Agriculture & Technology
The Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Agriculture and Technology is validated by Ulster University. This course aims to help students develop the production, management and marketing skills required to work in the land-based sector.
| Award Name | Degree - Foundation at UK Level 5 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Ulster University |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Foundation at UK Level 5 | Ulster University |
Duration
2 years or 3 years including work placement.
Entry Requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
Please consult the UCAS website Tariff Tables below.
Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Foundation Level are not considered as meeting entry requirements for CAFRE programmes. If you require guidance on entry qualifications please email the Key Contact for this course.
Ulster University validated course applications are subject to meeting their General Entrance Requirements www.ulster.ac.uk/study/entrance requirements/
Careers / Further progression
Course Progression
Students who meet the necessary requirements may have the opportunity to apply for entry to Honours Degree programmes. There are career opportunities in farming and enterprise management as well as marketing, sales, contracting and consultancy.
Further information
How To Apply:
Apply through UCAS.
Institution code: A45
Course code: 004D
Full-time applicants:
If you’re applying for a full-time Foundation or Honours Degree course you must submit your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) at: www.ucas.com
The UCAS website will list the code names and numbers for all our courses. Our Institute code is A45. Full instructions and detailed online help are available from UCAS at the touch of a button. It includes a guide called ‘Applying Online’, available as a PDF file, which has all the background information you need on the application process. If you’re planning to start your course in Autumn 2024, UCAS will accept your application from 5th September 2023.
Applications made after 31st January 2024, are placed through UCAS Extra. These are deemed as late applications and will only be considered at the discretion of the College, if there are vacancies on the course, but please do check with us. Applications received after 30th June are entered into UCAS Clearing.
If you apply before the 31st January, a decision on your application will normally be made by the end of March. You will be informed of the decision through your UCAS Hub. If you already have the appropriate entry qualifications, we may make you an unconditional offer and you will be able to decide immediately if you wish to take up the offer. If you are still studying for the necessary entry qualifications, we may make you a conditional offer, specifying the minimum grades you need to obtain in your examinations.
For some courses an interview will be necessary before a final decision can be made. When you have received replies from all your UCAS choices, you must decide upon one ‘firm’ acceptance, and you may select a second as ‘insurance’.
The final selection is normally made in mid-August when examination results are issued. If you do not achieve the grades we asked for in our conditional offer you may still be offered a place and you should check with our Admissions Office.
To apply to study this course full-time please follow the Application link to the UCAS website below.
Students who have previously completed a Foundation Degree may apply to top-up their qualification through full-time study, please follow this link to the UCAS website. If you have previously completed a Foundation Degree, you can apply to top-up your qualification through part-time study, please follow this link.
This course, validated by Ulster University, aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills base to allow them to pursue a successful career in the agri-food sector and enable them to cope with ongoing challenges and changes within the industry whilst ensuring that they are both technically and practically competent.
The course has been developed to meet industry needs with a particular emphasis on developing initiative and the flexibility to adapt to different employment situations, to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to enter the industry at trainee manager/supervisor level. Successful students will be well prepared for employment leaving with skills in production agriculture, business management and science and technology.
The course has four key themes: agriculture production; business management; science technology and mechanisation and work-based learning employability.
Modules (Level 4: Year 1):
Academic and professional skills
Animal science
Arable crop studies
Enterprise studies
Grass forage production and mechanisation
Livestock husbandry health and welfare
Modules (Level 5: Year 2):
Developments in agriculture
Financial management on the farm
Introduction to organic production
Work-based learning
Plus two module options*:
Farm buildings and mechanisation*
Sustainable pig and poultry production*
Sustainable ruminant production systems*
Sustainable crop production systems*
All students are required to undertake a work-based learning placement during which students develop technical and commercial expertise within the agrifood industry. Students have the option to either take a full year out on work-based learning or they can undertake a short placement which is achieved through a period of relevant work amounting to at least 400 hours.
Placement opportunities are available in the UK, Ireland and overseas for example: New Zealand, Australia, USA and Canada.
Part-time students must also complete a placement but may be eligible to apply for accredited prior learning (APL).
Key Contact:
Mark Carson
Senior Lecturer (Agriculture)
e: Mark.Carson@daera-ni.gov.uk