BSc Agriculture with International Foundation Year - September Entry

Compulsory modules  

Foundation Programme: Biology

Explore the life cycle of cells and the chemical reactions that give them energy and allow them to replicate. You’ll also study the biology of the human body and about natural selection and genetics. Through practical classes, you’ll familiarise yourself with laboratory work, as well as handling and interpreting data.  

Ecology and the Environment 

Explore key concepts and processes associated with both the physical and living environment and the interactions of both within ecosystems.

Environmental Sustainability 

Explore the causes and consequences of global contemporary sustainability issues. You’ll critique and evaluate both theoretical and actual methods used to minimise the harm caused through anthropogenic activities whilst recognise the interconnected nature of environmental problems.

Mathematics Foundation 

Learn the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of mathematical problems. You'll gain general mathematical skills as well as skills that are more related to your degree programme. 

Optional modules

Academic Skills

Enhance your academic study and communication skills while gradually building confidence and mastering transferable abilities. Engage in various in-class group activities and individual study tasks to develop these skills effectively.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Agricultural Production Systems

Discover the key biological principles in crop and livestock science along with an international perspective on crop and livestock production.

Agricultural Research Skills

You’ll be introduced to a range of research topics and methods currently used within the agriculture industry. You’ll plan, conduct and analyse a group research project working alongside a member of our research staff.  

Agriculture in Practice 1

Develop an understanding of a range of farming systems, types of farm management practices and agricultural businesses. You’ll be introduced to the concept of rural entrepreneurship and will be guided in the development of innovative business structures and ventures.  

Animal Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition 1

Gain a fundamental understanding of how animals' function (and sometimes malfunction) as integrated biological systems. You will study many of the main organ systems including the cardiovascular, respiratory and locomotory systems, and explore digestive physiology and animal nutrition.  

Crop Physiology, Nutrition and Protection

Discover the inner workings of various crop families, understand how crop plants thrive and evolve, and learn their specific requirements for nutrients, water, and light at different growth stages. Additionally, you'll delve into how crops react physiologically when faced with less-than-ideal conditions. 

Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects

Explore key ecological and eco-social challenges of our time, their causes, proposals to address them and associated debate across several disciplines. 

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Agriculture in Practice 2

Explore professional practice in the agriculture industry and discover the range of career opportunities in the sector. Through networking opportunity and field trips, you’ll gain a range of essential career planning skills.

Crop Agronomy

Discover how to manage a UK cereal crop at a basic level, and understand the nutritional cycles and the rationale for agrochemical use behind arable production.

Data Skills

Learn about the principles of experimental design, data management and visualisation and common statistical methods for analysing datasets. You’ll gain the ability to collect data in a rigorous way, process that data, analyse and interpret it and communicate the results.

Farm Business Management

Learn how to analyse a business's financial requirements, assess different investment options, and explore various farming approaches, including regenerative farming, organic agriculture, sustainability, and rural business diversification.

Livestock Production, Nutrition and Welfare

Learn about the factors that will influence the management of food producing animals. Through a series of lectures and farm visits, you’ll explore a range of livestock production systems and investigate how nutrition and management interact with welfare and other factors to determine the long-term sustainability of animal production. 

Optional modules

Animal Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition 2

Discover the science behind how animals are successfully fed, how they develop, reproduce and successfully rear their young. Learn about the fundamental nutritional requirements, and assimilation of nutrients.

Principles of Horticulture and Crop Production

Develop an understanding of the principles of horticultural production used by specific sections of the horticulture industry.  

Veterinary Health and Disease

Develop your knowledge in animal health biology, including immunology and epidemiology. You’ll deepen your understanding of evidence-based approaches to evaluate a range of animal health and disease challenges, and propose appropriate disease management strategies.

Farmland and Woodland: Ecology and Management of Semi-Natural Habitats

Explore the ecology and management of land used for agriculture and forestry, while considering how historically humans developed land. You’ll discover the underlying ecological mechanisms impacting on productivity and biodiversity and get an introduction on the concepts of management planning for particular sites.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Agricultural Technology: Application, Adoption and Ethics 

Explore different agricultural technologies and their contribution to sustainability, and consider how we can encourage their adoption on farms. You’ll discover the ethics of new agricultural technologies, exploring different visions of future innovation, and the various issues associated with the proposed ‘fourth agricultural revolution’. 

Independent Research Project

Through your dissertation project, you’ll identify a particular research question stemming from existing knowledge as represented in literature. You’ll provide an evidence-based answer, using data collected through different methods, as well as drawing on academic texts. 

Plus at least one of:

Cereal Management and Marketing

Become familiar with the principles and practices of growing, assessing and selling cereal crops for different markets. You’ll evaluate the effects of genotype, agronomy, and environment on the yield and quality of small-grained cereals, and determine their impact on end-use, marketing and financial margins.   

Advanced Livestock Production and Product Quality

Develop a more advanced understanding of the factors and processes which affect the composition and eating quality of meat, and the quality and profitability of milk production.  

Optional modules

Advances in Bioveterinary Science

Gain a more advanced understanding of a range of contemporary issues and knowledge of scientific approaches that researchers use at the forefront of bioveterinary sciences to tackle challenges. You’ll attend lectures, participate in critical discussions, and undertake independent project work. 

Agricultural Systems in the Tropics

Discover tropical agriculture and farming systems, focusing on the physical, climatic, edaphic and biological factors affecting crop and animal production.  

Business Management and Entrepreneurship

Learn how to work with real client businesses and entrepreneurs to develop successful management proposals and solve challenges. You’ll develop skills required to prepare and assess business proposal and plans by working with clients. 

Climate Smart Agriculture

Develop your knowledge of climate change and agriculture and your ability to use and critique research methods. You’ll gain a detailed understanding of the complexity of tackling world-wide issues, all within the framework of Climate Smart Agriculture.  

Equine Science and Management

Develop an understanding of the health, nutritional, reproductive and behavioural needs for different groups of equids with specific focus on evidence-based decision making in equine management.  

Horticultural Crop Technology

Develop your knowledge and understanding of horticultural crop technology, covering advanced scientific aspects and fostering innovative thinking for enhancing production efficiency through technology research and critical evaluation. 

Principles of Integrated Pest Management 

Explore the principles of integrated pest management, which is employed worldwide to enhance plant health and sustainable agriculture, including learning about pest types, management techniques, and real-world applications. 

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.