BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management

Study at the forefront of crop management with this industry recognised programme, informed by the latest research, extensive agri-sector networks and expert staff.

Efficient crop production remains key to sustained and effective use of rural resources. However, over recent years crop management systems have undergone considerable change. The emphasis has shifted away from purely commercial objectives, and modern crop managers must increasingly justify inputs and assess the impact of their activities on the environment. These new demands are challenging and complex and require highly skilled and knowledgeable individuals to manage them successfully.

After a common first year, in your second year you will start to specialise in crop science and agronomy, studying areas such as soil management and crop nutrition, crop protection, crop physiology and fresh produce production, whilst continuing to study more general aspects of agriculture, such as grass and forage production, waste management and farm business management and economics.

In the final part of the course, your specialisation becomes complete and the focus is on crop management, studying areas such as sustainable crop production, advances in agronomy, crop breeding, post-harvest technology and a research project focused on crop management.

Work placement

In your third year you will enjoy at least 12 months of paid employment in a sector of agriculture or the ancillary industries, depending on your individual interests and skills. Placements may involve working for large integrated arable or fresh produce businesses, a crop processor, packer and distributor, or as a field trials officer for one of the major crop protection companies. Recent placement employers include G’s Fresh, Syngenta, UPL, KWS, and BASF.

You will usually undertake paid employment for at least 12 months. Agriculture students wishing to undertake a farm placement are required to work at least 50 miles away from home and are not normally permitted to return to previous employers.

Students also have the opportunity to access a range of overseas placements, with the support of supporting agents, where possible. Students may undertake placement in the USA, Australia or New Zealand, for example. Several commercial scholarship opportunities, linked to placement, are available to apply for, with sponsoring companies paying a significant amount towards the tuition fees of successful applicants.