Equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to help agriculture meet the challenges of the 21st century! This Sustainable and Efficient Food Production postgraduate course centres on increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact within the extensive pasture-based production sector. The programme provides flexible, accessible, postgraduate level training for people employed in the agri-food sector. Training comprises distance learning modules and work-based research projects. These are accessible as CPD or as credit-bearing units, which can be built towards a range of postgraduate qualifications.

How will I learn?

Modules can be taken for your own continuing professional development or interest, or they can be built towards a variety of postgraduate qualifications. To complete a full MSc, you can take between 2 to 5 years, and you must complete five option modules (including up to three from BU) plus the core Research Methods module and a Dissertation.

The training is entirely web-based which means that as long as you have access to a reasonable broadband connection you can study where and when best suits you. Learning material for each 14 week module includes recorded lectures from academics and industry experts, presentations, podcasts, e-group projects, guided readings, interactive workbooks and discussion forums, as well as assignments and e-tutorials. By signing a re-registration form each year you will have access to e-journals and library resources for the full five years.

The research elements of this qualification are usually carried out in your workplace with regular academic supervision. However, there are also opportunities for research projects to be based at IBERS. Please ask us if this option would be of interest to you.

A typical Masters student is expected to study for 200 hours when taking a 20 credit module. You should anticipate spending approximately 2-3 hours a week on online lectures, presentations and podcasts, and the remaining time on readings and assignments. The more time and effort you can put in, the more you will benefit from studying the module and the better your grades are likely to be.

What will I learn?

Students undertaking the full MSc must complete a core module which prepares them for independent research and a 60 credit research dissertation. Up to 3 option modules may be taken from those offered by Bangor University.

There are a wide range of option modules available including: Ruminant Nutrition (AU), Silage Science (AU), Global Ruminant Production (AU), Sustainable Home-grown Feed (AU), Ruminant Gut Microbiology (AU), Organic and Low Input Ruminant Production (AU), Ruminant Health and Welfare (AU), Genetics and Genomics in Agriculture (AU), Sustainable Grassland Systems (AU), Smallholder Agriculture (AU), Farm Business Management (AU), Plant Breeding (AU), Upland Farming Systems (BU), Soil Management (BU), Carbon Footprinting and Lifecycle Analysis (BU), Resource Efficient Farm Management (BU), and Agro Ecosystem Services (BU).