Access to Higher Education (Land-based studies

Employability and industry links

The subject content in both courses aims to give a solid foundation in the green sector, producing the food and managing the land in an innovative and sustainable way. Importantly, the theoretical subject knowledge is combined with skills and topical knowledge demanded by the needs of the industry.

The first year will provide the foundation science of agriculture, focusing on the life cycle and important balance between crops and animals for a sustainable environment. A module of Academic Skills introduces students to managing academic work for subsequent years of study and in working life, and the year finishes with a supervised and assessed work placement.

The second year will develop the skills and knowledge required for employment in the agricultural industry, with research, data collection and industry engagement all fundamental.

The third year will allow depth and time spent on a research project that will be the dissertation. This will combine skills in data collection, statistics and subject knowledge together with critical thinking to present a report on a topical subject. It can be done in conjunction with an agricultural company, institute or departmental legal body in the agricultural sector. The year is focused on developing a range of wider skills and knowledge required in the modern dynamic agricultural sector and will include business diversification, marketing and sustainable agricultural systems for a global market. Barfoots of Botley

Leckford Estate (John Lewis Partnership)

Vitacress Salads

Savills Land Agents

Natural England

As well as local farmers and the National Farmers’ Union

Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)

Amy I was originally doing a different degree elsewhere and then I changed pathway Student Story and joined the Access to Higher Education course at Sparsholt. I have a family background in farming so when I heard that there was an Agriculture degree starting here, I thought ‘I’ll jump on it’ and I couldn’t have made a better choice. I’ve absolutely enjoyed every part of it! I was always a livestock girl, but I’ve actually moved over to really enjoying arable as well.

I’m really excited to be in the next generation of young farmers especially coming from Sparsholt because of all the facilities and technology we have here like the AI facilities, the milking parlour and the tractors with GPS. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a farming background because you learn the basics in the first year, then you feel prepared and confident going on to your second year. Even though I came from that background, I have still learned more than I thought I would.

The support you get at University Centre Sparsholt is absolutely incredible and I think that’s one of the reasons I’m really happy I chose to come here. Bigger universities are not the place for me - I do need that one-to-one support and here you can ask any teacher and they will help you no matter what, they will make an appointment with you and everyone has been incredible at helping me move forward with things like work experience or support with assignments.

The support at Sparsholt is absolutely incredible and I couldn’t have picked a better place.

Amy BSc Agriculture