Harper Adams University is a specialist higher education institution that provides leading undergraduate courses across agriculture and food, animal health, and rural studies and management.
The university recently placed first in the Complete University Guide 2023 for facilities spend, as well as placing in the top 30 UK universities overall. It won career prospects (previously known as job prospects) for the last seven consecutive years, while also placing 17th overall in the 2023 Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
Located across a single campus in the heart of Shropshire, students attending Harper Adams will benefit from a modern learning environment integrated with real commercial agricultural settings.
Harper Adams offers undergraduate qualifications in the following areas:
Harper Adams has its very own commercial farm that extends to more than 494 hectares of land and contains both arable and livestock enterprises.
It also holds one of the highest UK university graduate employment rates, at 97.2%, according to the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey.
Student reviewers regularly say they have loved their time at Harper Adams, rating the overall experience very highly.
Harper Adams University students on Whatuni say:
“I love Harper because it’s smaller than city universities but still has so much to offer… an amazing student life, fantastic academic study opportunities, great relations within industries and a brilliant mental health and welfare support team.”
“Anyone would be lucky to study at Harper, and I know I feel that way and love every moment.”
“It has amazing facilities, the buildings, labs and research centres are great, especially for post graduate research. The lecturers and supervisors are very very supportive and always willing to guide even out of working hours. It has such a great community feel. I feel like a member of one big family.”
Harper Adams University is the foremost university in the UK for courses across agriculture, animal and rural management, and environmental management. Students attending the university will learn the lifetime skills and key knowledge necessary to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the world – food security, land management, sustainable business, climate change and more.
The university’s specialised range of courses allows it to focus on exceptional quality in its teaching curriculum, learning and research facilities, and staff skill. Students will be able to train on real commercial farms, as well as utilise cutting-edge labs and research technologies to push the boundaries of their field.
With just under 3,000 undergraduate students on campus at any one time, the university is able to offer small seminar and tutorial sizes, with students consistently praising teaching methods.
Student reviewers are all very positive, with high praise for their courses and the lecturers who deliver them.
Harper Adams University students on Whatuni say:
“The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable and the fact they’re all experienced having worked in the field themselves, provides practical as well as academic knowledge”
“The lecturers are really helpful, knowledgeable and passionate about their respective subjects and cover some really interesting topics, both for the present and the future, giving me the impression of a University looking forwards at how it can improve industry.”
“Loads of contact hours with the lecturers works very well, generally smaller lecture sizes compared to most universities making the course feel more personal. Strong emphasis on how the degree will be used in the real world.”
Interested? Order a prospectus to find out more about the uni and the courses on offer.
GET PROSPECTUSHarper Adams University works to ensure that a broad range of students are able to apply and enrol on its courses, pursuing their passions and working towards successful careers in agriculture, land sciences and environmental management.
The university employs a contextualised offer scheme, which is designed to support access for students who are bringing alternative qualifications, experiences and talents to their higher level studies. Students who have experienced an element of disadvantage in their life or in their studies can benefit from reduced entry requirements. Prospective students can find full details of the Access to Harper programme and the contextualised offer scheme on the university’s website.
Details of accepted qualifications and grades can be found on the university’s course pages, or within the relevant UCAS Entry Profiles.
Each course has specific admissions criteria to ensure that learners are ideally suited to their curriculum and able to get the most out of their studies.
UCAS TARIFF CALCULATORSend a message directly to the uni to learn more about their entry requirements.
ASK A QUESTIONStudents at Harper Adams University can choose from 14 different halls of residence for their undergraduate studies. Students can secure accommodation that’s under 10 minutes’ walk from the campus and all of its facilities, including the students’ union.
Students can also select from a range of accommodation packages, whether they’re looking for self-catered or catered living with en-suite bathrooms and laundry facilities, a shared house, or a number of other options.
All options include cleaning service, free parking, 24-hour security and Wi-Fi. Each hall has appointed student life representatives, usually in their final year, who live on site and provide a first point of contact for any concerns or queries students may have.
Harper Adams University students on Whatuni say:
“Excellent value for money in catered accommodation, 3 good size meals a day. Good sized rooms with modern shared bathrooms. WiFi on campus is fast. There are shared kitchens on each floor for cooking on the weekend when the canteen is shut. Social room on the first floor was great for playing games as a house.”
The halls are a great place, it’s almost like having your own community and it’s fairly easy to make friends with neighbours and people in the surrounding halls.”
“The halls were amazing and private and cleaned regularly so even the shared facilities were nice to use.”
More than £50 million has been invested in the university campus over the last decade at Harper Adams.
This includes an extended teaching laboratories complex and an Agricultural Engineering Innovation Centre, with all the latest technology. The modern Bamford Library, located at the centre of campus, provides access to more than 41,000 books and electronic journals in an eco-friendly building.
With all facilities within walking distance of each other on campus, lecturers can demonstrate both practical aspects as well as theory in course teachings. The rural setting is also great for field trips, course-related excursions and traditional country pursuits.
Students have the unique advantage of being able to learn ‘in the field’ on the university’s own commercial farm. After a multimillion-pound investment, including expanded dairy and pig units and a food research centre, the farm extends to more than 494 hectares on a number of diverse sites and features a variety of livestock.
The university came in the top 20 for facilities at the 2023 Whatuni Student Choice Awards and ranked 1st in the UK for facilities spend according to the Complete University Guide 2023.
Harper Adams University students on Whatuni say:
“The facilities allow for hands on learning, all the equipment [you] could need is there and staff are always more than happy to help you.”
“The facilities on campus are amazing for the courses offered. I’m able to work with live animals to apply my knowledge to real life situations.”
“The facilities are great and there are so many opportunities to hands on experiment and test theories and parts”
What's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 1338 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWC Charlotte Reviewed 02 Mar 23 Agriculture (+ Foundation year) (with placement) FdSc Great staff who are keen to help and easy to talk to when you have a problem. I think we still in covid state in some ways and need to get back to more... READ FULL REVIEW
K Kristyna Reviewed 01 Mar 23 Veterinary Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) Lovely campus with modern equipment which could be use a bit more then now.... READ FULL REVIEW
Students widely praise the support the university offers, and Harper Adams has been in the top 20 in the student support category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards since 2014.
Academic support at Harper Adams is a top priority – students can rely on personalised assistance around study skills and direct academic support from their tutors relating to course content. There’s also specialised support for students with dyslexia, as well as help with any IT problems that may arise, to ensure that each student’s studies are as smooth and successful as possible.
The on-site student services team is available to help with any issues, from money worries to illness. Meanwhile, the learner support team are on hand to provide help to people with a range of disabilities and learning difficulties.
Harper Adams have a qualified BACP registered counsellor in addition to a mental health and welfare advisor, who provide drop-in services for students as well as appointments throughout the week, by prior arrangement. They provide professional, accessible and confidential support to students experiencing emotional or psychological problems which may affect their personal lives or academic performance.
Harper Adams University students on Whatuni say:
“Student support staff are very accommodating to learning difficulties and provide a well-rounded support network to complete module work, especially understanding information from a different point of view.”
“The student support section is brilliant, always there to help with Uni and life!”
“Had the best uni experience due to all the support I have received.”
Find out more about the student support offered on the university’s website.
VISIT WEBSITEOne of the advantages of being a small and specialist university is that lecturers and other support staff can spend more time working with smaller groups and can get to know students as individuals, helping them learn, develop and achieve their goals.
Many lecturers are also involved in research or consultancy work with industry and are well placed to pass on the latest industry knowledge, developments and practices to students.
As the UK’s leading university for the agri-food chain and rural economy, as well as placing 17th overall according to Whatuni in 2023, Harper Adams is engaged in research of international quality. It is also home to a range of specialist research centres, of which more than 60% are either ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ according to the latest Research Excellence Framework.
It has strong relationships with industry, professionally accredited courses and expert academic staff, covering all aspects of the food chain, from plough to plate, plus allied subjects including animal health, engineering and geography.
Harper Adams University students on Whatuni say:
“The locations makes it perfect for the type of students who go here where the majority is agricultural. The farm allows for a more hand on experience with practices and the land-based skills program is great for allowing more people to access skills that they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.”
“I love how we get hands on the university farm”
“Majority of the lecturers have worked in the industry themselves and are able to use their own case studies to support the learning. Furthermore the placement year is excellent idea.”
The students’ union is run by current students, with the SU President being a Harper Adams graduate following their final year. The students’ union is at the heart of the close-knit community on campus, running student societies and sports clubs as well as organising nightlife in the form of balls, the legendary themed Wednesday nights and weekend events such as the annual Big Weekend and Hobgoblins, which see guest appearances from popular bands and Radio 1 DJ’s.
Whatuni student reviewers enjoy all that the union has to offer, from club nights to the freshers’ fair.
Harper Adams University students on Whatuni say:
“Brilliant rural location, out the way and quiet life. Plenty of places to go off an relax. Local community is brilliant with plenty to offer in the nearby town of Newport.”
“The student life here is always buzzing, with activities always being ran for everyone. Whether that be sport, cooking, gaming, there’s something for everyone.”
“The SU listens and provides experiences and nights out you couldn’t experience anywhere else. Whilst being a small uni, the Harper experience is unique and students are the heart of the university.”
Taking part in a club is one of the best ways to make friends with those who have common interests, while developing valuable skills for life. Students have a range of clubs and societies to join, including rowing, 4x4, motorsport, gaming, LGBTQ+, field sports, debating forum, rugby and more. There’s also excellent support for students who want to create all-new clubs and societies.
Whatuni student reviewers paint a very positive picture of the clubs and societies on offer at Harper Adams, forming the social backbone of the uni: easy to get involved in, lots of choice, and a great way to make friends.
The market town of Newport, just 2.4 miles from the university campus, is the nearest stop for supermarkets, high street stores and independent shops, as well as coffee houses and charity shops.
The town is also home to over a dozen pubs and a nightclub, and is a popular night out among the Harper Adams students. Just 10 miles away is Telford Centre with high street favourites, as well as a selection of popular restaurants and cinemas. Shrewsbury, Stafford and Wolverhampton are all worth exploring further afield.
The uni is located in a rural area, but students don’t feel isolated with Newport nearby and excellent transport links to the rest of the UK.
Graduate employment prospects are consistently above 96% (currently 97.2%), helped by practical degrees and strong links with industry specialists. Each degree course includes a compulsory placement year, the majority of which are paid, allowing students to work in their chosen field.
The curriculum of each course is designed in close collaboration with industry leaders and professionals linked with the university, as well as a talented and professional faculty who bring a wealth of experience from their sectors. As a result, students develop a robust professional skill based, as well as the knowledge and skills they’ll need to excel in their industry. Employers recognise this, making a Harper Adams diploma an invaluable asset.
Former students have gone on to work in areas including agronomy, veterinary surgeries, business consultancy and mechanical engineering. Companies who have employed Harper Adams graduates in recent years include Bentley, Avara Foods, John Deere and Tesco.
Harper Adams won the career prospects category at the 2023 Whatuni Student Choice Awards for the seventh year running. This great win is reflected in comments made student reviewers, with the opportunity to take work placements particularly commented upon.
Students at Harper University Adams enjoy access to a huge range of unique scholarships and other funding opportunities, made possible through the university’s funding charity – the development trust. In collaboration with industrial partners and alumni, more than half a million pounds of scholarships are offered to Harper Adams students each year. This includes financial assistance and paid placement opportunities, supporting students in both funding their studies and achieving professional development.
The benefits of scholarships for students can include:
Please see the university's website for full details of the scholarships available.
Fees depend on the course a student is completing, and how long it takes to complete. Full time UK and EU undergraduate fees are £9,250 and placement years are £1,850.
International Students Per Year: £10,600, and a placement year costs £3,150.
Send a message directly to the uni to learn more about their scholarships and bursaries.
ASK A QUESTIONMany courses at Harper Adams University offer an opportunity to do a work placement or sandwich year. These opportunities will help you develop your employability skills, and the careers department is also on hand to offer personal support.
As well as a wide range of courses on offer, Harper Adams University also has loads of clubs and societies you can join during your studies. Joining societies is just one of the many ways you can tailor your experience at Harper Adams University to suit you.
With a degree in a subject you love, you'll find more doors opening to jobs you'll love. Studies have also shown that graduates earn more on average compared to non-graduates.
If you want to continue to pursue education, you'll be able to progress to postgraduate study once you've got your undergraduate degree. You could opt to study a master's, or even get a PhD.
Living in uni halls means you'll have access to communal areas including kitchen and dining facilities. These facilities offer you plenty of opportunity to socialise with the students you're living with.
You'll also find all bills are included in your rent, and yes, that includes WiFi. Rent also covers security and maintenance. There are accessible rooms available in halls that have been adapted for disabled students.
