Leap in numbers studying postgraduate agriculture courses

Postgraduate-level agricultural degree courses are surging in popularity, according to figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. 

Courses throughout the UK categorised as “agriculture and related subjects” saw the biggest growth in new student numbers at both undergraduate (4%) and postgraduate (29%) levels from 2013-14 to 2014-15.

The 29% increase in postgraduate agriculture students was the largest of any other subject, the closest being a 10% increase in the uptake of medicine-related courses.

See also: A beginners’ guide to careers in agriculture and farming

Harper Adams University said the figures supported what they were seeing on the ground where, for example, their entomology (study of insects) postgraduate courses, had seen numbers double in just four years.

“At recent HE events, Harper Adams has been bucking the trend in reporting a rise in postgraduate numbers” said Alex Hardie, postgraduate marketing manager. “Our undergraduate numbers are growing too, with more than 700 first degree students having started this year.

“There has never been a better time to start postgraduate study in this field – the sector is booming. People will always have to eat – and with the global population set to reach 9 billion by 2050, there are some serious challenges to be met.”

Mr Hardie added that the introduction of postgraduate loans by the government had also made Masters-level study achievable for more people.

Anyone up to the age of 60 could get a £10,000 loan, repayable on similar terms to undergraduate degree loans, to pay for their tuition, he said.