CAFRE Degrees
CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus higher education in agriculture offerings consists of three main degree programmes.
These include a BSc (Honours) in Agricultural Technology, provided jointly by Queen’s University Belfast, a BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture, validated by Ulster University, and a Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Agriculture and Technology, also validated by the same university.
BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology
Firstly, its BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology degree is a full-time course, available over three or four years, depending on the work placement option that students select.
They complete years one and two at Greenmount Campus and spend their final year at Queen’s University, Belfast.
Students cover a range of modules, including applied crop science, enterprise technology, agri-food business management, marketing, and applied animal science.
Students undertake 120 credits per year and assessments are by means of a combination of coursework and examinations.
The academic year is divided into two semesters, the first of which runs from September to mid-January, and the second one follows from January through to mid-May.
Entry requirements include three A2 levels at Grade B or higher, including an approved science subject, GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C or above are also required.
Candidates presenting a BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Diploma should contact the admissions officer to enquire.
BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture
Secondly, its BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture is another course which can be studied both full-time or part-time at its Greenmount campus.
Its full-time offering runs for three or four years, depending if a student selects a work placement option.
On the other hand, its part-time course runs for up to seven years – depending on the number of modules studied per semester. It must be noted that students are restricted to 40 academic credits per semester for the part-time study mode.
There is a choice of two pathways: land management or agri-business, but students do not have to select until the final academic year, when they have several module options to choose from.
The course covers a range of modules, including farm business management, sustainable supply chains, animal science and arable crop studies.
Again, students undertake 120 credits per year and assessment is via coursework and exams.
The academic year is also divided into two semesters, from September to mid-Jan and Jan to mid-May.
To be eligible for entry, a student needs at least 104 UCAS points at A2 level – including a science subject at Grade C, at least two A2 level passes and four appropriate GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English at Grade C or above.
Meanwhile, students presenting a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture must have a DMM transcript.
All students are required to have at least three months relevant practical agricultural experience before commencing the programme.
Foundation Degree in Agriculture and Technology
Lastly, its Foundation Degree in Agriculture and Technology is avail on a full and part-time basis.
Its full-time programme runs for between 2-2.5 years – depending on the work placement option that students select.
Meanwhile, its part-time course runs for up to four years – depending on the number of modules studied per semester. Again, part-time students are restricted to 40 credits per semester.
Entry requirements include 48 UCAS points at A2 level – including an approved science subject at grade C and at least two A2 level passes and four appropriate GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English at Grade C or above.
Those presenting with a Level 3 Extended Diploma Agriculture must have a minimum of three pass grades in their transcript. Moreover, all students must have at least three months of relevant practical experience before applying.
Course content covers animal science, farm business management and enterprise studies.
Again, students undertake 120 credits per year; assessments are by means of coursework and exams and there are two semesters, as outlined above.
Career possibilities:
- Farming/farm management;
- Technical sales and marketing;
- Consultants/technical advisors;
- Farm liaison representatives;
- Research and Development (BSc);
- Lecturing/advisory (BSc).
See more in our Student Focus series.
