Overview
This Master’s in Agriculture and Environmental Science develops your understanding of the interaction between agriculture and the environment. There is an emphasis on sustainability and the ecological consequences of unsound management. It gives you the skills for careers related to:
- sustainability in farming systems
- environmental management
- rural development
You’ll develop academic and professional skills, preparing you for an exciting career in research, consultancy, policy and more.
The course consists of compulsory and optional modules allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests.
You’ll learn from industry-experienced and research-active lecturers. Our research in integrated agricultural production focuses on:
- agricultural production systems
- ecosystem services
- environmental impacts
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MSc – Master of Science
An MSc is a taught Master’s degree. It usually involves the study of a science-related subject. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words
You’ll usually study an MSc full-time over 12 months.
A Master of Science is typically awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation or research project.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
What you’ll learn
You’ll develop knowledge and skills in core concepts such as:
- sustainable development and environmental change
- quantitative techniques
- experimental design
- data analysis
- assessment of land use capability
- habitat potential
- risks of water pollution
- soil quality
- ecosystem services
- research skills
- analysis, interpretation, and presentation of field data
- science, policy and action underlying climate change and land use
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Agriculture and Environmental Science MSc modules
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dynamics of Coupled Human-Natural Systems | 20 |
| Critical Thinking and Analysis for Evidence-Based Environmental Science | 20 |
How you’ll learn
You’ll be taught through:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical field classes
- tutorials
- small group discussions
We expect you to study on your own, outside of these structured sessions.
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme
We offer flexible learning for those already working in the industry through the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme. This framework enables us to award postgraduate-level qualifications using credit-bearing stand-alone modules as ‘building blocks’ towards a qualification. This means that the credits from modules undertaken within five years can be ‘banked’ towards the award of a qualification.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Oral presentation
- Report
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
As part of your studies, you’ll complete a major research project. It might be like projects you experience in the workplace. We’ll support you in designing and delivering a project based on a laboratory or field-based investigation. You’ll collect, analyse, and interpret data to produce a thesis written in the style of an academic paper. Your research project and thesis may be based overseas.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Dr Hannah Davis
Dr Hannah Davis is the Degree Programme Director and an experienced researcher in ruminant nutrition and grazing management. Hannah’s research aims to understand how dairy management practices affect milk quality, animal health and environmental impact to optimise sustainable farming systems.
Our lecturers and research
Our lecturers are industry-experienced and research-active. Our research in integrated agricultural production focuses on:
- regenerative agriculture
- vertical farming
- natural capital
- soil science
- plant science
- ecology and biodiversity
- dairy and beef production
Strategic research embraces work on:
- precision agriculture
- rhizosphere function
- plant-soil feedback
- soil-carbon dynamics
- nutrient cycling
- sustainable livestock
Applied research addresses issues of:
- climate change mitigation (including biofuels)
- regenerative farming systems
- low-input crop systems
- agriculture-environment interactions
- crop health and production
Your future
Further study
This course provides a route into PhD level study. Each year, about half of our students choose to continue studying for their PhD.
Careers
The course will prepare you for a wide range of careers in:
- sustainability
- governmental or non-governmental organisations
- land, water or soil management
- agricultural or environmental management
- policy development
- academia
- education
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Life Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 150 for Agriculture and Forestry – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Facilities
Our location makes us the perfect place to study postgraduate Agricultural and Environmental Science.
On campus, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art labs and modern teaching facilities. With the UK countryside on our doorstep, and access to the University’s two commercially run farms, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get out of the classroom and put research into practice.
NU Farms
You’ll have access to Newcastle University (NU) Farms during your studies.
Our multi-purpose farms are viable farming businesses. We use them as demonstration facilities for teaching purposes. They also provide land-based research facilities.
You’ll also have access to greenhouses and vertical farming facilities.
