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Harper Adams University has been providing world-leading, specialist education in the fields of agriculture, farming, and animal science for 120 years. It is now the UK’s market leader, by share of volume of students, for postgraduate degrees in agricultural and veterinary subjects (HESA, 2018).
The university offers master’s programmes developed in conjunction with industry, across a range of topics related to agricultural production, agri-tech, food industry management, global agri-business, ecology, conservation, land management, rural law, veterinary professions, mechatronic engineering and data science. Several routes are unique to Harper Adams in the UK, including entomology and plant pathology.
Postgraduate courses are heavily influenced by the unique, world-leading research being conducted at the university.
In the 2022 Research Excellence Framework, more than 60% of Harper Adams’ research was considered ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Students have access to a wide range of study facilities, on a campus that has seen investment of more than £50 million over the last decade.
In the Complete University Guide 2021 league tables, Harper Adams was placed 1st in the UK for facilities spend and was the highest-ranking post-92 university and the highest-ranking specialist higher education provider in the overall table.
Postgraduate
Harper Adams’ vision is to fill the shortage of scientific and technological expertise in the agriculture and food production industries, with highly qualified, work-ready graduates. Courses have been created to meet the demands of the agri-food chain industry and are heavily influenced by the world-leading research being undertaken on-campus.
Many are also accredited by relevant professional associations, such as: Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Institution of Agricultural Engineers, Institute of Chartered Foresters, and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Postgraduate taught routes include PgC, PgD, MSc, MEng, MProf and MRes qualifications. A full-time student can achieve their master’s degree in one year, while a part-time student can expect this to take a little longer depending on how many modules are completed each year.
The part-time option is popular with students wishing to fit study around work and personal commitments, but full-time works for those with commitments too. Postgraduate degrees at Harper Adams are delivered through ‘block-based study’, with each module being delivered in blocks of on-campus, face-to-face teaching that last one or two weeks.
In addition to this, students will be required to conduct further self-study away from campus. They will be fully supported via ‘The Learning Hub’, the university’s interactive virtual learning environment which has a range of learning aids.
There is an MRes option on most subjects, combining taught modules with an in-depth research project, for students who wish to enter research-based careers. The university also offers a number of MPhil and PhD opportunities across all departments.
All courses are underpinned by Harper Adams University’s extensive research and long-standing collaborations with other research institutes in the UK and abroad. Many are also accredited by relevant professional associations.
Entry requirements vary on a course by course basis, however for most taught postgraduate courses the minimum requirement is typically an honours degree at 2:2 or above (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. For some courses, a good HND, foundation degree, or graduate certificate/diploma may also be accepted.
Students who opt to return to postgraduate education at a later stage in their life may also be able to use the professional work experience towards their application.
For some courses, students may have to undergo an interview and provide references for any work experience used as part of the application process.
For research degrees, students will need a minimum of a 2:1 bachelor's degree and either further research experience or a master’s degree in a relevant subject. Students are advised to speak to the admissions team early, as they may be able to gain advice on the types of research experience that would be advantageous in their application.
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Harper Adams University’s strengths lie in the fields of agriculture, agricultural technology and agri-food business. The university has been providing specialist education in the fields of agriculture, land and farm management, and animal production and welfare for nearly 120 years, and that focus helps ensure the best quality of education possible.
Harper Adams is a test bed for a range of agricultural and land management technologies, from agronomy drones to cattle movement sensors. A new online programme in data science aims to enable agricultural professionals to make the most of these technologies as the sector drives forward.
Students at Harper Adams will benefit from the best facilities tailored to their study programme of choice. As well as the fully working farm, there are dedicated research centres and learning buildings equipped with the latest resources, helping students gain the advantages they need to become the next generation of leaders in their chosen field.
Harper Adams has very close links with industry and works with more than 700 businesses locally and further afield.
With a focus on applied science, students are supported to gain real-world skills and experience. The skills they pick up during their postgraduate qualification go beyond the academic learning, so that students are confident in their ability to immediately step into a career and succeed.
In addition, the careers service at Harper Adams provides excellent employment support to all students both during and after their studies, including:
One-to-one and group career planning, CV writing, and interview workshops
Annual careers fair, with national and international agri-business employers in attendance
Online job-search service with career opportunities
Students on research degrees are also fully supported through a professional development programme. Specialist advisors will be on hand to provide training in presentation and communication skills, time, and project management skills, and to give career planning and networking support.
The Harper Adams Students’ Union is run by a student-elected team of student officers, whose mission is to uphold the values of the university, create a united student body, and ensure the student voice is heard. They also provide friendly, non-judgmental, and confidential support to students on a variety of issues.
Clubs and societies
wide range of sports clubs and special interest societies which are available via the students’ union, from football, to music to the Christian Union. All clubs are open to all students, undergraduate or postgraduate, and membership fees are low.
City life
Harper Adams is nestled in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, close to the historical market town of Newport. In Newport, students will find picturesque streets lined with a mix of high street shops and independent boutiques, alongside plenty of quaint cafes and restaurants. For those who crave a little more entertainment, the bustling Telford – with its IMAX cinema, ice rink, and shopping centre – is also close by.
For students who want to keep active, there are plenty of walking, hiking, cycling, and other outdoor pursuits to try.
Postgraduate students can move into campus accommodation for the duration of their study or book a place only for block delivery weeks, subject to availability.
For students who don’t wish to live in university accommodation, there are plenty of private accommodation options in the nearby town of Newport or the village of Edgmond.
Facilities
Harper Adams comes equipped with all the facilities needed to support world-class learning and research.
In addition to the commercial farm, which includes dairy, pig, beef, sheep and arable enterprises, there is the Crop and Environment Research Centre, which allows students and research staff to replicate and study natural environments. The Jean Jackson Entomology building provides Controlled Temperature and Lighting rooms (CTL).
The Elizabeth Creek Building provides laboratories for anatomy, microbiology, agricultural and environmental study, the new Veterinary Education Centre worth £8.6 million, and the Weston building provides a state-of-the-art lecture theatre and seminar rooms.
The postgraduate and professional development centre features teaching, IT and social spaces specifically for postgraduate students. The Bamford Library provides access to about 40,000 books, over 50,000 online journals and a range of other resources. It also contains group and individual study rooms.
There is a wide range of student support on offer at Harper Adams, both academic and welfare based. If students are feeling stressed or finding university life difficult to cope with for any reason, they can visit the student wellbeing officer for confidential help and advice. The wellbeing officer can help identify any academic or disability support (such as extra time on assignments or exams) students may need, and can even give access to short-term loans.
They can also refer students to the university’s on-campus BACP-registered counsellors and mental health advisor, who provide both private sessions and group workshops on topics such anxiety management and resilient thinking.
There is also an on-campus chaplaincy service and an on-site doctor, who students can book appointments with during term time. Wider support services include careers guidance and broader study skills help, including drop-in workshops on how to write essays or reports, how to deliver effective presentations and more.
The university and its network of partners and donors offer a range of scholarships and bursaries through the Harper Adams University Development Trust. These awards ensure that all students have the resources needed to complete their studies in confidence, regardless of background.
Prospective students can visit the website for full details about eligibility and any key dates and deadlines.
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Taught postgraduate courses offered at Harper Adams, cover a wide range of agriculture, technology, food production, business, economics, environmental management and animal science subject areas. Courses have been designed to produce well-qualified, expert individuals who are highly employable throughout the food and agriculture industries or in government/policy-making positions.
Research
Harper Adams offers Master of Research (MRes) courses covering subjects such as applied mechatronic engineering, entomology, and ruminant nutrition and more
They also offer a number of two-year MPhil and three-year PhD opportunities across all academic departments, giving researchers the chance to work on some of the world’s most ground-breaking and innovative agri-business research projects. A list of current PhD projects can be found on the university’s website.
In the 2022 Research Excellence Framework, more than 60% of Harper Adams’ research was considered ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
Distance learning
Harper Adams offers a small number of courses that are delivered primarily through distance learning, with optional study days on campus where students can access practical classes to support their learning.
Students on these courses will be given access to The Learning Hub, the university’s interactive virtual learning environment, where they can access study notes, PowerPoint presentations, study tools such as quizzes and feedback tools.
Sound interesting?
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