprises
- food production/manufacturing enterprises
- research and development