Sustainable Agriculture (QA only), BSc (Plumpton College)
Gain the knowledge to develop a practical, holistic and critical approach to sustainable agricultural management and farming systems to make a difference within the rewarding agri-food industry.
This programme has been informed by the significant changes in the UK agricultural industry both post-Brexit and in the context of climate change. Everyone relies on farming, food production and the agri-food industry. Global challenges in sustainability, food security and natural resource management are growing. This degree aims to equip students with the critical skills and knowledge to develop and manage agri-food businesses both in the UK and internationally and be part of the solution for planet repair and food security.
The programme will draw on developing theories of sustainable and regenerative agriculture incorporating a practical focus where employability, communication, entrepreneurial problem-solving skills and management expertise will be key outcomes. The Government’s clear policy direction towards a low carbon environmentally sustainable economy will demand new and adaptive skills, which are not readily available in traditional course structures.
This BSc course will help you to
- Develop a thorough knowledge and practical understanding of current agricultural management techniques and principles.
- Investigate and evaluate new and adaptive skills, competencies emerging in the agricultural and land management environments, with particular reference to changing society and policy pressures.
- Gain key graduate skills to be career ready. Learn to communicate accurately, confidently, and appropriately to a variety of audiences using a range of formats and employing appropriate technical language.
The accelerated BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture degree is delivered over two years. It is high paced and rewarding, ensuring you are ready to enter the industry faster and equipped with key skills required from the rapidly evolving sustainable agriculture sector.
UCAS points
104 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
D448
Location
Duration
2 years blended learning
Start month
September
Fees information
For fee information related to this course, please see fees section below
What you should know about this course
* Fees for this programme are being reviewed by the partner college and may be subject to change for 2025-26 up to a maximum of £9,535 per year.
What you will study
Validated / Quality Assured (QA) Programmes: these are programmes approved (‘validated’) and quality assured by the University of Greenwich for delivery by one of our Partner Colleges. They lead to a University of Greenwich award.
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
- Agronomy & Cropping Systems (15 credits)
- Introduction to Livestock Science and Production (15 credits)
- Introduction to the Rural Economy (15 credits)
- Nutrients and Water (15 credits)
- Principles of Machinery (15 credits)
- Waste Management, Recycling and Energy (15 credits)
- Integrated Crop Production (15 credits)
- Livestock Production (15 credits)
- Agricultural Mechanisation and Technology (15 credits)
- Sustainable Soil Management (15 credits)
- Introduction to GIS (15 credits)
- Ecology, Biodiversity and Natural Resources (15 credits)
Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
- Sustainable Business Management (15 credits)
- Sustainable Farming Communities (15 credits)
- Sustainable Horticultural Technologies (15 credits)
- Advanced Global Livestock and Forage Systems (15 credits)
- Agricultural Business Planning (15 credits)
- Computers in Sustainable Agriculture (15 credits)
- Emerging technologies and precision cropping systems (15 credits)
- Farming across scales for food security (15 credits)
- Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change (15 credits)
- Research Methods and Statistics (15 credits)
- Honours Project (30 credits)
About the course team
A programme manager leads the course supported by module tutors from industry and a range of subject experts within the field of sustainable agriculture.
Entry requirements
We consider a wide range of Level 3 qualifications with UCAS Tariff points, specifically:
- A Level: three subjects (BCC)
- BTEC National: Extended Diploma (DMM)
- International Baccalaureate: 26 Points overall
- Access to HE in Chemistry and/or Biology: 104 Points
We also consider alternative qualifications at Level 3, such as OCR Cambridge Technical, AQA Tech-Level, and a range of international qualifications at Level 3 equivalent.
We also consider applicants with relevant industrial experience if over 21 years of age.
We expect a minimum of five GCSEs, including Mathematics and English at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the A*-G system).
Students with English as a second language will be required to have gained IELTS at 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing.
For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
We welcome applications from mature students.
For more information, contact the HE team (HEoffice@plumpton.ac.uk).
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Learning experience
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
Depending on your course, class sizes vary by module. Students have opportunities for 1 to 1 contact time with an academic tutor throughout their studies. This course provides a unique opportunity for those wanting to study while gaining work experience.
Independent learning
At university, you must develop the ability to work more independently than you have done before. In the early stages of the degree, you will receive a higher level of support from module leaders and personal tutors. In years 2 and 3, you will need to demonstrate an increasing ability to build upon material delivered in lectures and practice through independent reading. Greenwich graduates should be able to think and work independently, analytically and creatively to solve problems.
Overall workload
You should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assignments taken at the college and to release examination results within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, contact the HE team (HEoffice@plumpton.ac.uk)
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning |
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University is a great investment in your future. English-domiciled graduate annual salaries were £10,500 more than non-graduates in 2023 - and the UK Government projects that 88% of new jobs by 2035 will be at graduate level.
(Source: DfE Graduate labour market statistics: 2023/DfE Labour market and skills projections: 2020 to 2035).
* Fees for this programme are being reviewed by the partner college and may be subject to change for 2025-26 up to a maximum of £9,535 per year.
Other costs
Learning resources are available via the College library, accessible on campus or online. There is no formal requirement to purchase textbooks. Any costs associated with travel, accommodation and everyday stationary will be the student’s responsibility.
Agriculture students may be required to purchase PPE for biosecurity purposes when accessing the campus farm. A list will be provided but typically includes waterproof trousers, waterproof coat and steel-toe capped boots.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
The Greenwich Bursary
This bursary is worth £700 for new undergraduate students with a low household income, entering Year 0 or 1 who meet the eligibility criteria.
EU Bursary
Following the UK's departure from the European Union, we are supporting new EU students by offering a substantial fee-reduction for studying.
Financial support
We want your time at university to be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress, so planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
The expectation is that most students will be in employment when enrolling or relatively soon into the first stages of the course. The accelerated degree embeds industry work placement activities as part of the curriculum. The result being that students are ‘learning on the job’ and therefore boosting their graduate opportunities. These hours of industry work placement will be completed across the non-attended weeks where students are engaged with online, distance learning.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
The BSc in Sustainable Agriculture will lead to exciting careers within the agri-food sector such as agricultural consultancy, agri-food supply chain management, farm management, national and international policy development.
Do you provide employability services?
Plumpton College has a dedicated Careers team ready to assist students both on campus and online.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
Students have access to academic tutors on campus and online throughout the duration of their course. Additionally, students who have a learning difficulty, disability and/or ongoing health condition may be able to access reasonable adjustments to support their studies. Support is available to help students apply and access Disabled Student Allowance through either the Inclusive Learning and Development Department or the HE Office.
Support from the department
The Library boasts a collection of over 8,000 books, covering a range of key subject areas within land-based curriculum. The Library also provides students with access to a variety of magazines, periodicals and academic journals through online databases.
Mode of study
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