Agricultural Professional Practice

This postgraduate course is studied over the course of three years. It is aimed at anyone with an interest in leadership and management, policy making, planning and project management in the land-based industries.

This course has been developed to meet an identified need for highly qualified people in the agricultural sector who have an understanding of both the business and technical aspects of the industry.

Aimed at people interested in a career in the land-based industries in a professional capacity, it aims to provide the technical and management skills required in modern agricultural professional practice, along with a knowledge and understanding of how policy decisions impact the land-based sector. You'll also gain the ability to appraise research information and apply it to sustainable agricultural practice.

The course is offered on a part-time distance learning basis to make it accessible to those in employment or with family commitments. Applicants have come from a wide range of backgrounds, including farmers, growers, vets and other agricultural and food sector workers.

The MSc Agricultural Professional Practice degree is validated by the University of Glasgow.

What you'll learn

In order to develop your own area of expertise, there are a number of elective modules in business, crop or livestock production.

Many positions in the land-based industries require professional qualifications, so there is also potential within the course to study FACTS, BASIS or AMTRA (additional fee and assessment required).

The Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) considers this course as suitable evidence of CPD if you're pursuing ‘Professional Agriculturalist’ status.

The programme combines eight modules covering technical production, management, and skills development.

The five core modules are:

Professional Leadership and Management

Food and Agricultural Policy

Business Planning and Decision Making

Project Management for Agricultural Professionals

Topical Issues in Modern Agriculture

You'll also choose three elective modules from a range including:

Integrated Agricultural Management

Sustainable Nutrient Management

Animal Health and Veterinary Medicine

Arable Crop Protection

Grassland and Fodder Crop Protection

Animal Feed Technology