BSc (Hons) Environment and Sustainability with Professional Placement Year Bachelor's degree at The Royal Agricultural University
BSc (Hons) Environment and Sustainability with Professional Placement Year at RAU. You'll undertake a professional placement year, gaining real-world experience alongside your studies.
About this course
The growing awareness of environmental issues and the associated problems that individuals, society and the government are encountering means that there is increasing focus and support being given to this sector. Sustainability is at the heart of this and employers are actively seeking trained graduates with skills and From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Environment and Sustainability with Professional Placement Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at RAU, based in Main Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Agriculture graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,000. (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)
Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 84% (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.
Year one 6 modules
- Professional, Practical and Study SkillsCore
Module details
This module 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
- Soil Science and Ecosystem ServicesCore
Module details
This module 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
- Farming Systems and SustainabilityCore
Module details
This module 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
- Species Identification & EcologyCore
Module details
This module introduces species classification, ecological processes, and field survey techniques. Topics include taxonomy, ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, and data analysis. Students engage in species identification, fieldwork, and ecological hypothesis testing.
Assessment: 1.5-hour practical identification test and a 2000-word scientific report using field data
- People & Environmental ChangeCore
Module details
This module examines human impacts on environmental change across spatial and temporal scales. Topics include land use transitions, legislative frameworks, and sustainability challenges. Students participate in field trips and develop academic skills.
Assessment: Presentation and a 2000-word essay
- Energy, Climate & Waste ManagementCore
Module details
This module explores the interconnections between energy systems, climate change, and pollution. Topics include renewable energy, circular economy, carbon management, and climate justice. Students engage with field trips, guest speakers, and case studies.
Assessment: Poster on regional climate impacts and a 2000-word scientific report on a renewable energy system
Year two 7 modules
- Research and EvidenceCore
Module details
This module 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
- Technology and Nature-Based InnovationsCore
Module details
This module 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
- Global Development and Environmental SustainabilityCore
Module details
This module examines the intersection of global development and environmental sustainability. Topics include climate change, resource management, environmental justice, and sustainable economies. Students engage with case studies and policy frameworks.
Assessment: 1000-word academic poster and a 3000-word scientific report
- Industry EngagementCore
Module details
This module 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)
- Landscape Recovery and GISCore
Module details
This module explores landscape-scale conservation and ecological connectivity using GIS tools. Topics include habitat fragmentation, agri-environment schemes, and strategic countryside management. Students engage with case studies, fieldwork, and QGIS mapping.
Assessment: Academic poster and a 3000-word feasibility report
- Environmental Access, Recreation and EducationCore
Module details
This module examines how people engage with nature through access, recreation, and education. Topics include legislation, user conflicts, site management, and inclusive design. Students engage with field visits and case studies.
Assessment: Two 1000-word problem sheets and a 2000-word site plan report
- Nature Restoration and Species ReintroductionsCore
Module details
This module explores conservation strategies for habitat restoration and species recovery. Topics include in situ and ex situ management, rewilding, population genetics, and ethical considerations. Students engage with study tours and case studies.
Assessment: In-class test and a 3000-word portfolio
Year three 1 modules
- Professional Placement YearCore
Module details
This module enables students to undertake a 9–12-month work placement to gain practical experience and enhance career readiness. Students engage in planning, professional practice, critical reflection, and career development.
Assessment: 3000-word reflective portfolio with embedded case studies and a pass/fail professional skills evaluation by the placement supervisor
Year four 7 modules
- Countryside & Environmental ManagementCore
Module details
This module 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
- Environmental & Ecological ConsultancyCore
Module details
This module prepares students for professional consultancy roles in environmental and ecological sectors. Topics include legislation, species surveys, impact assessments, and client communication. Students engage with fieldwork, case studies, and guest lectures.
Assessment: 2000-word literature review and a 2000-word professional practice report
- Climate Change & Natural Resource ManagementCore
Module details
This module explores the intersection of climate change and natural resource management. Topics include soil health, biodiversity, water systems, and sustainable agriculture. Students engage with field visits, case studies, and policy analysis.
Assessment: Poster presentation and a multiple-choice exam
- Research ProjectCore
Module details
This module 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
- Agri-Food Systems and PoliciesElective
Module details
This module 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
- Forestry and Natural ResourcesElective
Module details
This module examines woodland and natural resource management in rural and urban contexts. Students explore tree identification, silviculture, ecosystem services, and natural capital. Emphasis is placed on sustainability, biodiversity, and balancing timber production with environmental benefits.
Assessment: 2400-word woodland management plan and a 1600-word portfolio of artefacts
- Advocacy & Activism in Food and FarmingElective
Module details
This module investigates how advocacy and activism shape food and farming systems. Topics include social justice movements, policy influence, grassroots mobilisation, and digital campaigning. Students engage with real-world case studies and field visits.
Assessment: 1000-word essay analysing an existing campaign and a 2000-word group project developing a new advocacy strategy
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 grounds sustainability within applied agricultural science. You'll usually begin with foundational study of animal and crop biology, how food systems connect farm to fork, and practical husbandry skills. In Year 2, the focus moves to nutrition and health, grassland and environmental management, and data technology in agriculture. As you progress to Year 3, you'll select specialist options such as livestock production, equine science, agronomy, animal behaviour and welfare, or agri-tech, alongside farm business management. Your final year typically culminates in a dissertation or industry project, often partnered with a farm or business. The professional placement year allows you to apply these skills in a real working environment.
Who it's for
This course suits those interested in environmental science, sustainability practice and agriculture. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; recent accepted students typically had a UCAS tariff of 96–111 points. You should be prepared for a blend of theoretical study and hands-on application, with a dedicated placement year to test your knowledge in professional settings.
University & format
The Royal Agricultural University is a public university founded in 1842, located on its main campus. This is a full-time, four-year course (including the professional placement year) taught in English, leading to a BSc (Hons) degree. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so your degree is nationally recognised. It holds Silver status from the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality.
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.
Professional 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 L8N2). 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 | £27,000 | £24,000 – £30,000 | 20 |
| 3 years after | £25,000 | £20,000 – £31,500 | 120 |
| 5 years after | £31,000 | £25,000 – £38,500 | 115 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
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. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. 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 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- 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
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,000. 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 8.2 out of 10: NSS 72.9% · in work or study 90% · continued 84%.
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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