Agriculture BSc Honours

Course overview

Agriculture is at the centre of many of the challenges facing modern society - including climate change, food security and increasing world population - and is a diverse area of study.

Our rich curriculum includes a broad range of topics spanning plant biology, soil science, nutrition, management, accounting and law.

You can also boost your employability and professional skills with an optional placement year in industry or the commercial sector. 

We are a leading university for agriculture and you'll benefit from fantastic facilities, including two University farms.

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Additional information

Flexible degree structure

Our agriculture programmes have a flexible structure, so you can choose to follow a more specialised route in your final year. You can switch to the Agronomy, Animal Production Science or Farm Business Management programmes.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You study the fundamental scientific and quantitative aspects of the subject, covering topics including plant biology, animal science and agri-business economics.

We also introduce you to laboratory work and IT applications for applying statistical techniques to agricultural data. A series of visits to the University farms provides first-hand insight into the practical aspects of agriculture.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Crop Pests	10
Introduction to Business Management	10
Agri-Food Supply Chains	10
Animal Health	10
Introduction to Animal Physiology	10
Sustainability in Practice	20
Academic and Professional Skills	20
Introduction to Sustainability	20
Plants, Environment, Agriculture	10

You apply your knowledge to animal and crop husbandry and farm management, covering topics such as animal breeding, arable crop production and agricultural marketing. Visits to University and other farms continue, reinforcing your learning with practical experience.

You have the opportunity to take a crop pests field course, focusing on insect, fungal and weed pests that affect crops.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Current Trends in Agricultural Markets	10
Arable Crops	10
Farm Business Management	10
Principles of Agronomy and Crop Improvement	10
Animal Feed Science and Technology	10
Domestic Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement	10
Sustainable animal production systems	20
Agricultural Economics and Policy	10
Dissertation and Research Preparation	10
Ecosystem Ecology	10
Sustainable Solutions	10

You choose topics from our specialisms, according to your interests, this allows you to maintain a broad view of agriculture. You will also complete your dissertation in an area of interest.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Combinable Crops	20
Applied Farm Business Management	20
Applied Animal Nutrition	10
Dissertation	30

Optional Modules	Credits
Law and Land Use	10
Career Development for final year students	20
Advanced Career Development module	20
Farm Business Consultancy	20
Applied Crop Protection	10
Agronomy Field Course	10
Forage Utilization	10
Reproduction in Farm and Companion Animals	10
Your Future - occupational awareness	10
Animal Welfare and Behaviour	20
Precision Agriculture incorporating Non-Combinable Crops	20
Science Communication for Sustainable Development	10

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2022-23.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Lectures and laboratory practicals will teach you the scientific principles that underpin agriculture.

Visits to the University farms and other local farming businesses will help you to understand the practical application of the theory you learn.

You'll also complete project work and reports, working as an individual and in groups.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

As a leader in agricultural education since 1891, we have well-founded links with the local farming community, allowing our students access to a range of farming practices.

In your second year, you'll also gain hands-on experience managing your own crops and opportunities to take on lambing or harvest jobs. 

Research skills

To address the problems facing agriculture globally, we conduct research on themes such as:

• ethical and nutritious food
• resource-efficient and resilient production systems
• sustainable landscapes and production systems
• vibrant rural communities and enterprises

You'll also have the opportunity to explore an area of interest in your final year dissertation. 

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

Agriculture is based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus. During your studies, you'll have access to two commercial farms near Newcastle.

Our University farms, Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm, will give you an insight into how real-world farms operate, so you're prepared for your future. Our farms are used for research, teaching and demonstration.

You'll have the opportunity to access modern laboratories equipped with industry-standard equipment. You'll also use NU-Food, our food and consumer research facility.

You'll be able to use our computing facilities, including computers running industry-standard software used in agriculture businesses, to help ensure you're career-ready.

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet. You can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable).

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

There's also a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works.

Your future

As a Newcastle University agriculture graduate, you will be held in high regard in the industry and have many career options open to you.

Graduates from agriculture have gone into farm management roles, service and supply industries as well as research, advisory and consultancy work in the public and private sector.

Many have found employment in prestigious national and multinational companies such as:

• Velcourt
• Sentry Farming
• Bidwells
• Andersons
• Strutt and Parker
• Agrovista
• Syngenta

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 9250
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 26400

Home Fee Students

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages