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The School of Agriculture, Policy and Development has expertise spanning agriculture, animal science, international development, environmental management, food marketing and consumer behaviour.

Founded in 1892, we’ve been contributing to teaching and research in agriculture and related fields for more than a century. Our research expertise is woven into our teaching, providing students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen career or further study.

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was internationally recognised, with 91% of our work in international development rated as internationally excellent, along with 80% of our work in agriculture and agri-food economics.

Each year we teach more than 800 students from around 80 countries, creating a truly international community of undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students.

Our academics and graduates are tackling some of the biggest issues of the 21st century aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including sustainable food production, biodiversity conservation, animal welfare, food security, poverty alleviation, international development, climate change adaption and mitigation, ethical food systems, consumer behaviour, diet and health.

Our academic departments

 Trolley in a supermaket

Agri-Food Economics and Marketing

Studying sustainable food system transformation – from production to consumer behaviour – to protect the environment and improve human health.

 Group of cows

Animal Sciences

Increasing the sustainability of animal production and exploring the links between food and consumer health. 

 Close up of wheat plant

Crop Science

Tackling key issues such as sustainable intensification of crop production, breeding for climate resilience, and horticultural growing technologies and systems.
 Walking across a marsh

International Development

Enabling sustainable futures through research, partnership and training on the critical interfaces between agriculture, people and development.

 Long shot of a field

Sustainable Land Management

Co-developing land management practices to simultaneously address agricultural and environmental challenges.

 Group gathering outside

Our research

Our research is driven by key global challenges and aligns closely with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are the 3rd highest placed UK University (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 – Agriculture and Forestry) for teaching and research. Ranked 27th in the world. 

Image credit: V. Atakos (©CCAFS)

Our facilities

Explore our extensive, specialist facilities – from arable and dairy farms to analytical laboratories.

 Lecturers hand holding a board pen

Meet the team

We have a diverse team of experts across five academic departments.