Prior experience in agriculture is not essential to gain a place on UCR’s sustainable agriculture degrees, however if you can gain some experience prior to starting, it will help you. Where you do have experience, be sure to include this in your personal statement and be specific in the detail in what you have done and how it will help you in your future studies.

For those without any experience, don’t worry. You may not have any agricultural experience but you may have some of the qualities needed to be successful in a career in agriculture. You must be dedicated, have an outstanding work ethic and be eager to succeed. You will have done things in your career to date, either at school, college, sixth form or even in employment which you can use to highlight these qualities.

Similarly, you may be able to use some of these experiences to show some transferable knowledge. Agriculture is a multidisciplinary subject meaning the degree will develop not only your knowledge and skills in production agriculture, but it will also develop your understanding of business management, animal and plant biology, and research investigations, to name a few. Think to yourself, what have I done already that could help me with this?

If you are unsure if you have enough UCAS points or if you do not have a good science background, your personal statement becomes more important.

Tell us about the experience you have working with animals, whether it is paid or voluntary. Make sure you are clear and precise about the type of work you were doing and for how long. If your academic studies do not show a clear commitment to Animal Science, it is important that your statement does.

If you are lacking in an animal science background, what additional training can you include in your personal statement? Are there any recognised online biological science courses you have completed?

If you fall short of the required UCAS points, consider how you can demonstrate a strong work ethic and desire to improve. What other achievements do you have which have required commitment and determination? Preferably these would involve work with animals, but other achievements can also be important.

A passion for understanding business development and management is the most important thing for a degree in Business Management. The rural business sector is constantly progressing as it continues to evolve and offer exciting career opportunities for skilled graduates with knowledge of rural business diversification and sustainability.

Our BA (Hons) is the perfect choice for you if you are interested in starting or diversifying a business. Rural businesses cover an array of sectors in wider industry, including agriculture, tourism and events, equestrian, horticulture, conservation, food production and many more. This course is designed to develop the business and entrepreneurial skills and knowledge you will require to develop, start, or diversify any rural business.  The course features a range of topics including innovation and diversification, environmental sustainability, finance, business planning, human resources, and marketing.

To be successful, you must be keen to learn, able to manage your time and be prepared to study independently. If you can demonstrate this, and that you have a keen interest in the topic with the drive to succeed, we will be interested in your application.  We also welcome applications from mature students or those from different careers. If this applies to you, tell us what you have done and why you want to re-focus your studies.  Consider: what have you done already; why do you want to do this course; and share your enthusiasm with us!

A keen interest in working with canines shows a clear passion for working in this rewarding sector. Some experience in handling canines is strongly encouraged. Whether this be working in a kennel environment, dog sitting service or dog training, having this experience places students in a positive position for study on the programme.

If you don’t have prior experience, then undertaking suitable experience before having a conditional offer made is strongly encouraged so that we can be assured that you are comfortable working with canines. Please contact UCR admissions if you have questions regarding the type and length of experience.

What have you studied previously and how does this relate to the Canine Behaviour and Training programme or more broadly biological science? If your previous studies are not directly relatable then think about the transferable knowledge and skills which could be applied to your degree studies. Do you have an awareness of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council or other relevant professional bodies? Have you attended crufts or other renowned shows or exhibitions? These are just some of the topics you could include within your personal statement.

Most importantly remember that the personal statement needs to reflect you as an individual. 

Firstly, a passion for horses is a must, followed by lots of practical experience in a number of areas concerning equine, especially in the area pertaining to your degree choice. It is important for you to tell us how and where you think this degree will take you upon completion. For example, what career field are you targeting, is the degree part of the bigger strategic plan for getting to your desired career upon completion, after additonal post-graduate qualifications or are you wanting to study equine, but are planning on going into a different career path after the degree?

Our equine degrees cover lots of areas, especially linked to the equine industry, and part of your degree will require you to undertake additional work placements to consolidate your learning, but to further develop your practical skills whilst on the degree programme.  Transferrable skills are incorporated within the delivery of the modules and would further enhance your CV upon graduation from the course.

To be successful at higher education, you must be keen to learn, able to manage your time effectively to ensure that you can meet the assessment deadlines, and to study independently.  If you are willing to meet these challenges, learn in an environment that is focussed on developing students who are industry ready and career focussed, then we will be happy to consider your application.

A background in science is essential for the Bachelor degree and very beneficial for the Foundation degree, the most important thing, however, is a passion for your subject. Gaining relevant experience, prior to starting your degree, will further enable your success on the course, this could be through voluntary work or paid employment. Similarly, you may be able to use some of these experiences to show some transferable knowledge when applying for the course.

To be successful, you must be keen to learn, able to manage your time and be prepared to study independently. If you can demonstrate this, and that you are up to date with the latest developments in the world of conservation and wildlife management, we will be interested in your application. We also welcome applications from mature students or those from different careers. If this applies to you, tell us what you have done and why you want to re-focus your studies.

Conservation science is a multidisciplinary subject meaning the degree will develop not only your knowledge and skills in environmental or wildlife management, but it will also develop your understanding of communication methods, animal and plant ecology and biology, research and analysis skills, to name a few. Consider: what have you done already; why do you want to do this course; and share your enthusiasm with us!

An absolute passion for floral design coupled with an aspiration to be the best the best in the floristry industry are the qualities that we look for in our level 4 floristry students.

In order to be successful on the course you will need a thirst for research of both national and international design trends coupled with a willingness to try out different things. Attention to detail is a must with the standard of designs produced having to meet a very high professional standard.

Academic writing is expected for all theory work in an appropriate format as dictated by the briefs, to include Harvard referencing.

You will need to be available to attend college for one day a week for 25 weeks in the academic year for two consecutive years. In addition you will need to be able to commit at least a day a week to researching ideas, planning designs, sourcing flowers and appropriate sundries. You must also be able to devote time to  completing assignment work. Good time management skills are essential as well as an ability to study independently.

Work experience is not required but it is preferable that you are currently working in the industry in order to support levels of commercial speed expected. The qualification is designed for florists established in the industry and/or trained to level 3.

A background in science or food science is essential for the Bachelor degree and very beneficial for the Foundation degree, the most important thing, however, is a passion for your subject. Gaining relevant experience, prior to starting your degree, will further enable your success on the course, this could be through voluntary work or paid employment. Similarly, you may be able to use some of these experiences to show some transferable knowledge when applying for the course.

To be successful, you must be keen to learn, able to manage your time and be prepared to study independently. If you can demonstrate this, and that you have a keen interest in the topic with the drive to succeed, we will be interested in your application.  We also welcome applications from mature students or those from different careers. If this applies to you, tell us what you have done and why you want to re-focus your studies.

Food science is a multidisciplinary subject meaning the degree will develop not only your knowledge and skills in food science, but it will also develop your understanding of product development, research and analysis skills, to name a few.

Bakery and Patisserie is a skills-based course with an emphasis on development of understanding the theory behind food and new product design. Consider: what have you done already; why do you want to do this course; and share your enthusiasm with us!

A passion for the natural and built environment is one of the most important things we look for. What inspires and excites you about this rewarding and vibrant sector. Is it the impacts of urban regeneration in towns and cities and the array of benefits they can bring? Is it the challenge of urban expansion into the open countryside and achieving sustainable development? Or is it the prospect of playing a vital part in managing our existing parks and open spaces so they meet the needs of a changing population?

Experience working in the sector is not essential and most of our students have previously come from varied backgrounds. What is recommended is that you are able to draw upon past experiences and consider transferable skills which can be applied to landscape architecture.

An understanding of the scope of the landscape architecture sector, and this programme being focused on the landscape management and landscape planning areas of practice is encouraged: so that we can be sure you have chosen the right programme for you.

Finally, the personal statement needs to be reflection of you as an individual.  

We expect a background in sport and an interest in coaching. This could come from either studying or playing sport and actively taking part in coaching experiences. We want to know why you think sport has a potential to change people’s lives and what they do and can achieve. Knowledge of current issues in sport will help in this sense, particularly looking at discrimination, culture rule and law changes and the effects of sport from a grass route to elite levels.

For those who have and have not studied on a sport course, it would be important to show how your passion for sport started and developed throughout your life so far and who your role models might be. You should also look at some of the key transferable skills in coaching and how you have shown and developed these skills, such as interactions, communication and building a rapport as well as the desire to improve others.

We also welcome applications from mature students or those from different careers. If this applies to you, tell us what you have done and why you want to re-focus your studies. If you wish to gain further support or help with whether you meet the entry requirements, then one of the team will be happy to help.

Identifying the roles of a veterinary nurse and understanding the requirements and duties of this role can help you gain a place on the veterinary nursing course. One of the questions we are keen to ask is what drives you to want to be a veterinary nurse. The course is incredibly competitive and so we really want you to think about what makes you stand out. Do you have a specific interest, would you like to specialise in a particular area or have you any plans to engage in postgraduate courses?

To secure an interview with us you MUST complete at least 2 weeks work experience in a veterinary practice. This must be shadowing a veterinary nurse, ideally to gain a better understanding of the role and appreciate what a day in the life of a veterinary nurse looks like. Please ensure you gain references from practices to support your application. It is also beneficial that alongside this you complete work experience in any animal related occupation, this can be a kennels, cattery, physiotherapy, groomers or pet shops, as all of these will allow you to gain basic animal handling and husbandry across a range of species.

A guaranteed placement to support your application/qualification is not necessarily required. We have a practice liaison team who are more than willing to support this, however, if you have a practice you are working with then we are more than happy to support this.

We also welcome applications from mature students or those from different careers. If this applies to you, tell us what you have done and why you want to re-focus your studies. If you wish to gain further support or help with whether you meet the entry requirements, then one of the team will be happy to help.