MSc Agricultural Professional Practice

This postgraduate course is aimed at anyone with an interest in leadership and management, policy making, planning and project management in the land-based industries.

Location: Non campus specific
Study mode: Distance learning
Subject Area: Agriculture
Department: Agriculture and Business Management
Start Date: September 2020
Additional Info: The course is offered on a part-time distance learning basis to make it accessible to those in employment or with family commitments to be able to participate.

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Course overview

This course has been developed to meet an identified need for highly qualified people in the agricultural sector who have an understanding of both the business and technical aspects of the industry.

Aimed at people interested in a career in the land-based industries in a professional capacity, it aims to provide the technical and management skills required in modern agricultural professional practice, along with a knowledge and understanding of how policy decisions impact the land-based sector. You'll also gain the ability to appraise research information and apply it to sustainable agricultural practice.

The course is offered on a part-time distance learning basis to make it accessible to those in employment or with family commitments. Applicants have come from a wide range of backgrounds, including farmers, growers, vets and other agricultural and food sector workers.

The MSc Agricultural Professional Practice degree is validated by the University of Glasgow.

Got a question? Get in touch

Tel: 01224 711083
Email: APP@sruc.ac.uk

Entry requirements

A degree in a science or technology relevant to the sector and/or assessment of candidate’s ability to benefit from the course. No absolute academic prerequisites - work experience is considered.

What you'll learn

In order to develop your own area of expertise, there are a number of elective modules in business, crop or livestock production.

Many positions in the land-based industries require professional qualifications, so there is also potential within the course to study FACTS, BASIS or AMTRA (additional fee and assessment required).

The Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) considers this course as suitable evidence of CPD if you're pursuing ‘Professional Agriculturalist’ status.

A core group of modules will focus on topics like:

Professional Leadership and Management
Food and Agricultural Policy
Business Planning and Decision Making
Project Management for Agricultural Professionals
Topical Issues in Modern Agriculture

Student experience

Having been brought up on a farm, agriculture had always been part of Joanna Fousbister's life, but never featured on her CV until she started this course.

“I applied to for the course after deciding I wanted to pursue a career in agriculture," she said. “When I applied I didn’t necessarily know what my chosen career would be, but I knew I had a passion for the industry.

"It has certainly opened doors for me and I've been able to marry my career with my passion, which gives me an enthusiasm to learn and progress within the field.”

Career Progression

Networking

Broad-ranging

“SRUC has certainly opened doors for me and I've been able to marry my career with my passion.”

Joanna Foubister

Meet the lecturer

Dr Alex Hilton

Alex has been at SRUC for over 17 years and worked as both a researcher and teacher.

When teaching, his main interest is crop-related subjects. However, Alex also makes use of his research background by teaching research skills and supervising a number of honours and MSc projects.

One of Alex’s favourite roles is coordinating the BSc Honours projects at Aberdeen. The students look at so many different things and he enjoys seeing them develop their interest in a specific topic, as well as finding answers to problems facing the industry.

MSc Agricultural Professional Practice

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Find out more about studying at SRUC

Find out about funding and fees, coming to visit our campuses and where you can find our full prospectus.

Fees and funding

Funding is available to help you complete your studies, including bursaries to pay your tuition fees and loans to help with maintenance and travel costs.

Fees and funding