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Agricultural and Environmental Science MSc

Our master's in agriculture and environmental science can help you develop a career in sustainable farming systems, environmental management and rural development.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2024

Overview

This master's in agriculture and environmental science develops your understanding of the interaction between agriculture and the environment. There is an emphasis on sustainability and the ecological consequences of unsound management. It gives you the skills for a career related to:

  • sustainability in farming systems
  • environmental management
  • rural development

The course consists of compulsory and optional modules. This gives you the opportunity to tailor your studies to your personal interests.

You'll be taught by industry-experienced and research-active lecturers. Our research in integrated agricultural production focuses on:

  • soil science
  • plant science
  • ecology

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Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

What you'll learn

You'll develop knowledge and skills in core concepts such as:

  • sustainable development and environmental change
  • quantitative techniques
  • experimental design
  • data analysis
  • assessment of land use capability
  • habitat potential
  • risks of water pollution
  • soil quality
  • ecosystem services
  • analysis, interpretation and presentation of field data
  • science, policy and action underlying climate change and land use

You can also study through the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme. The scheme is a framework that enables us to award postgraduate-level qualifications using credit-bearing stand-alone modules as 'building blocks' towards a qualification. This means that the credits from modules undertaken within a five-year period can be 'banked' towards the award of a qualification.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

How you'll learn

Your future

Our Agricultural and Environmental Science MSc can help you develop a career in:

  • sustainable farming systems
  • environmental management
  • rural development

Our Careers Service

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

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

NU Farms

Our multi-purpose farms are viable farming businesses. We use them as demonstration facilities for teaching purposes. They also provide land-based research facilities.

Our facilities provide an open innovation platform enabling researchers to work with farmers, industry, and environmental and government stakeholders. Together, they develop innovative solutions for balancing sustainable global food production with a thriving rural economy and protection of the wider environment.

These research facilities help us to understand:

  • the development and functioning of plant and animal hosts, pathogens and their interactions
  • the complex biogeochemical functions of the soil
  • crop and livestock health, welfare and productivity
  • environmental impact
  • interactions between the managed farm environment and the land-air-water interface

We use this fundamental knowledge to:

  • integrate genomics, physiology and agronomy in molecular breeding approaches
  • develop and optimise farming systems

We collect real data from a network of on-farm crop, soil, livestock and environmental sensors. We use this data to calibrate and validate the digital technologies and models that help us in our research and developments.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

  • matriculation
  • registration
  • tuition (or supervision)
  • library access
  • examination
  • re-examination
  • graduation

Find out more about:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

How to apply


Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.


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Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

  • campus tours
  • on-campus open days
  • virtual open days
  • webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Dr Hannah Davis
Degree Programme Director
Email: snes.education@ncl.ac.uk

Online

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

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