COURSE CURRICULUM

BSc Agriculture with Placement Year at University of Reading combines scientific knowledge, practical agricultural training, business management, and professional industry experience to prepare students for careers across the modern agricultural sector. In the first year, students build a strong foundation in crop and livestock science through modules such as Agricultural Production Systems, Animal Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition 1, Crop Physiology, Nutrition and Protection, Agricultural Research Skills, Agriculture in Practice 1, and Global Sustainability. These modules introduce the biological principles behind agricultural production, farming systems, research methods, sustainability challenges, and rural entrepreneurship. In the second year, students develop advanced practical and analytical skills through Agriculture in Practice 2, Crop Agronomy, Data Skills, Farm Business Management, and Livestock Production, Nutrition and Welfare. They learn how to manage crops and livestock effectively, analyse agricultural data, evaluate farm finances, and understand the long-term sustainability of food production systems. Optional modules allow further study in animal nutrition, veterinary health, horticulture, ecology, and land management. A distinctive feature of the programme is the Professional Placement Year, where students complete a minimum of 40 weeks of full-time employment within the agricultural industry. This placement enables them to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings, gain valuable professional experience, strengthen industry networks, and enhance their employability. In the final year, students focus on emerging agricultural challenges through Agricultural Technology: Application, Adoption and Ethics and an Independent Research Project. They also specialise through advanced modules such as Cereal Management and Marketing or Advanced Livestock Production and Product Quality. Additional options include Climate Smart Agriculture, Agricultural Systems in the Tropics, Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Equine Science and Management, Horticultural Crop Technology, Integrated Pest Management, and Advances in Bioveterinary Science. Throughout the degree, students benefit from extensive practical learning opportunities, including access to approximately 800 hectares of university-owned farmland, research facilities, field visits, and industry engagement. Graduates leave with a strong combination of scientific expertise, practical agricultural knowledge, business awareness, and professional experience, making them highly competitive for careers in agribusiness, farm management, agricultural consultancy, food production, agricultural technology, environmental management, research, policy, and international agriculture.