BSc (Hons) Agriculture With Foundation Year Bachelor's degree at The Royal Agricultural University
BSc (Hons) Agriculture With Foundation Year at RAU leads to a nationally recognised Bachelor's degree and has received Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
About this course
The BSc (Hons) Agriculture degree is designed to develop the professional agriculturalists and farm managers of the future. This wide-reaching, industry-recognised programme is built on the latest applied research, informed by RAU’s extensive industry networks and delivered by world-renowned experts in their fields From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Agriculture With Foundation Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at RAU, based in Main Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Agriculture, food and related studies graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 50% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £26,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Agriculture & Animal Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Foundation Year 2 modules
- Core Scientific Principles in AgricultureCore
Module details
Introduces core scientific principles in agriculture, covering livestock and crop husbandry, soil health, plant biology, and farming systems such as viticulture and urban agriculture. Topics include anatomy, nutrition, disease, and sustainability across the supply chain. Students engage in fieldwork, lab practicals, and farm visits.
Assessment: 60-minute written exam and a 2000-word professional practice report
- Developing your Skills and Undertaking an Individual ProjectCore
Module details
Supports students' transition to degree-level study by developing academic, digital, and professional skills. Topics include reflection, teamwork, critical thinking, presentation, and research. Students apply these skills in a self-directed project on a topic of their choice.
Assessment: 1500-word skills portfolio, a 500-word written reflection, a 2000-word individual project, and four short in-class tests
Year one 6 modules
- Professional, Practical and Study SkillsCore
Module details
Develops academic, employability, and practical skills for success in university and land-based careers. It includes reflective writing, data handling, digital literacy, and hands-on tasks relevant to the sector. Students explore sustainability, industry challenges, and professional development.
Assessment: Skills portfolio, a 1000-word reflective account, and a group presentation on a sustainability challenge
- Farm Business Finance and AccountsCore
Module details
Introduces financial and economic principles in farm business management. Topics include enterprise analysis, gross margins, profit and loss, balance sheets, cashflow, and agricultural market dynamics. Students explore planning, budgeting, and decision-making tools through case studies and practical tasks.
Assessment: 1500-word portfolio and a 2000-word business plan
- Applied Plant and Animal ScienceCore
Module details
Introduces core biological principles in plant and animal science, focusing on nutrition, reproduction, genetics, health, welfare, and crop management. Topics include animal behaviour, plant physiology, pest and disease control, and sustainable agronomy. Students engage in seminars, lab and field practicals.
Assessment: 10-minute group presentation, two 30-minute online multiple-choice tests (animal and plant science), and a 30-minute practical identification test
- Farming Systems and SustainabilityCore
Module details
Examines diverse farming systems including arable, livestock, mixed, organic, regenerative, and agroecological approaches. Topics include climate change, soil and water management, urban agriculture, and future farming scenarios. Students engage with farm visits, guest speakers, and case studies.
Assessment: 10-minute recorded presentation and a 2500-word case study-based report
- Agricultural Machinery, Technology and BuildingsCore
Module details
Explores the role of machinery, infrastructure, and emerging technologies in modern agriculture. Topics include power systems, cultivation equipment, livestock technologies, automation, and farm safety. Students engage with field trips and seminars to evaluate machinery performance and sustainability.
Assessment: 30-minute online multiple-choice test, a 1500-word crop-specific report, and a 1500-word livestock-specific report
- Soil Science and Ecosystem ServicesCore
Module details
Explores soil health and ecosystem services within agroecosystems and natural environments. Topics include soil formation, hydrology, ecology, chemistry, and biodiversity net gain. Students engage in lab and fieldwork, mapping, and case study visits.
Assessment: 1500-word report with calculations and a 2-hour open book exam
Year two 9 modules
- Research and EvidenceCore
Module details
Develops students' ability to design and justify research proposals using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Topics include study design, data analysis, ethics, and communication of findings. Students engage with real-world problems and explore research applications across disciplines.
Assessment: 2500-word research proposal and a 2-hour online test
- AgronomyCore
Module details
Explores crop production in temperate climates, covering cereals, legumes, oilseeds, root crops, and grasslands. Topics include variety selection, crop establishment, nutrition, protection, and sustainability. Students engage with farm visits and industry-led seminars.
Assessment: 1-hour online test, a 5-minute podcast, and a 1500-word crop growth blueprint
- Livestock HusbandryCore
Module details
Examines sustainable livestock management across ruminant and monogastric species. Topics include breeding, feeding, welfare, and environmental impact. Students engage with field trips, case studies, and industry tools.
Assessment: 10-minute individual presentation and a 2500-word feeding plan
- Technology and Nature-Based InnovationsCore
Module details
Investigates the integration of digital technologies and nature-based solutions in agriculture. Topics include sensors, robotics, agroecology, carbon management, and data-driven decision-making. Students engage with field demonstrations, case studies, and industry tools.
Assessment: 2000-word scientific report and a 2000-word case study report
- Farm Business Planning and Food Supply ChainsCore
Module details
Introduces farm budgeting, financial planning, and supply chain dynamics. Topics include gross margins, cash flow, benchmarking, and food system integration. Students explore local and global supply chains and policy frameworks.
Assessment: Two 2000-word reports: one on farm business planning and one on food supply chain strategy
- Industry EngagementCore
Module details
Provides students with a structured industry placement to develop professional, technical, and reflective skills in a real-world context. Students complete a minimum of 444 hours of work-based learning aligned to their career goals.
Assessment: CV and personal statement (500 words) and a reflective portfolio (1000 words)
- Agricultural Commodities TradingElective
Module details
Explores agricultural commodities trading and marketing strategies. Topics include market dynamics, pricing, risk management, and value-adding. Students engage with case studies, seminars, and a business visit.
Assessment: 2000-word professional practice report and a 2000-word marketing plan
- Farm Animal Health and WelfareElective
Module details
Examines the science, ethics, and practice of farm animal health and welfare. Topics include disease prevention, welfare assessment, legislation, and responsible medicine use. Students engage with field visits and case-based learning.
Assessment: 2000-word farm animal health plan and an on-farm welfare assessment report
- Alternative Cropping SystemsElective
Module details
Explores the role of alternative crops in sustainable agriculture. Topics include cover crops, pulses, perennial grains, tropical staples, and industrial crops. Students engage with case studies, field visits, and farmer-led innovations.
Assessment: 1-page infographic and a 2000-word resilient cropping plan
Year three 8 modules
- Research ProjectCore
Module details
Enables students to undertake an independent research project aligned with their subject area. Topics are student-selected and supported through supervisor meetings and workshops.
Assessment: 5-minute progress presentation and a 12,000-word thesis or multimedia portfolio
- Agroecological and Technological SolutionsCore
Module details
Explores global food system challenges and evaluates agroecological and technological solutions. Topics include climate change, biodiversity loss, animal welfare, and sustainable crop and livestock systems. Students engage with field trips, seminars, and guest lectures.
Assessment: 5-minute podcast, a 10-minute individual presentation, and a portfolio of six field visit reflections
- Agri-Food Systems and PoliciesCore
Module details
Examines food systems through systems thinking and the One Health framework. Topics include food security, policy development, economics, and regenerative agriculture. Students engage with debates, case studies, and guest speakers.
Assessment: 1000-word academic poster and a 2500-word literature review
- Advanced Farm Business ManagementElective
Module details
Develops strategic planning skills for farm enterprises under economic and environmental pressures. Topics include financial forecasting, resource appraisal, compliance, and net-zero strategies. Students engage with site visits, workshops, and scenario-based planning.
Assessment: 2000-word farm plan and a 2000-word rental plan
- Farm Business ConsultancyElective
Module details
Explores strategic consultancy for small and medium-sized farm businesses. Topics include financial analysis, investment appraisal, taxation, and feasibility planning. Students engage with case studies and industry practices.
Assessment: 1500-word accounts analysis and a 2000-word strategic consultancy report
- Advanced Livestock Nutrition and BreedingElective
Module details
Investigates sustainable breeding and nutrition strategies across livestock species. Topics include genomic selection, reproductive technologies, feed innovations, and precision nutrition. Students engage with field visits, seminars, and practicals.
Assessment: 2500-word breeding improvement plan and a 1000-word nutrition problem sheet
- Crop Health, Nutrition and ProtectionElective
Module details
Examines sustainable crop management strategies. Topics include pest and disease control, crop nutrition, biosecurity, and integrated pest management. Students engage with field visits, lab work, and agronomy exercises.
Assessment: Group presentation, a 2000-word crop monitoring report, and a viva voce
- Countryside and Environmental ManagementElective
Module details
Addresses contemporary countryside issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and rural development. Students explore policy, land management strategies, and sustainability through field visits and case studies.
Assessment: 1500-word grant application, a presentation of a countryside improvement plan, and a 7-day timed assessment
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course is distinguished by its emphasis on developing professional agriculturalists and farm managers, informed by the university's extensive industry networks. You'll usually begin with foundations in animal and crop science, learning biology applied to livestock and crops, alongside practical husbandry and farm skills. As you progress, you'll study nutrition and health, grassland and environmental management, and data and technology in agriculture. In your final years, a course like this normally moves towards specialisations such as livestock production, equine science, agronomy, animal behaviour and welfare, and agri-tech, combined with farm business management. You'll typically complete your studies with a dissertation or industry project, often conducted with a farm or industry partner, applying your knowledge to real-world challenges.
Who it's for
Most accepted students arrived with A-levels or equivalent qualifications (80% of entrants over recent years). The typical UCAS tariff band among accepted students was 96–111 points. This course suits those with a genuine interest in agriculture and animal science who want structured foundation-year support before progressing to honours-level study.
Careers & job market
Across Agriculture and Animal Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 40% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries (15 months post-graduation) typically fall between £22,000 and £27,000, rising to £22,525–£31,800 after five years. These figures reflect the wider graduate population, not a guarantee for individual outcomes.
University & format
The Royal Agricultural University is a public university founded in 1842, located at its Main Campus. This BSc (Hons) Agriculture With Foundation Year is a 4-year, full-time degree taught in English. It is a recognised UK degree-awarding body with degrees that are nationally recognised. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
contextual offer. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 80% |
| another higher-education qualification | 19% |
| a previous degree | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code D701). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at RAU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Agriculture & Animal Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £26,000 | £24,000 – £29,000 | 40 |
| 3 years after | £24,000 | £20,000 – £30,500 | 175 |
| 5 years after | £30,000 | £24,500 – £38,000 | 170 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in agriculture & animal science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Agriculture & Animal Science nationally
National figures for Agriculture & Animal Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Agriculture & Animal Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 285 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Skilled trades occupationsSOC 2020 5 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,241
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction ProfessionalsSOC 2020 245 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,972
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 55; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Agriculture & Animal Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Agriculture & Animal Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Agribusiness & food producers
- DEFRA & agencies
- Estates & farms
- Animal & wildlife charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Agriculture & Animal Science graduates.
Agriculture Litigation Solicitor – Rural & EstatesBirketts LLPAgriculture TrainerRise Technical RecruitmentAgriculture Legal Director & Partner – HybridErrington LegalAgriculture & Estates Lawyer - Suffolk / NorfolkBWF Legal RecruitmentAgriculture ManagerMarks and SpencerAgriculture Lawyer - BristolChadwick NottIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £26,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.8 out of 10: NSS 68.6% · in work or study 80% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Royal Agricultural University
Agriculture, food and related studies across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Agriculture & Animal Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to RAU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £16,950 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check RAU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with RAU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at RAU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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