Discover CAFRE Higher Education
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Higher
Education
Discover
CAFRE
Course Prospectus 2021
Open
www.cafre.ac.uk
CONTENTS
Contents
4 6 8 20 22 24
Welcome Why choose Investing in Accommodation Money How to apply
CAFRE? your future matters
12 14 15 26 28 30
Hands-on Industry International Entry Here to help Courses
management contacts links requirements
experience
Coleraine
Londonderry
Greenmount Campus
Greenmount Campus
16 17 18 80 82 83
Loughry Campus
Antrim
Omagh Cookstown
Belfast
Enniskillen Campus
Dungannon
Armagh Downpatrick
Enniskillen
Newry
Bursaries Look to Having fun Important Open Days How to find
the future and legal us
information
2 Previous Next 3
WELCOME
Welcome
The College of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Enterprise
(CAFRE), has three campus
locations; Enniskillen Campus,
Greenmount Campus, Antrim and
Loughry Campus, Cookstown.
Within this publication, you will
find information on agri-food and
land-based courses for students
considering study on Foundation
or Honours Degree programmes. OPEN
92%
of our students gain
employment or progress
onto further education
within six months.
4 Previous Next 5
WHY CHOOSE CAFRE?
INDUSTRY LINKS UNIVERSITY LIFE
Why choose
CAFRE has excellent links with If you’re studying on our Foundation or Honours Degrees
businesses and organisations, validated by Ulster University, you can become an ‘Associate
many of which employ our Student’. You’ll get a Student Card, access to Ulster
CAFRE?
graduates. They show their University’s libraries and Sports Centre membership to name
support by providing work a few of the perks. Students studying on the Honours
placements, guest lecturers Degree in Agricultural Technology are Queen’s University
and real-life course projects. students and can gain access to the University’s resources.
Companies also donate
generous bursaries to help
fund the cost of getting EXPERIENCED
GREAT JOB a degree. STAFF
PROSPECTS
CAFRE is an ‘Access Partner’
Students study at CAFRE because of the Higher Education
they’re interested in getting a SMALL AND Authority which allows the
good job at the end of their SPECIAL college to utilise their
course. Our results speak for resources to enhance, inform
themselves – over 92% of our You are treated as an and improve teaching by
graduates gain employment or individual at CAFRE as staff providing additional staff
progress onto further education get to know the 1,800 development opportunities.
within six months of completing students at our three
their course. campuses. Staff are friendly
and approachable and ensure
that you are supported both
personally and academically
to achieve your potential. OPPORTUNITIES TO PROGRESS
ONTO HIGHER COURSES
PRACTICE MAKES
PERFECT Didn’t get the grades to get onto the
Honours Degree of your choice? You could
If you’re a hands-on type of enrol on a Foundation Degree and once
person who doesn’t want to successfully completed you may be eligible
be stuck behind a desk all day, to apply onto the Honours Degree.
then our courses and the
careers they lead to are
perfect for you. Relevant
practical experience, in
modern specialist facilities,
is a part of all our courses. STILL NOT
FINISHED?
On completion of your degree
SPECIALIST you can apply for the Master’s
FACILITIES FINANCIAL course in Business for
SUPPORT Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise.
You’ll go far to find better facilities at which to This is a Queen’s University
study for Higher Education courses in Agriculture, With competitive fees and
Belfast postgraduate degree
Horticulture, Food or Equine studies. With accommodation costs, you’ll
delivered at Loughry Campus,
continuous investment, we keep our facilities find that studying for a degree
Cookstown.
up-to-date to benefit not just our students but with CAFRE is not as expensive
also people from industry who continue their as you thought. And don’t
professional development through our short courses. forget about our industry
bursaries to lighten the load!
6 Previous Next 7
INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE HE PROSPECTUS
Investing in
Food fantastic and schooling track, where farming. Our Dairy Centre
they experience the thrill of incorporates the newest
The Food Technology Centre riding a racehorse over fences technologies in comfort
at Loughry Campus is the at speed. Racing students housing and cow handling,
your future largest facility of its kind in
the island of Ireland. It’s a
modern food manufacturing
also compete with college
horses at a number of
Point-to-Point meetings.
waste management and
parlour systems. Another 960
hectares of hill land, with
facility designed to show best While working in the equine 1,100 ewes and 110 suckler
practice across fruit and breeding unit, students cows, is managed in an
One of the great things about CAFRE is that each vegetable, meat, dairy and handle and manage the environmentally sustainable
of our three campuses deliver a specific range of bakery processing. The Food Thoroughbred and Sport manner to promote wildlife
Innovation Centre allows Horse broodmares and their and protect habitats. Both
courses and has the specialist facilities to match. students space to create and young stock. Students farms are used to
develop new food products
We’ve invested in our buildings, equipment and through enhanced kitchen,
participate in the foaling rota
and have the opportunity to
demonstrate and promote
the latest advances in
resources so you can get the most out of your time sensory and laboratory prepare and take foals to the agriculture and land use.
facilities. We’ve a Packaging sales. The equitation unit has Students get involved in these
with us. Get ahead of the competition with the Centre which supports a a range of horses and projects too. We also have a
multi-million pound industry.
practical skills you learn during our courses. It is used by businesses from
students attend a number of constructed wetlands system,
working hunter competitions, an artificial wetland which
all over Ireland and by our cross country schooling and acts in a similar manner to
students, of course. shows. Students also organise the bio-filtration action of
various in-house competitions natural wetlands. There we
All things equine and demonstrations. channel waste water from the
farm through a series of five
At Enniskillen Campus you’ll Green boots ponds and at the end it is of
find indoor and outdoor
good enough quality to
arenas for all aspects of Greenmount Campus is the release into a stream.
equitation. In the racing yard centre of all things green – Students use this site in their
we give students invaluable that’s agricultural, horticultural environmental science work.
experience in handling and and environmental. The 290
riding racehorses. Students hectares around the campus
ride out on a rota system is used for arable, dairying
making use of the gallops and lowland beef and sheep
Each campus
delivers a
specific range
of courses with
specialist facilities
to match.
8 Previous Next 9
INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE HE PROSPECTUS
Green fingers
Greenmount Campus itself is set in 18 hectares of landscaped
grounds, originally laid out in the 19th Century. The walled garden,
built in 1801, is a major horticultural attraction with its knot garden,
maze and fruit garden. Sportsturf enthusiasts will appreciate the
eleven hectares devoted to playing fields and to the Greenkeeping
and Golf Academy, with its driving range and three hole course. Staff
at the Horticulture Centre work with both students and industry, in
modern production and training facilities for ornamental and edible
crops. These include glasshouses that are environmentally controlled
using computers with ebb and flow floors, automatic venting, water
recycling and solar panels.
Machinery and Buildings Centre
Our Machinery and Buildings Centre allows both agriculture and
horticulture students to carry out all their machinery and building
activity in one specialist building. It contains five fully equipped
workshops for machinery maintenance, a series of welding/
construction booths and a buildings demonstration facility for estate
skills as well as teaching rooms and IT facilities.
Access all areas
Once you’re enrolled at CAFRE you’re given your password to the
student intranet, an online learning environment. It’s the place to
go for accessing lecture notes and other resources, submitting
assignments, completing assessments and communicating with
your lecturers. There’s also an online storage system for all your
downloads.
You will have plenty of access to the many computer suites located
around each campus, some with a range of specialist applications,
such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Geographical Information
Systems (GIS). Business recording programmes will give you the latest
performance data on the farm enterprises. Although we have top of
the range IT facilities, we still need books. Our libraries have an
excellent range of specialist journals, technical reports and
newspapers to help with your projects and assignments.
High-tech stuff
Many of our courses teach you the science you’ll need in your career,
so we have well equipped laboratories where you can carry out
biological, chemical and physical analyses on crop, livestock and
food products.
10 Previous Next 11
HANDS-ON MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE
Hands-on
management experience
CAFRE courses are designed to prepare you for a job in real
life – so no more sitting in a classroom all day. We combine
lectures and tutorials with practical sessions to allow you to
apply what you’ve learned to real management and
decision-making situations. Assignments and case studies
will teach you to solve problems that occur in business.
Getting your hands dirty Students at Loughry Campus manage the
production of food products in the Food
Want to produce flowers to sell, manage a Technology Centre. Ever wanted to design
dairy herd, or look after breeding mares? We and produce a new food product that
are one of the few colleges in the UK to offer actually makes it to the supermarket shelves?
such a hands-on learning experience. Our Well food students do just that through a
extensive practical facilities are widely used New Product Development (NPD) competition
by all students, and degree students are sponsored by a leading food company.
given responsibility for managing different There’s also the chance to have your say on
enterprises. Our students really put ‘learning food products in the sensory perception
by doing’ into practice and along the way facilities.
gain the skills that put them ahead in the
job stakes. Horticulture students manage the production
and retailing of garden centre plants, such as
Agriculture students get involved in the Poinsettias at Christmas, and undertake
management of the farm enterprises, landscaping projects.
including the dairy herd, the lowland and
upland beef enterprises and the arable unit. Additional qualifications
Equine students get involved in the In an increasingly competitive job market, In an increasingly
management of the three business units at you can add to your employability prospects competitive job market,
Enniskillen Campus; breeding, equitation and at CAFRE by doing additional qualifications you can add to your
racing, making decisions with support and that are valued by industry. While studying
employability prospects at
advice from industry representatives. You you may have the opportunity to achieve
can’t get a more hands-on experience than additional qualifications such as Food Safety CAFRE by doing additional
spending weeks preparing foals for the sales Certificates, Pesticide Application Certificates qualifications that are
and then taking them right through to feel and British Horse Society (BHS) qualifications. valued by industry.
the thrill of the sales ring.
12 Previous Next 13
INDUSTRY CONTACTS HE PROSPECTUS
Industry International
contacts links
The connections you make on your course can help you get Broaden your horizons
a great job after (or sometimes before) graduating. In the CAFRE recognises the value of international
travel and provides many opportunities for
search for a job, CAFRE students benefit from our excellent students to either study, go on study tours or
work in countries all over the world. Being
links with businesses and organisations in the agri-food and able to experience different cultures and
land based industries. learn about the latest developments first
hand is often a life changing experience.
We have a long established exchange
We involve people from the world of Work placements programme with Michigan State University
(MSU), where students can study in a large
work in everything that we do, from There’s no better way to boost your CV American university and undertake modules
the industry experts who sit on our than through an impressive work that will complement their degree programme.
College Advisory Group to the placement. Some of our students make
such a good impression on placement that Study tours
specialists who advise students on
they get offered a job before finishing their
the management of enterprises or Agriculture students enrolled on the Honours
course. On placement you’ll find out what
Degree and Foundation Degree programme
projects. This means that our course it’s really like to work in your chosen
usually go on a study tour in Europe to visit
content is current and relevant to industry. It will help you develop
specialist farms and businesses and learn
interpersonal and communication skills and
industry because we seek their improve your organisational abilities.
about agricultural production in the regions.
feedback and take their opinions Equine students have the opportunity to
on board. You can complete your placement abroad.
travel to Kentucky and the Netherlands for a
Many of our students spend part of their
study tour and work shadowing experience.
placement in Australia, New Zealand,
Students also visit equine establishments
France, Germany and the USA.
throughout Ireland, including some of
We can help you get your placement leading stud farms and equine veterinary
organised or you can use your own contacts. facilities. This helps give the students a broad
What businesses do for us Many businesses contact us looking for our perspective of how the industry functions
(and you)! good quality placement students. internationally and to identify new career
and business opportunities for themselves
• Provide student bursaries after they graduate.
• Sponsor student projects
Horticulture students travel to experience
• Offer visits to see their different horticultural systems production
companies in operation facilities and visit some of the most spectacular
• Supply guest lecturers - so gardens in Europe. Recent tours have included
you can hear it first hand France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, where
they visited Aalsmeer Flower Market, Ajax
• Provide valuable work Stadium and specialist growers.
placements
14 Previous Next 15
BURSARIES HE PROSPECTUS
Bursaries Look to the future
Companies and organisations throughout Ireland support We’ll help you prepare for your future
courses in many ways. One method that directly helps after graduation in a number of ways;
students is through the donation of bursaries, typically you’ll get training on how to write an
worth £1,000. Some companies also provide paid work eye-catching CV, assistance in
placements to successful bursary winners. interview preparation and practice
at mock interviews. Some of this
Enniskillen bursaries training starts in the first year of
Bursaries are available for students on the your course to help you obtain a
Foundation and Honours Degrees in Equine
Management. The awards are provided by good work placement.
leading equine businesses and ancillary
organisations which have a close association In the final year of your course you’ll get a
with the campus. chance to meet potential employers at a
careers fair, organised by each campus
every spring. Students can talk to employers
Greenmount bursaries and pick up employability and interview tips
from seminar speakers. It’s a great
As a first year full-time student you may opportunity to find out what employers are
compete for one of the bursaries awarded looking for and what will help you stand
by leading agri-food businesses. The out from the crowd.
Vaughan Trust, also supports Agricultural
Technology Degree students from County Companies are aware of the high calibre
Fermanagh through a bursary, while the First of CAFRE graduates and keep us informed
Trust Bank, Linden Foods and Marks and when they are advertising vacancies.
Spencer sponsor student competitions.
We have a jobs section on our website:
www.cafre.ac.uk, which lists the jobs
Loughry bursaries available in our specialist subject areas right
Leading businesses show their appreciation across Northern Ireland and further afield.
of the future talent studying at Loughry This provides a useful resource for both
through the provision of bursaries. In some past and present students as you can
cases these awards include a paid work access the site after graduation.
placement for full-time students.
16 Previous Next 17
HAVING FUN HE PROSPECTUS
Having fun
Our three campuses are set in tranquil rural surroundings,
with rolling countryside, birds singing and the occasional
bleating of sheep. Sounds idyllic doesn’t it, but what do
the students get up to when classes are over?
From Induction Week Students at Enniskillen
onwards you’ll make new Campus make use of the
friends and quickly start to equitation, racing and yards
socialise both on and off after breeding. There are a
campus. All of our campuses number of clubs and
are near local towns and members attend a range of
you’ll soon hear of trips competitions, races and
organised for fun sales. Livery is available for a
further afield. limited number of student
horses. Students with their
Get involved own horses can access the
horse walker, hacking track,
Representatives from each indoor and outdoor arenas
class are elected to the after hours.
Students’ Representative
Council (SRC) at each Both Greenmount and
campus. Each SRC organises Loughry Campuses have
a lively programme of social Gaelic, Soccer and Rugby
events throughout the year pitches and Greenmount also
and supports local charities features a four hole golf
through fundraising events. course and practice range as
The highlight of the year is part of the Greenkeeping
the Student Formal, held by and Golf Academy. Loughry
each campus, when students students have access to an
dress up and let their hair onsite Recreation Centre and
down at the same time. the Mid Ulster Sports Arena,
a modern facility on the edge
The clubs for sports and of the campus owned by
other activities vary from the Council.
campus to campus,
depending on the interests
of the students.
18 Previous Next 19ACCOMMODATION HE PROSPECTUS
Accommodation
Not all students live on campus, but those who do enjoy
modern, competitively-priced accommodation with an
200
Greenmount
attractive range of amenities, laundry and recreational students in Halls
facilities. Priority for on-site accommodation is given to of residence.
first year students new to the campus.
Accommodation costs the golf course at the Greenkeeping and Accommodation Managers
Golf Academy.
It would be difficult to find better value Accommodation staff at each campus are
student accommodation at any other college Loughry Campus accommodates 100 always on-hand to offer advice and
100
in the UK. The cost varies depending on the students in single study bedrooms. Students assistance should you need it.
type of accommodation and whether living in have access to an on-campus recreation
catered or self-catered Halls of Residence. centre and the Mid Ulster Sports Arena, a Michelle McKenna
Please refer to our website for up-to-date modern facility on the edge of the campus. It Enniskillen Campus
costs. includes grass and all weather pitches, an Tel: 028 6634 4832
endurance area incorporating a multi-use Loughry
Meals games area, a strength and conditioning Brian Simpson
room and a 1,400m trim trail. Greenmount Campus students in single
The modern dining rooms and snack bars Tel: 028 9442 6650 study bedrooms.
offer food and drinks throughout the day. Enniskillen Campus has accommodation for
65 students in single study bedrooms and Judith Mullan
Life on campus – home from home student bungalows. Students can use the Loughry Campus
fitness suite as well as the recreation room Tel: 028 8676 8139
Greenmount Campus has accommodation
which includes pool tables, air hockey and
for over 200 students in Halls of Residence.
table tennis. In addition, students are
Many rooms in Halls are ensuite with
encouraged to help develop their fitness by
telephone and computer connections.
using the dressage and racing simulators on
Greenmount students can use the sports hall
site.
65
and fitness suite, together with a number of
football pitches, the golf driving range and
Enniskillen
students in single
study bedrooms.
20 Previous Next 21MONEY MATTERS HE PROSPECTUS
Money matters
You’ll have two main costs; tuition fees and living costs
Tuition fees Maintenance Grant or Special Additional support Financial support for students
Support Grant from Great Britain
At the time of printing our 2021 fees have There are other allowances that provide extra
not been confirmed, please refer to our You could get up to £3,475 through the help with living expenses depending on your English residents should contact:
website for up-to-date information. Different Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant, circumstances. These include the; Student Finance England:
fees are charged, depending on your country if your household income is £19,203 or less. www.gov.uk/student-finance
of residence. (BSc in Agricultural Technology If your household income falls between – Parents’ Learning Allowance
students are enrolled at Queen’s University £19,203 and £41,065 you may be eligible to Scottish residents should contact:
Belfast and pay tuition fees set by Queen’s.) receive a partial grant, depending on the – Childcare Grant Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS):
level of your household income. If your www.saas.gov.uk
What financial support is available? – Adult Dependants’ Grant
household income is more than £41,065 you
will not be able to receive a Maintenance Welsh residents should contact:
If you’re normally a resident in Northern – Disabled Students’ Allowance Student Finance Wales
Grant or Special Support Grant, but may be
Ireland you can apply to Student Finance NI able to receive a Maintenance Loan. Contact Centre:
Financial support for Northern
for financial support. Check out: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Ireland students
www.studentfinanceni.co.uk which will give Maintenance Loan
you all the details and help you find your Financial support for EU students
Don’t forget to apply for financial support
local Education Authority for more Available to help with your living expenses as soon as you have applied for a CAFRE
assistance. The following is a short summary and repayable on completion of studies. EU students applying should refer to:
course. You don’t have to wait until you www.studentfinance.co.uk
of the support available to eligible students; Although means-tested, all eligible students receive an offer of a place. You can apply
will get some loan. The maximum and for up-to-date information.
from March onwards. If you’re a Northern
Tuition Fee Loan minimum amounts for 2021/22 are likely to be: Ireland resident, you can apply online at:
Non means-tested and available to cover www.studentfinanceni.co.uk
your tuition fee costs. You start repaying the Max. Min.
If you apply early, your funds should be
loan on completion of your studies,
Living at home £3,750 £2,812 available at the start of your course. If you
depending on your income. For more
delay making an application until nine
information on repayments Living in lodgings £4,840 £3,630 months after the start of the course
go to: www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk
you will not be eligible to receive
any support.
Studying for a
Don’t forget
degree at CAFRE
about our
does not cost
bursaries
as much as you
see page 16.
might think.
22 Previous Next 23HOW TO APPLY HE PROSPECTUS
How to apply
for a course at CAFRE
Full-time applicants If you already have the appropriate entry
qualifications, we may make you an
If you’re applying for a full-time Foundation unconditional offer and you will be able to
or Honours Degree course you must submit decide immediately if you wish to take up
your application through the Universities the offer. If you are still studying for the
and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) necessary entry qualifications, we may make
at: www.ucas.com. The UCAS website will you a conditional offer, specifying the
list the code names and numbers for all our minimum grades you need to obtain in
courses. Our Institute code is A45. your examinations.
If you’re applying for the BSc (Hons) For some courses an interview will be
Agricultural Technology course, you should necessary before a final decision can be
apply through UCAS to Queen’s University made. When you have received replies from
Belfast using their Institute code of Q75. all your UCAS choices, you must decide upon
one ‘firm’ acceptance and you may select a
Full instructions and detailed online help are second as ‘insurance’. The final selection is
available from UCAS at the touch of a normally made in mid August when
button. It includes a guide called ‘Applying examination results are issued. If you do not
Online’, available as a PDF file, which has all achieve the grades we asked for in our
the background information you need on the conditional offer you may still be offered a
application process. place and you should check with our
Admissions Office.
If you’re planning to start your course in
autumn 2021, UCAS will accept your Part-time applicants
application from 1st September 2020.
Applications made after 15th January 2021, If you’re applying for one of our part-time
through UCAS Extra, are considered late Foundation or Honours Degrees, you should
applications and will only be considered at apply directly to us using our online form at:
the discretion of the College, if there are www.cafre.ac.uk
vacancies on the course, but please do check
with us. If you apply before 15th January, a After applying for a part-time course you will
decision on your application will normally be be invited to attend a short interview at the
made by the end of March. You will be College and will have an opportunity to tour
Full-time Part-time
informed of the decision through UCAS. the campus and view the teaching facilities.
This interview usually takes place between www.ucas.com www.cafre.ac.uk
March and August.
24 Previous Next 25ENTRY REQUIREMENTS HE PROSPECTUS
Entry UCAS tariff points
requirements equivalent
If you are interested in studying on a Qualification Grade UCAS point equivalents
full-time Foundation or Honours Degree
A-Level and A* 56
course you apply through UCAS. AVCE equivalents
A 48
B 40
Applicants must be at least 17 years of age Queen’s University Belfast or Ulster University C 32
on 15th October of the year of entry. The as appropriate.
College will consider applications from D 24
candidates with equivalent qualifications. The College is committed to equality
Advice is available from the Admissions of opportunity for all prospective and E 16
Office or consult the UCAS tariff tables current students.
available at: www.ucas.com
Irish Leaving H1 36
The table opposite shows the UCAS tariff Certificate
point conversions for grades obtained for our H2 30
main entry qualifications. The complete Entry
range of entry qualifications and their UCAS H3 24
requirements
tariff point conversions are available at:
for courses are H4 18
www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
detailed on H5 12
Entry requirements for specific courses are
detailed in the appropriate sections of the specific course
H6 09
prospectus. pages.
O1 12
Applicants for Foundation Degree
programmes normally require a minimum of O2 10
one pass at A-Level in specific subjects (or
equivalent) and a minimum of four GCSE O3 08
passes in subjects including English and
Mathematics. O4 06
Honours and Foundation Degree programmes Full-time
in Food do not accept Essential Skills as an
equivalent to a GCSE Grade C in
applications
Mathematics. www.ucas.com
If you have completed other qualifications
Applicants for Honours Degree courses at
including BTEC or City & Guilds log
CAFRE must meet the necessary A-Level
onto the UCAS website:
requirements (or equivalent) as well as
www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
satisfying the matriculation requirements for
26 Previous Next 27HERE TO HELP HE PROSPECTUS
Here to help
You’ll find that starting college, making new
friends and studying a subject of your choice
is exciting, but it can also be a bit challenging.
Part of college life is about learning to look
after yourself, making decisions and
managing your time and money.
Don’t worry, there’s a range Medical services Counselling service
of people at CAFRE to help
you any time you need Residential students who As a CAFRE student you will
support. Your Personal Tutor wish to transfer to a local have access to a free 24/7
will be there to advise you on doctor, or who are living independent and confidential
academic issues. Our Student outside the practice area of service either by telephone
Support Officer offers their family doctor (generally or by face-to-face counselling
individual advice and 15km), may register with a on or off campus. The service
guidance on personal, local doctor of their choice. is discreet and professional
academic and financial If you are unwell, the and its staff have wide
matters and any other Accommodation Team will experience in dealing with
concerns you may have. In make arrangements for you all types of problems
the first few days of your to attend a doctor, or if students may face. We hope
course you’ll take part in an necessary, take you to you will not need this service
induction programme during hospital. but it is reassuring to know
which you’ll find out about that it is there. CAFRE
our full range of support Support for students student support services
services and the people who with disabilities comply with our policies on;
are there to help you. Anti-bullying, Drugs and
If you have a disability or Alcohol, Pastoral Care,
Accommodation and specific learning difficulty Health Promotion, Equality
residential support team please let us know as and Diversity, Sexual
early as possible so we can Orientation Discrimination
These staff are available meet your individual and Health and Safety. Full
24 hours a day at each requirements and provide details of these policies and
campus to assist students timely support. Contact our our Student Charter are
living in accommodation. Student Support Officer for available at: www.cafre.ac.uk
further information.
28 Previous Next 29AGRICULTURE COURSES
Agriculture
courses
BSc (Hons) Degree
– Agricultural Technology (3 year)
– Agricultural Technology (4 year)
Foundation Degree
in Agriculture and Technology
30 Previous Next 31AGRICULTURE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Industry Employers are
Career
insights continually seeking
graduates with a
profile
sound grasp of new I was brought up on a Diary prepared me for working in this industry
developments farm in Co. Down and had
especially through the animal welfare and
husbandry modules. My work is rewarding
always an interest in agriculture and puts into practice many of the skills I
and that is why I applied for the learned through my course.
BSc (Hons Degree in Agricultural Although my formal full-time education is
Technology, which is delivered now at an end I want to keep developing my
knowledge and expertise. I have a personal
jointly by QUB and CAFRE. training plan in Dunbia which identifies
I found through my studies that CAFRE offers further training courses to complete that will
In Northern Ireland the great links with the agriculture industry both aid in my work and knowledge going
forward. When I look back at my time at
agri-food industry is the in Northern Ireland and abroad. Studying at
CAFRE was a very positive experience and Greenmount Campus and QUB I can say I
single largest employer, proved a great start to university life. thoroughly enjoyed the mix of lectures, visits
and practical sessions which combined
providing an estimated The Degree course allows students to study successfully to start me on my
for either three or four years, depending career journey.
100,000 jobs and providing upon the period of work placement
a gross output from completed. I opted for the one year
placement and worked in New Zealand for
agriculture of £1.74 eight months on a large dairy farm where I
gained an insight to life outside of Northern
billion in 2015. Ireland and different farming practices. I
really enjoyed this placement and would
There are many complex issues facing the
recommend it to any other student in
agricultural industry, including global
the future.
competitiveness, sustainability, and compliance
with agricultural and environmental policy. It is I then returned and completed a 16 week
important that those considering a career in placement with the HSENI which I found very
the industry are capable of adopting and interesting and knew this was the type of
embracing new technologies, policies and career I would enjoy after graduation.
marketing opportunities.
After my work placement I returned to
There are rewarding employment Queen’s University to study on my final year.
opportunities for students who have Since graduating in June 2019 I have gained
completed recognised qualifications within the employment with Dunbia in Dungannon as a
land-based sector. Employers are continually Health and Safety Graduate spanning across Laura Fegan
seeking graduates with a sound grasp of new the company. I find my new role extremely
developments and a proven ability to manage interesting and that my degree course has Dunbia
commercial businesses and enterprises. At
Greenmount Campus our agriculture
programmes have repeatedly received the
endorsement of the industry.
32 Previous Next 33AGRICULTURE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Agriculture and
Sales/Marketing representatives Journalists
Employment opportunities exist in a wide Agricultural journalism is a rewarding career
variety of industries ranging from animal for anyone wishing to combine their
land-based career feed companies to agrochemical and
fertiliser companies. Graduates need to have
a good understanding of their customers’
knowledge of agriculture and current affairs
with writing skills in producing articles for
the media. Being an agricultural journalist is
prospects needs and the products they are selling.
Service industries such as insurance
companies or machinery dealerships
occasionally employ people with agricultural
all about meeting deadlines and looking at
new and different ways to cover a story.
Farm liaison representatives
backgrounds to provide a better service to
Food processing companies employ farm
Students enter the industry at different their farming clients. This sector seeks
liaison representatives to strengthen links
graduates with good initiative and well
levels depending on their qualifications developed interpersonal skills. with the farmers who supply their raw
materials. They must have a sound technical
and experience. Our graduates now hold Teachers/Lecturers knowledge of the relevant agricultural
many senior positions in the agricultural Graduates may find interesting and
enterprise, an understanding of the
processing operation and good negotiation
and land-based industries. rewarding careers in this area. College and communication skills.
lecturers normally require degree level
qualifications, a good technical knowledge Farm liaison representatives may be involved
For more information on career choices visit: of farming and the environment, the ability in marketing, identifying and selecting new
www.career-descriptions.co.uk or www.lantra.co.uk to interpret data and communicate suppliers and updating existing producers on
or our website www.cafre.ac.uk information to their audience. changing technical requirements.
Consultants/Technical advisers Farmers/Farm managers
Graduates employed in this sector require a Some graduates return to farming either as
sound technical background so that they can owners or managers. Successful farmers
Continuous help farmers identify and deal with technical need to be technically and practically
research is vital problems and advise on the options for the
development of their farm businesses. Good
competent and be able to make sound
business decisions in a changing
98%
if any industry communication skills, an entrepreneurial, environment. They also need to appreciate
innovative outlook and the ability to advise consumers’ requirements for safe,
is to progress individuals and companies on the impact wholesome, high quality food produced in
and this applies of proposed actions are very important in an environmentally friendly manner.
of students go on this job area.
very much to the to work or study.
Researchers
agriculture sector
Continuous research is vital if any industry is
to progress and this applies very much to the
agriculture sector. Interesting and rewarding
careers exist in this area for those who enjoy
scientific investigation, research design and
implementation, or who have an aptitude for
statistical research and forecasting based on
industry trends.
34 Previous Next 35AGRICULTURE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Our agriculture
facilities CAFRE trail
Machinery and
buildings centre Dairy
developments centre
Our farms at Greenmount are the focus for the
educational activities at the campus. They provide Walled garden
an excellent practical learning resource for
students undertaking agriculture programmes.
Resource Centre
Beef and Sheep
The Greenmount Campus Farm is made up of the Dairy Centre Development centre
is this way
(160 hectares), the Beef and Sheep Centre (130 hectares) and the Hill Student lodges
Farm Centre (960 hectares).
The three centres provide a unique resource year, mainly cereals and potatoes. The arable
for students to adopt a ‘learning by doing’ area on the farm is used by students to
approach while undertaking a course at practice many of the arable skills required by
CAFRE. Furthermore, the centres are used industry. Those with a keen interest can
extensively by Technologists and Advisers to become actively involved through the CROPS
demonstrate and promote the adoption of student learning project.
the latest technological advances within the
livestock and arable crop sectors.
Dairy Centre
Hill Farm Centre Beef and Sheep Centre
The Dairy Centre is part of a 160 hectare
mixed lowland farm with 180 dairy cows in Students select The Hill Farm Centre is located at The Beef and Sheep Centre, located at the
the herd plus replacements. The unit has
been designed to best meet the education
a learning project, Glenwherry, midway between Ballymena and Abbey Farm comprises a 130 hectare
Larne. It is a 960 hectare hill farm comprising lowland unit with 90 suckler cows, 200
and training needs of agriculture students gaining practical and 110 suckler cows and 1,100 ewes. The finishing cattle and 230 ewes. The RED
and the dairy industry, to enable the delivery management experience UPLANDS (Uniting the Production of MEAT learning project allows students
of knowledge and technology transfer. The
Centre complies with all relevant legislation in the enterprise. Livestock and Nature Development for to gain practical and management
Sustainability) student learning project allows experience in the beef and sheep
and animal welfare recommendations. Foundation Degree and Honours Degree enterprises and analyse enterprise
Students can select DAIRY as a student students to have responsibility for the physical and financial performance.
learning project, gaining practical and livestock on the Hill Farm Centre which is
management experience in the enterprise managed in an environmentally sensitive
and analysing physical and financial manner. Students have the opportunity to
performance. The Dairy Centre grows analyse farm physical and financial
approximately 50 hectares of crops each performance and influence future
management and policy decisions.
36 Previous Next 37AGRICULTURE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology (3 years) Entry requirements
A-level
BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology (4 years) BBB including at least two relevant subjects and
with Professional Studies GCSE Mathematics Grade C.
Or ABB including one relevant subject and GCSE
Mathematics Grade C.
This course is jointly provided by Queen’s University Belfast and CAFRE. The first
Note: Applicants not offering either Biology or
and second years of the programme are spent at Greenmount Campus, followed
Chemistry at A-Level should have GCSE Chemistry
by a period of work placement, with the final year based at Queen’s University Grade C or GCSE Double Award Science Grades CC.
Belfast (QUB). The partnership arrangement capitalises on the strengths of both
institutions to provide a course which is academically challenging but is strongly For other qualifications, please consult the Harry Stevenson
UCAS website:
focused on the application of business, economic and scientific principles. www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables I am from a farm in Co. Armagh
or refer to: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/ breeding Hampshire Down
undergraduate/agricultural-technology- pedigree sheep including
How to apply Course content
bscd473/#entry Hamptex rams. I have worked
UCAS course code The three year course incorporates a 16 week work on a dairy farm and a beef farm
Bursaries so I knew a career working in
(select one code only): placement. The four year Professional Studies option
D470 (4 year) incorporates one year of work placement. agriculture would suit me.
A number of bursaries each worth £1,000 are
D473 (3 year) available to students studying on Higher Education Greenmount Campus has great
Year 1 Year 3 courses at CAFRE (see page 16). Students will be links with the agriculture
Course duration:
eligible to compete for bursaries when they are industry and through their
3 or 4 years including
– Applied animal science – Professional studies work enrolled on the course. bursary programme I applied
work placement
placement option. for the Dunbia bursary award. I
– Applied crop science Placement
Course location: was delighted to win the
Greenmount Campus – Enterprise technology Year 3/4 bursary and look forward to
Students spend four months (3 year programme) or
(Years 1 and 2) & Queen’s – Introduction to business – Advances in crop and one year (4 year programme) on work placement. completing a year’s work
University Belfast (Final year) and research methods animal science and Students are responsible for arranging their own experience with the company
technology work placements in conjunction with QUB Work next year. I am planning a trip
Course Manager: – Mechanisation and to America during the summer
farm buildings – Agricultural technology Placement Advisers.
Dr Stephen Graham which may involve working on
project Progression opportunities and a beef farm so the money could
Telephone: Year 2
– Business innovation career destinations be very useful in funding my trip.
028 9442 6745
– Agri-food business and entrepreneurship
marketing and Graduates may have the opportunity to progress onto Looking to the future, I have a
Email: – Farm animal health appropriate postgraduate studies or research. keen interest in genetics so that
Stephen.Graham@daera-ni.gov.uk management and welfare Agricultural graduates are employed in a range of may influence my career path
– Crop production systems – Global issues in agriculture managerial posts in government services, agricultural after I graduate from the BSc
Visit:
www.qub.ac.uk/ado – Livestock production banking, consultancy, research, education and (Hons) Degree programme.
– Policies for environmental
and management sustainability training, ancillary industry or farm management.
The course is designed to provide students with the
– Sustainable agriculture flexibility to adapt to a changing job market and
This course is jointly provided with
(4 year option only) each year a number of graduates obtain employment
– Work placement outside the sector.
38 Previous Next 39AGRICULTURE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Foundation Degree Entry requirements
Students should normally have at least 48 UCAS tariff
in Agriculture and Technology* points at A2 Level (including a Science subject)* plus
four appropriate GCSEs or equivalent, including
*subject to revalidation English and Mathematics at Grade C or above.
*A-Level Chemistry or Biology are preferred but
The Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Agriculture and Technology is validated Geography and Technology and other cognate
subjects are acceptable, if a Grade C or higher has
by Ulster University, aims to help students develop the production, been achieved in Double Award Science at GCSE
management and marketing skills required to work in the land-based sector. level, or a Grade C has been achieved in two
separate science subjects at GCSE.
How to apply Course content Applicants are normally required to have at least Laura Jamieson
three months relevant practical experience to include
UCAS course code: The course has four key themes: livestock husbandry skills and operation of farm Growing up on a lowland beef
004D – Agriculture production machinery in an agri-business. and sheep farm and working
– Business management on local dairy farms has given
Part-time online: – Science, technology and mechanisation Students entering with a BTEC qualification should
me a keen interest in
www.cafre.ac.uk normally have achieved a Merit overall and at least
– Work-based learning employability. agriculture. I knew from
one Distinction achieved in a final year subject.
Course duration: Enhanced entry criteria may be applied subject to attending an Open Day at
Students can opt to complete the programme in two years by Greenmount Campus that the
Full-time: 2 or 3 years selecting the short work-based learning option or three years demand for this course.
depending on work placement. if they select one year of work-based learning. course would widen my
For other qualifications, please refer to the table experience of all farming
Part-time: Up to 4 years on page 27 or consult the UCAS website: sectors in Northern Ireland and
Year 1 Semester 1 www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tariff/tarifftables enable me to pursue a career
Course location:
Greenmount Campus Core modules Core module Bursaries within the agricultural industry.
– Academic development – Farm business management A number of bursaries each worth £1,000 are
Course Manager: During my first year studies, I
and employability available to full-time students studying on Higher
Dr Stephen Graham Plus two module options have really enjoyed the
Education courses at CAFRE (see page 16). Students
– Animal science practical learning during the
will be eligible to compete for bursaries when they
Telephone: – Crop production systems Enterprise Studies module in
– Arable crop studies are enrolled on the course.
028 9442 6745 or Ruminant production the Dairy Centre. This has
– Enterprise studies systems Placement helped me improve my
Email: knowledge of milk production
– Pig and poultry production All students are required to undertake a work-based
Stephen.Graham@daera-ni.gov.uk – Farm technology and learning placement during which students develop and gain the practical
mechanisation – Farm buildings and technical and commercial expertise within the agri- experience needed to develop
– Grass systems mechanisation food industry. Students have the option to either my career prospects. I am
– Introduction to business – Research methodologies take a full year out on work-based learning or they looking forward to broadening
management and data analysis can undertake a short placement which is achieved my knowledge of livestock
through a period of relevant work amounting to at husbandry, health and welfare.
Plus one module option to Semester 2 least 400 hours. Placement opportunities are I am particularly interested in
study in semester 2 Core module available in the UK, Ireland and overseas for learning about upland beef and
– Farm machinery example: New Zealand, Australia, USA and Canada. sheep production at the Hill
– Work-based learning
Part-time students must also complete a placement Farm Centre at Glenwherry,
– Livestock husbandry, health Plus two module options but may be eligible to apply for accredited prior during the lambing season.
This course is validated by and welfare
– Developments in agriculture learning (APL).
– Production, principles and Looking to the future, I aim to
– Human resource Progression opportunities and career destinations achieve a work placement
practice (Horticulture)
management Students who meet the necessary requirements may within the red meat or dairy
Year 2
– Organic agricultural have the opportunity to apply for entry to Honours sector.
(or Year 3 for those opting
production Degree programmes. There are career opportunities in
for the long work farming and enterprise management as well as
placement option) marketing, sales, contracting and consultancy.
40 Previous Next 41EQUINE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Equine
courses
BSc (Hons) Degree
in Equine Management
Foundation Degree
in Equine Management
42 Previous Next 43EQUINE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Industry Enniskillen Campus
Career
insights provides the widest
range of equine
profile
programmes I graduated from CAFRE, Kentucky but also had the opportunity to
in Ireland. Enniskillen Campus in June 2018
spend a few months in Ocala, Florida. This
was a great experience – I was able to put
with a BSc (Honours) Degree in what I had learnt at CAFRE into practice and
Equine Management. I learnt a great deal more about undertaking
equine research activities into palatability
I really enjoyed the course and felt that I and digestibility of feeds and oxidative stress
learnt a lot about equine science, business and bone density in horses.
and management. I developed a particular
interest in equine nutrition. My Honours I returned back to Ireland and was fortunate
The equine industry is an dissertation was based on steaming hay. I to be given the opportunity to work for
was awarded the Danske Bank bursary in my Bluegrass Feeds. I am based in Eglish,
international business with final year as a result of my performance in Dungannon and my main role is as a
many job opportunities, the Business Management and Development nutritional adviser to clients. I am really
module assignment and subsequent enjoying this work – it enables me to use my
enabling students to interview with staff from Danske Bank and technical knowledge and my interpersonal
CAFRE. skills to advise horse owners how best to
experience life and work feed their horses.
around the world. I applied for and was successful in obtaining
an internship at Kentucky Equine Research
(KER). I headed off to the United States after
Enniskillen Campus provides the widest graduation to undertake this internship. I
range of equine programmes in Ireland. spent some time working in Lexington,
Courses have been developed which meet
the needs of the industry and students alike,
producing graduates with the capability to
succeed in a wide range of careers. Through
the courses, the College aims to help develop
a competitive equine industry and aspires to
give students an insight into many different
equine related careers.
Industry connections
Enniskillen Campus has strong connections
with industry organisations including
Coolmore, Godolphin, The Irish Field, Horse
Racing Ireland, Horse Sport Ireland and Spy Vera O’Callaghan
Coast Farm. These organisations provide
‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities for work Bluegrass Horse Feeds
placements and graduate internships
which help young people develop their
employability skills ‘in the real world’ under
the guidance of a supportive employer.
44 Previous Next 45EQUINE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Equine
Racehorse trainers Technical sales representatives
The racing industry requires highly skilled Due to the changes and developments within
people to work as racehorse trainers. the equine market there are a number of
career prospects Successful racehorse trainers require well
developed business management and people
skills as well as excellent horsemanship.
companies supplying materials and
equipment to the industry. These can vary
from feed merchants and equipment
retailers, to bloodstock sales companies and
Riding instructors businesses selling alternative therapies. Sales
Enniskillen Campus has built up an extensive representatives must have a thorough
A teaching vocation within the equine
database of contacts, which helps students find industry will offer a challenging career and a
knowledge of their products and the ability
to establish a positive rapport with customers.
work placements to broaden their experience high level of job satisfaction. Riding
instructors need to be enthusiastic, Equine lecturers
and sense of perspective. Students enter the confident, patient and articulate with a sense
of humour and good communication skills. There is a number of equine related
equine industry at different levels depending education and training job opportunities for
on their qualifications and experience. Service industries graduates. Equine lecturers require good
technical knowledge, the ability to transfer
A variety of industries within the service specialist expertise and good communication
The skills and knowledge gained through Enniskillen Campus courses sector, such as insurance brokers and the skills.
are also relevant to careers outside the equine industry. The following tourism industry, employ people with equine
are some of the typical careers available to equine graduates. related backgrounds to provide a service to Equine business owners/managers
their clients.
To successfully manage an equine business,
Administration people require technical and practical
competencies and the ability to make sound
Opportunities also exist with governing business decisions in a changing environment.
bodies such as Weatherbys, the Jockey Club
and Show Jumping Associations. There are Technical advisers
other posts within industry involved in
handicapping, marketing and development. Technical advisers help equine owners to
identify and deal with problems and also
Competition and stud grooms assist and advise on business development.
Advisers need sound technical and business
Grooms should be in excellent health, management knowledge, as well as the
physically fit, hard working, skilled and ability to assess the impact of new
Students enter motivated. Some grooms also ride and information and technology. They also
compete in their chosen industry. Progression
94%
the equine industry to head groom or travelling groom usually
require an innovative outlook and good
communication skills.
at different levels comes with experience.
depending on Riders
of students go on
their qualifications to work or study.
There are a number of jobs worldwide for
lightweight, experienced work riders.
and experience. Talented, dedicated riders can progress in
their area of expertise to become
competition riders or jockeys.
46 Previous Next 47EQUINE COURSES HE PROSPECTUS
Our equine
facilities
Equine courses offered at Enniskillen Campus incorporate
a strong practical dimension and the philosophy of
‘learning by doing’ is applied throughout all programmes.
Specialist amenities skills including maintaining detailed physical
and financial records. The units also provide
The campus was founded in 1967 and has students with the opportunity to gain hands
provided over 50 years of high quality on experience in the daily care and handling
education and training with equine courses of broodmares, horses and youngstock.
being offered since the early 1990s. The There is a range of broodmares in the
combination of excellent equestrian, campus breeding unit including Flat and
teaching and residential facilities at the National Hunt Thoroughbred and Sporthorse
campus enables students to develop their mares. Students are involved in a range of
practical and academic competencies in a activities including preparation for foaling,
pleasant environment. The students receive monitoring mares around foaling, stallion
excellent support from members of the local selection and preparation of the
equine industry. The campus has been Thoroughbred foals for the sales.
redeveloped to provide an impressive range
of indoor and outdoor facilities. There are In addition to completing their formal
stabling facilities for student livery horses, academic studies, students participate in a
horse walkers, an indoor arena and a wide range of activities throughout the
number of outdoor arenas. academic year, which complement formal
course work. These activities include the
Hands-on experience Campus Racing and Riding Clubs.
The campus racing enterprise provides
students with invaluable experience in
handling and riding racehorses in training. A
specialist breeding unit enables students to The campus
gain experience in managing a yard and
participate in the events within the equine racing enterprise
stud calendar. The equitation unit provides provides students
first class facilities for training the horse and with invaluable
rider. Students also have the opportunity to
contribute to the management of the equine experience in
units at the campus. This helps students to handling and
develop management and organisational
riding racehorses
in training.
48 Previous Next 49You can also read
