Land
Studying for a degree with an integrated foundation year will offer you a supportive environment if you have been out of education for a few years or do not have the necessary UCAS points from your recent course of study.
The Foundation Year (Agriculture) is the first year of a four-year undergraduate degree. Following the completion of the foundation year students will progress onto their pre chosen agriculture degree pathway.
Students can choose from the following integrated foundation year agriculture degree courses.
BSc (Hons) Agriculture (with Foundation Year)
UCAS Code:DF02
BSc (Hons) Sustainable Food Production (Fresh Produce) with Foundation Year
UCAS Code:DF62
BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Regenerative Systems and Livestock) with Foundation Year
UCAS Code:DF54
BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Regenerative Systems) with Foundation Year
UCAS Code:DF09
Course Modules
| FOUNDATION YEAR | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B | ||||||||||||||||||
| Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits) |
Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits) |
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| Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits) |
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| Maths and IT for Science (15 credits) |
Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits) |
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| Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits) |
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Please note:
Following successful completion, students will progress to the next year of their pre chosen Agriculture degree course programme.
Please see our Agriculture degree course programmes below for details of modules taught following the foundation year.
BSc (Hons) Agriculture (with Foundation Year)
| STAGE ONE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Graduate, Professional Skills (15 credits) |
|
| Principles of Sustainable Development (15 credits) |
|
| Introduction to Livestock and Production Systems (15 credits) |
|
| Integrated Production Systems (AG) (15 credits) |
|
| Biological Processes (15 credits) |
Climate, Soils and Land Use (15 credits) |
| Agribusiness Management for a Circular Economy (15 credits) |
|
| Global and Local Food Systems (15 credits) |
|
| STAGE TWO | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Academic and Professional Development (30 credits) |
|
| Political and Economic Contexts (15 credits) |
International Value Chain (15 credits) |
| Livestock Production Systems (30 credits) |
|
| Issues and Solutions In Production (15 credits) |
|
| Fresh Produce Production (15 credits) |
|
| STAGE THREE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Dissertation (30 credits) |
|
| Natural Resources Management (15 credits) |
|
| Livestock Technology (15 credits) |
Developments in Livestock Production (15 credits) |
| Integrating Science and Crop Management (15 credits) |
|
| Sustainable Business Solutions (Applied Business & Enterprise Project) (30 credits) |
|
BSc (Hons) Sustainable Food Production (Fresh Produce) with Foundation Year
| STAGE ONE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Graduate, Professional Skills (15 credits) |
|
| Principles of Sustainable Development (15 credits) |
|
| Integrated Production Systems (15 credits) |
|
| Biological Processes (15 credits) |
Climate, Soils and Land Use (15 credits) |
| Global and Local Food Systems (15 credits) |
|
| Agribusiness Management for a Circular Economy (30 credits) |
|
| STAGE TWO | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Academic and Professional Development (30 credits) |
|
| Political and Economic Contexts (15 credits) |
Environmental Management (15 credits) |
| Fresh Produce Production (15 credits) |
|
| International Value Chain (option A) (30 credits) |
|
| Plant Physiology (15 credits) |
International Value Chain (option B) (30 credits) |
| STAGE THREE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Dissertation (30 credits) |
|
| Natural Resources Management (15 credits) |
|
| Optional UK / European study tour or equivalent | |
| Crop Management Technologies (15 credits) |
Global Trends in Production (15 credits) |
| International Trade and Markets (15 credits) |
|
| Sustainable Business Solutions (30 credits) |
|
Key
| OPTIONAL MODULES |
|---|
Optional modules
Students can select one 30 credit optional module from stage two.
Note
These are the modules that are offered in this academic year; however, modules may be subject to change for the following reasons:
- Staff availability - for example the availability of staff to deliver specialist modules, which cannot be delivered by staff who do not have the relevant specialist expertise.
- In response to feedback and annual review processes to ensure we continually enhance our programmes. Changes in these circumstances will usually be made for the benefit of students.
- Student demand - to ensure there are adequate numbers on a module to support the provision of an excellent Learning & Teaching experience.
- The currency of the relevant module. Some modules are specified at a time when they reflect the issues that are currently topical in the subject area. They may have lost that currency by the time that the student is required to exercise the option. In the circumstances, in order to ensure that students are provided with an appropriate learning experience, those modules will be replaced by those which are relevant to the changing nature of the subject area.
The Writtle University College will endeavour to ensure that any impact on students is limited if such changes occur.
BSc (Hons) Agriculture (Regenerative Systems and Livestock) with Foundation Year
| STAGE ONE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Graduate, Professional Skills (15 credits) |
|
| Principles of Sustainable Development (15 credits) |
|
| Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture (30 credits) |
|
| Biological Processes (15 credits) |
Climate, Soils and Land Use (15 credits) |
| Global and Local Food Systems (15 credits) |
|
| Agribusiness Management for a Circular Economy (15 credits) |
|
| STAGE TWO | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Academic and Professional Development (30 credits) |
|
| Organic and Sustainable Farming (15 credits) |
Agroforestry (15 credits) |
| Livestock Production Systems (30 credits) |
|
| Issues and Solutions in Production (15 credits) |
|
| Political and Economic Contexts (15 credits) |
|
| STAGE THREE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Dissertation (30 credits) |
|
| Natural Resources Management (15 credits) |
|
| Livestock Technology (15 credits) |
Developments in Livestock Production (15 credits) |
| Integrating Science, Crop and Livestock Management (15 credits) |
|
| Sustainable Business Solutions (30 credits) |
|
Agriculture (Regenerative Systems) with Foundation Year
| STAGE ONE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Graduate, Professional Skills (15 credits) |
|
| Principles of Sustainable Development (15 credits) |
|
| Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture (30 credits) |
|
| Biological Processes (15 credits) |
Climate, Soils and Land Use (15 credits) |
| Global and Local Food Systems (15 credits) |
|
| Agribusiness Management for a Circular Economy (15 credits) |
|
| STAGE TWO | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Academic and Professional Development (30 credits) |
|
| Organic and Sustainable Farming Systems (15 credits) |
Agroforestry (15 credits) |
| Political and Economic Contexts (15 credits) |
International Value Chain C (15 credits) |
| Issues and Solutions In Production (15 credits) |
|
| Fresh Produce Production (15 credits) |
|
| STAGE THREE | |
|---|---|
| SEMESTER A | SEMESTER B |
| Dissertation (30 credits) |
|
| Natural Resources Management (15 credits) |
|
| Integrating Science, Crop and Livestock Management (15 credits) |
|
| World, Heritage & Novel crops (15 credits) |
|
| Contemporary Issues in Food Production (15 credits) |
|
| Sustainable Business Solutions (30 credits) |
|
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have achieved 5 GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above, to include English and preferably Maths. Equivalent qualifications in lieu of GCSEs may also be considered. Consideration is also given to applicants who have significant industry experience, but no formal qualifications. Applications from mature candidates are welcomed.
UCAS Tariff Points
GCE A Levels
Irish Certificate
Scottish Highers
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Overseas students:
Considered on individual merit and level of qualifications / evidence of English language ability. International students will need an IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5 in all elements.
Mature Students:
We particularly welcome applications from mature students, each application is considered on its own merit.
Learning & Teaching Methods
Students are taught using a variety of learning and teaching methods, depending on your chosen agriculture degree course these include.
- Farm walks and practicals
- Animal handling practical's involving work with a wide range of farm livestock
- Lectures and tutorials
- Seminars and debates
- Inquiry-based learning
- Farm visits
- Online quizzes, wikis and activities
- Case studies
- Laboratory practical classes including dissections
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed in a variety of ways many of which are centred on the College farm, depending on your chosen agriculture degree course these include.
- Practical assessments with farm livestock
- Practical assessments with crops
- Examinations - both multiple choice and essay questions
- Presentations - both individually and in small groups
- Essays and technical reports
- Assessed seminars
- Case studies
- Business plans
- Experimental work and laboratory reports
- Poster presentations
- Debates
- Dissertation