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2022/23
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Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • Pharmacy
  • Physician Associate

Subjects A-B

  • Accounting
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  • Wildlife Conservation
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BSc Agriculture with a Placement Year

  • UCAS code
    D401
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2023/24
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Our BSc Agriculture course covers everything that impacts production in the supply chain while considering global goals relating to sustainability.

The University of Reading is the highest-ranking UK university in this subject area and ranked 11th in the world for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 - Agriculture & Forestry).

BSc Agriculture focuses on studying the science underpinning food production, and you will learn how to use biology and technology to maximise crop and animal production to meet targets and achieve environmental objectives, while gaining valuable practical skills. 

Pathways 

Our agriculture programme also offers you distinct opportunities to specialise. You can study a broad-based agriculture course, or specialise in crops, horticulture or livestock after your first year. If you select a mix of optional modules in your second and third years, you will graduate with our highly esteemed broad-based BSc Agriculture degree. 

If you choose the crop science, horticultural science or livestock production pathway through your optional module selection, and complete your final year independent research project in your specialist area, you’ll be eligible to graduate with one of the following specialist degrees:

  • BSc Agriculture and Crop Science
  • BSc Agriculture and Horticultural Science
  • BSc Agriculture and Livestock Production

You don’t need to choose whether to take a specialist pathway until the end of the first year of our BSc Agriculture course, giving you the time and flexibility to decide what suits you best.

As part of the degree all students can study globally recognised farming practices on the University's own farms. These include livestock production (Centre for Dairy Research and the Department of Animal Sciences), agronomy and horticulture (Crops Research Unit and Department of Crop Science) and environmental enhancement (Department of Sustainable Land Management and Centre for Agri-Environmental Research).

You'll have the opportunity to visit a wide range of local farming businesses, rural estates and businesses in the related sectors and hear from speakers at the forefront of the industry, from agronomists to those involved in the livestock and dairy sectors, giving you the chance to network and build relationships while you learn. Previous visits have included Waitrose’s Leckford Estate, Syngenta and NIAB TAG. 

In one of our most popular modules you will grow a winter cereal, test it in the lab for quality and then sell it to merchants. You will also complete a residential study tour within the UK to look at different farming enterprises as part of this degree. 

In the final year, your independent research project allows you to choose a subject that inspires and interests you. This could involve a farm, including your home farm, research at the University or an enterprise that you’ve had contact with during the course. 

Outside of the curriculum, the student-run Agri-club runs the UK’s largest student conference. It gives you the opportunity to debate key issues like food security and self-sufficiency and get your voice heard. 

For more information, please visit the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development website. 

Placement 

This degree includes a year in industry between the second and final year. 

In the past, students have undertaken their year in industry in the UK with Frontier Agriculture, Greenvale AP Ltd, and Waitrose and Partners, as well as internationally, in Europe and New Zealand. You will be supported by our Placements Team who will assist with finding and supporting your year out. 

Some students can also participate in six-week summer placements linked to research undertaken at the University, which are generally completed before the final year. 

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Overview

Our BSc Agriculture course covers everything that impacts production in the supply chain while considering global goals relating to sustainability.

The University of Reading is the highest-ranking UK university in this subject area and ranked 11th in the world for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 - Agriculture & Forestry).

BSc Agriculture focuses on studying the science underpinning food production, and you will learn how to use biology and technology to maximise crop and animal production to meet targets and achieve environmental objectives, while gaining valuable practical skills. 

Learning

Pathways 

Our agriculture programme also offers you distinct opportunities to specialise. You can study a broad-based agriculture course, or specialise in crops, horticulture or livestock after your first year. If you select a mix of optional modules in your second and third years, you will graduate with our highly esteemed broad-based BSc Agriculture degree. 

If you choose the crop science, horticultural science or livestock production pathway through your optional module selection, and complete your final year independent research project in your specialist area, you’ll be eligible to graduate with one of the following specialist degrees:

  • BSc Agriculture and Crop Science
  • BSc Agriculture and Horticultural Science
  • BSc Agriculture and Livestock Production

You don’t need to choose whether to take a specialist pathway until the end of the first year of our BSc Agriculture course, giving you the time and flexibility to decide what suits you best.

As part of the degree all students can study globally recognised farming practices on the University's own farms. These include livestock production (Centre for Dairy Research and the Department of Animal Sciences), agronomy and horticulture (Crops Research Unit and Department of Crop Science) and environmental enhancement (Department of Sustainable Land Management and Centre for Agri-Environmental Research).

You'll have the opportunity to visit a wide range of local farming businesses, rural estates and businesses in the related sectors and hear from speakers at the forefront of the industry, from agronomists to those involved in the livestock and dairy sectors, giving you the chance to network and build relationships while you learn. Previous visits have included Waitrose’s Leckford Estate, Syngenta and NIAB TAG. 

In one of our most popular modules you will grow a winter cereal, test it in the lab for quality and then sell it to merchants. You will also complete a residential study tour within the UK to look at different farming enterprises as part of this degree. 

In the final year, your independent research project allows you to choose a subject that inspires and interests you. This could involve a farm, including your home farm, research at the University or an enterprise that you’ve had contact with during the course. 

Outside of the curriculum, the student-run Agri-club runs the UK’s largest student conference. It gives you the opportunity to debate key issues like food security and self-sufficiency and get your voice heard. 

For more information, please visit the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development website. 

Placement 

This degree includes a year in industry between the second and final year. 

In the past, students have undertaken their year in industry in the UK with Frontier Agriculture, Greenvale AP Ltd, and Waitrose and Partners, as well as internationally, in Europe and New Zealand. You will be supported by our Placements Team who will assist with finding and supporting your year out. 

Some students can also participate in six-week summer placements linked to research undertaken at the University, which are generally completed before the final year. 

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

BBB

We require one science at A level.

Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall, including an acceptable science subject at higher level

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM (Modules taken must be comparable to A level subjects specified)

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Core Modules Include:

  • Agriculture in Practice
  • Digestion and Nutrition
  • Introduction to Livestock Production
  • Soils in The Environment
  • Introduction to Crop Production
  • Crop Physiology, Nutrition and Protection
  • Agricultural Research Skills
  • Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core Modules Include:

  • Agricultural Field Study Tour
  • Mini Work Placement and Professional Development in Agriculture
  • Animal Production
  • Crop Agronomy
  • Experimental  Design and Data Analysis
  • Grassland Management and Ecology

Optional Modules Include:

  • Animal Growth, Lactation and Reproduction
  • Animal Health and Disease
  • Animal Nutrition 
  • Principles of Horticulture and Crop Production
  • Forestry and Woodlands
  • Nature Conservation
  • Soil Ecology and Functions
  • Farm Business Management

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Professional Placement, or
  • Professional Placement with Study Abroad Experience, or
  • Study Abroad Year
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core Modules Include:

  • Cereal Quality and End Use
  • Agricultural Technology: Application, Adoption and Ethics
  • Independent Research Project

Optional Modules Include:

  • Plants, Greenspace and Urban Sustainability
  • Water, Agriculture and Irrigation
  • Agricultural Systems in The Tropics
  • Animal Welfare
  • Climate Change and Food Systems
  • Dairy Production
  • Equine Science and Management
  • Horticultural Crop Technology
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Meat Production and Quality
  • Practical Animal Nutrition
  • Wildlife and Farming

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £24,500

UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Placement year fees

If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Our BSc Agriculture programme prepares you for senior technical and scientific roles in a wide range of agriculture related enterprises. The University of Reading has an outstanding reputation with employers. 

Students who have completed the Agriculture course in the last five years have gone into a wide variety of graduate jobs including agronomy, livestock nutrition and horticulture. 

Graduates work with companies including Syngenta, HGCA, NIAB TAG, and Volac. 

Our Facilities

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We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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