FdSc Sustainable Agriculture with Livestock Management

• A minimum of 64 tariff points from A and AS level to include Biology A-level
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade MPP in an Agriculture or Science related subject
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – a minimum of grade MM in and Agriculture or Science related subject
• Access to HE Diploma – a minimum of 64 tariff points
• Scottish Higher – a minimum of grade CCC
• T Level – a minimum grade Pass (D or E)
• Mature students (aged 21+) will be considered on an individual basis on their prior knowledge and experience. This may be assessed by interview, completion of coursework/essay or other methods. There may be a requirement for a formal qualification to be completed first e.g. Access to Higher Education course.

At level 4 all Sustainable Agriculture students will study a suite of core modules which will provide the foundations in agricultural science and production to aid specialisation at level 5. Modules will include:

• Animal, Plant and Soil Science
• Sustainable Livestock Production Systems
• Farm Animal Welfare and Nutrition
• Farm Business Diversification and Marketing
• Sustainable Crop and Forage Production Systems
• Agricultural Machinery & Technology

At level 5 students studying the Sustainable Agriculture with Livestock Management pathway will study:

• Environmental Land Management
• Business Management and Finance
• Work Based Learning for Land-Based Industries
• Farm Animal Health and Behaviour
• Sustainable Livestock Management
• Applied Livestock Investigation

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity, plus field trips. Your actual contact hours may depend on which optional modules you select, but the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each year of the course:

Year 1: 30% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 360 hours

Independent Study: 840 hours

Year 2: 25% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 260 hours

Placement: 150 hours

Independent Study: 790 hours

Class sizes are usually up to 20 students.

Assessment Methods

Module assessments are designed to encourage both academic and workplace skill development. They include a wide range of coursework-based assessments in both independent and collaborative formats including reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, lab-reports, seminar discussions, literature reviews and portfolios. Assessments will range in size and will be spread throughout the year to give you the greatest level of support and feedback whilst maintaining an even, manageable workload.

Examples include a short report in Sustainable Livestock Management, in which you will develop analytical skills to report on progression of livestock enterprise case-studies, whilst your digital communication skills will be challenged in a series of blog posts on farm animal behaviour as part of the Farm Animal Health and Behaviour module. To investigate the livestock industry further, you will conduct an Applied Livestock Investigation, in which you will examine the latest research in an area of livestock management, develop a research methodology, conduct statistical analysis and later produce a scientific poster to share the results of your group investigation.

Feedback

Feedback is supplied via Turnitin or directly from the module tutor. The majority of submissions are made via Turnitin and feedback for coursework is provided within twenty working days after the submission date.

Written feedback will be supported verbally should the student require clarification. Formative assessment feedback will be provided at the time of completion where possible, with more detailed summative feedback for reports.

Students will be able to access course timetables for the academic year in September.

Timetables are subject to change, but most students can expect to spend 3-3.5 days per week on campus.  

During the level 5 module, Work Based Learning for the Land-Based Industries, students are expected to complete at least 150 hours of industry placements. This is completed alongside lectures and students are expected to attend all timetabled sessions.

This is a compulsory module; students are expected to secure the work experience opportunity with guidance and support from agriculture staff.

Financial arrangements will be left to the discretion of the employer, to be agreed with the student, where significant learning takes place and training is provided. The value of this experience must be taken into consideration.

Tuition Fees

As a student at UCR, you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.

Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on our student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

Tuition fees for international students can also be found on our student finance page.

Additional Costs

All resources will be available through the college library or VLE as E-Books, therefore there is no formal requirement to purchase textbooks. Although a list of recommended texts can be provided. We promote the use of online journals, webinars and podcasts.

Some shows and field trips may have small admission fees (usually £10-20). There may also be opportunity to attend industry events and conferences, the costs of which vary depending on event, but of course are optional.

Students may also get the opportunity to join a UK or international study tour, which usually cost £150-£1,500 depending on location and duration.

Equipment Costs

Students are responsible for everyday stationary, access to a laptop and PPE (steel-toe wellies, overalls and warm clothes) for external visits. For biosecurity purposes, all PPE for the campus farm will be provided.

• Steel-toe capped Wellingtons or boots – £30+
• Waterproof trousers – £15+
• Waterproof coat – £20+

Warm clothing and waterproofs are important for an external visit.

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.