Welcome to the course at the Duchy College University Centre, based close to the Cornwall and Devon border!

Agriculture is undoubtedly at a time of change, with severe challenges, including reduced and changed support funding, climate change, rising food quality demands and an expectation to enhance the environment. This agriculture degree is designed to turn these challenges into opportunities by providing tools to assist you in entering the sector, whether as farmers, managers, advisors, or applied scientists, as the digital agricultural revolution takes place.

There is a demand from both the farming and the ancillary sectors including animal nutrition, agronomy, farm consultancies and research and development organisations for a unique type of graduate with excellent knowledge of underlying economic principles and policy, along with a high level of understanding of science and the ability to critically evaluate and apply new technologies to a sector, which is lagging others in the uptake of technology.

We are a recognised centre of agricultural knowledge exchange excellence through the activities of Duchy College’s Rural Business School (RBS) and our ‘Future Farm’ applied dairy research facility. We will use these resources to include a wide range of guest speakers, on-farm activities and participation in farm events, trials and conferences to give you the expertise, knowledge and skills you need to meet the demands of employers in the sector.

The programme will cater for those applicants wishing to enter the sector in farm management roles as well as for those wishing to enter as applied scientists and advisors. The latter groups would be encouraged to progress to the BSc (Hons) Agriculture Level 6, accredited by the University of Plymouth.

I am Paul Ward, your manager for both our BSc (Hons) Agriculture and FdSc Agriculture programmes.

Feel free to get in touch with any queries about your course. My contact details are: 

Email: paul.ward@duchy.ac.uk 

Tel: 07967 131712 and 01579 372315

Paul Ward | Programme Manager BSc (Hons) Agricuture and FdSc Agriculture

Module	Staff	Description	Credits
Agrifood Economics and Policy TCCG1009	Paul Ward	The module is designed to explore the relationship between agriculture, food processing and the consumer. Students will gain an understanding of economics and policy with regard to the agri-food sector, the creation and ownership of value across the agri-food chain and supply chain management issues.	20
Crop Production and  Soil Science TCCG1010	Lisa Hambly	This module will develop a basic understanding and working knowledge of the scientific principles involved in crop and soil science, Students will explore the role of soil in agriculture and the importance of good management to ensure successful productivity for growing crops and beyond.	20
Livestock Production TCCG1011	Georgie Radmore	This module will deliver the fundamentals of the biology of farm animals, livestock production systems, scientific principles of health, breeding and behaviour and the application of these to the successful production of farm livestock, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and contemplating key financial considerations.	20
Research Skills and  Development TCCG1012	Georgie Radmore Kelly Bude	This module introduces research and research principles to allow students to investigate a range of recognised agricultural production techniques. Students will be introduced to data collection, statistical analysis and the importance of research planning, incorporating the concept of reliable, repeatable and reproducible data. This module will support the students’ academic progress and skills development to improve overall employability.	20
Agricultural Mechanisation and Technology TCCG1013	Tom Gill	This module will provide examples of the use, construction and principles of a range of agricultural machinery and technologies. It will also introduce students to the range of options available when considering the suitability and financial viability of machinery purchase including the fast pace of new technologies, their uses and options available.  Students will evaluate working practices with regard to safety and wellbeing.	20
Farm Business TCCG1014	Paul Ward	This module is designed to provide an understanding of farm business finances considering preparation, examination and interpretation of financial and management accounts. Students will explore the opportunities for grant application and other income sources in line with current governmental policy. In addition, students will also be provided with opportunities to evaluate communication skills, alongside investigation of employment legislation.	20

 

Module	Staff	Description	Credits
Strategic Business Planning TCCG2036	Paul Ward	This module will enable the student to develop a strategic development plan and simulate the process of setting up a business, having identified a range of resources available to the business and an appreciation of the influence of farming system and wider issues affecting the business.	20
Agricultural Management in Practice TCCG2037	Paul Ward	The module allows the students to undertake a period of work not less than 80 hours within agricultural enterprises. Prior to commencing work, students will complete a reflective portfolio with regard to their own skills and employability. Following work placement, the students will conduct a critical analysis of the skills and abilities that they have gained to update their CVs.	20
Analysis and Development of Livestock Enterprises TCCG2038	Georgie Radmore	Production of any livestock should reflect all influences, both internal and external, on the business, including market and animal and legislative requirements, ethical and environmental considerations and welfare. This module will bring these together in a cohesive manner for selected production systems.	20
Crop Technology and Marketing TCCG2039	Lisa Hambly	Production of any crop should be as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. This module explores ways in which management decisions can optimise production in a way that has ideally a positive impact on the environment. Management practices will be considered alongside current governmental policy and land management strategies.	20
Research Project TCCG2040	Georgie Radmore Kelly Bude	This module allows students to select a topic relating to agriculture for examination, to undertake a review of the literature on the subject and conduct a detailed original investigation.	20
Contemporary Issues TCCG2041	Paul Ward	This module will enable the student to explore current and future issues affecting the rural/land-based industry, such as legislation, policy, research and development and local and global markets. It will identify changing business threats and opportunities. The module will also explore issues surrounding health, safety and well-being issues.	20

 

You will be involved in a variety of field trips during the year; the majority of these will be free, but their may be a contribution required for travel and accommodation. Allow approximately £50 for such expenses.

The following are essential for your studies:

• Laptop computer
• Overalls (boiler suit preferable)
• Pen and paper
• USB pen drive to allow back-up and transport of files
• Waterproofs
• Wellington boots

Upon enrolling in your course at Cornwall College, you will receive the appropriate reading lists for your modules.

Suggested reading would be industry magazines:

• Arable Farmer
  
• British Dairying
  
• Dairy Farmer
  
• Farmers Guardian
  
• Farmers Weekly

An industry textbook:

Soffe, R. and Lobley, M. (Eds) (2021) The Agricultural Notebook. 21^st Edition. Chichester. Wiley-Blackwell.

(Speak to the course manager for a discounted cost copy)

Websites

Listening