Nottingham Trent University

What you'll study

This programme covers the core disciplines needed for modern commercial agriculture, delivered through a mix of lectures, laboratory practicals, fieldwork and farm-based teaching. Study areas typically include soil science and fertility, crop production and protection, animal husbandry and health, agricultural engineering and machinery, and farm business management.

• Soil science and crop production — soil properties, nutrient cycles, crop physiology, rotations, and integrated pest and disease management.
• Livestock systems and animal health — practical husbandry, nutrition, breeding, welfare and common disease management across beef, sheep and dairy systems.
• Agricultural engineering and mechanisation — farm machinery basics, maintenance, precision agriculture technologies and machinery safety.
• Farm business and enterprise — farm accounts, enterprise planning, risk management, commodity markets and sustainability assessments.
• Environment and sustainability — conservation practice, biodiversity on farms, agroecology and policy drivers for sustainable land use.
• Research methods and project — data collection, experimental design and an independent final-year project or dissertation based on practical research or industry placements.

Practical learning is a feature of the course, making use of Brackenhurst campus facilities, commercial demonstration units and field sites to develop hands-on skills such as soil sampling, herd health checks, machinery operation and crop monitoring. Opportunities for external work placements, industry visits and field trips complement campus-based teaching.

Entry requirements

Typical entrants have A-levels, BTEC qualifications or equivalent vocational qualifications with a substantial science, mathematics or land-based content. Subjects such as biology, chemistry, geography or agricultural science are highly relevant. Applicants without traditional academic qualifications but with substantial relevant work or farm experience are considered and may be invited to interview.

• GCSEs: passes in English and mathematics are normally required.
• A-levels/BTEC: a combination of academic or land-based vocational qualifications is appropriate; a science or quantitative subject is advantageous.
• International applicants: equivalent national qualifications and English language competence are required.

Applicants should check the university's official programme pages for precise entry criteria, guidance on acceptable qualifications and information about admissions interviews or selection activities.

Career prospects

Graduates from this degree go into a wide range of careers across the agri-food and land-management sectors. Typical roles include farm manager, agronomist, livestock advisor, technical sales representative for agricultural inputs, and roles in supply chain, food assurance and environmental stewardship.

• Advisory and consultancy work for farmers, co‑operatives and agri-businesses.
• Commercial roles with seed, fertiliser and machinery companies or in precision agriculture services.
• Positions in food production and supply chain management, quality assurance and farm assurance schemes.
• Landscape, conservation and environmental management roles that connect agriculture and biodiversity goals.
• Further study and research at postgraduate level in agronomy, animal science, soil science or agricultural engineering.

The programme emphasises employability through practical skills development, workplace placements and links with regional and national agricultural employers.

Why study at Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University delivers agriculture teaching from its Brackenhurst campus, a specialist centre for land-based education with extensive farm and laboratory facilities. Students benefit from hands-on learning on commercial demonstration farms, specialist workshops for machinery and animal handling, and access to research-informed teaching.

• Practical, campus-based facilities and real-farm environments to develop technical competence.
• Industry links and employer engagement that support placements, live projects and graduate recruitment.
• Interdisciplinary teaching that connects production agriculture with environmental and business perspectives.
• Support services including careers guidance, research supervision for final projects and opportunities to engage with extension and outreach activities.

Prospective students should visit the university's official pages or contact admissions for up-to-date information on course structure, optional modules and campus facilities.