About the course
Agricultural technology has been identified as one of eight key technologies in the UK Government’s industrial strategy. This course gives you the skills and connections to play your part in the step-change required to develop a forward-thinking, professionalised industry.
This Foundation degree has been designed to help meet the need for skilled and motivated people to enter this dynamic industry. It is delivered in partnership with Shuttleworth College near Bedford.
Conservation techniques, scientific research and business enterprise are key components of the course, combined with an extended period of business-related industry experience. You will also benefit from our extensive links with the East of England Agricultural Society, the NFU and the local farming community as you develop your knowledge and technical skills in areas such as crop production and livestock management.
Why choose this course?
- Develop your understanding of health and welfare; land management; agricultural science; and biotechnology
- Explore your subject with highly skilled and experienced staff who have a wealth of industry knowledge and connections
- Benefit from working on the Shuttleworth College Estate, which contains a conservation area of 135 hectares of arable land as well as heathland, woodland and wetland areas
- When you complete the Foundation degree, challenge yourself with the University’s superb progression opportunities, allowing you to further develop your specialist knowledge and technical skills
Course Leader - Dr Robin Maytum
My research centres around the use of biochemical and biophysical techniques to characterise the functioning of proteins and protein complexes.
As such I apply a range of techniques from molecular biology (gene cloning, mutagenesis), through protein expression and purification, to characterisation using enzyme assays, and biophysical techniques such as fluorescence.
Units
- Business Development In Agriculture And Land Management (AGR001-1) Compulsory
- Scientific Methods For Agriculture (AGR002-1) Compulsory
- Sustainable Crop Production (AGR003-1) Compulsory
- Sustainable Livestock Production, Health And Welfare (AGR004-1) Compulsory
- Agricultural Science Biotechnology (AGR002-2) Compulsory
- Business Enterprise In The Agricultural Sector (AGR003-2) Compulsory
- Investigating Sustainable Agriculture (AGR004-2) Compulsory
- Sustainable Land Management (AGR001-2) Compulsory
Throughout the Foundation Degree in Agriculture, assessment is used to: - Diagnose your potential - Identify and evaluate your progress - Provide a means of feedback to you - Enable you to demonstrate achievement - Enable measurement of your achievement - Enable staff to identify excellence in teaching Contribute to quality assurance procedures across the college / university. Your skills, knowledge acquisition and understanding will be demonstrated by the successful completion of the range of assessments embedded in the programme. All assessments will be undertaken as described in each units learning outcomes and will be both formative (computer based exercises, non-assessed practicals, presentations and class exercises) and summative (unseen and seen examinations, computer-based assessments, essays, practical reports, practical skills assessments, seminar presentations, laboratory skills and written reports). Staff will provide you with full and constructive feedback on the work you do, as it is a central part of the teaching and learning process on this programme. There is also a commitment to obtain feedback on your time spent with any host organisation providing work-based learning and we will share this with you too.
Why Study in the School of Life Sciences?
- Specialist laboratories in new £40m STEM building
- 92% satisfaction with Biological Science, NSS 2020
Entry Requirements
A Foundation Degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation Degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 32-48 points, based on your level 3 studies.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don't have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Extra Costs
Bedfordshire is a small county with lots to offer.
However you enjoy spending your free time, you won’t have to look far in Bedfordshire to find somewhere to relax, socialise or explore the great outdoors.
We are also conveniently located around 30 minutes by train from London, offering you the city experience with a homely feel.
Bedfordshire offers:
- A range of pubs, clubs and restaurants
- High street and independent shopping
- Museums, galleries and theatres - and our own University Theatre
- Entertainment centres
- Stunning countryside
- Professional sport and world-class facilities
- Headquarters of a number of notable UK and international companies
- Luton International Carnival and Bedford River Festival
Campuses in Buckinghamshire
We also have campuses in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
