Harper Adams University

Summary

University Environment

Harper Adams University is situated close to the village of Edgmond in Shropshire, England. The campus is surrounded by parkland on the outskirts of Edgmond.

History

Since its foundation in 1901 (opening to only six students at the time), Harper Adams has had a long and proud tradition of working closely with the rural sector. It remained open during the First World War, and in 1915 the first women were admitted into the college on wartime farm courses. In 1916 women were admitted full-time onto a wide variety of courses while the University's library was established in 1921 in memory of approximately 200 staff and former students who served in the forces in the war.

In 2004, Harper Adams was awarded £2.1m to develop its work with rural businesses, while it gained power to award research degrees in 2006. For the first time, in 2008 Harper Adams was awarded the title of 'Best University College' from The Sunday Times – the same title followed for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. That same year and the year preceding, Harper Adams achieved first place for teaching quality, also in The Sunday Times.

In 2015, Harper Adams University was the runner-up University of the Year at the WhatUni Student Choice Awards. The university also won the award for student support and was in the top three institutions in a further five award categories. Harper Adams was the second highest climber in the Complete University Guide 2016 league table and consistently achieves a graduate employment rate above 96 per cent, giving it the most consistent track record in specialist agri-food provision.

Academics

Departments

• Department of Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences
• Department of Crop and Environment Sciences
• Department of Engineering
• Department of Food Science and Agri-food Supply Chain Management
• Department of Land, Farm and Agribusiness Management

Research

In the 2014 REF (Research Excellence Framework), 100 per cent of the research conducted by Harper Adams University was assessed to be of 'international quality', with more than 50 per cent either 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'. The University has excellent infrastructure to support its research including modern laboratories, engineering facilities and ready access to the University Farm, as well as technical staff and a thriving community of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

Harper Adams has links with more than 500 companies, and their graduates are highly sought after in the market place. As a result the University is able to offer an ever-increasing number of scholarships from the private sector as well as subject-specific scholarships. The scholarships take a variety of forms, from help with tuition fees, to paid work placements, support of final year projects, and employment upon graduating as long as certain criteria are met. Scholarships may be awarded for one, two or three years. 

Facilities

Library Facilities

The University library provides a wide range of learning resources and services, including access to around 42,000 books, a growing e-book collection, over 4,000 print and electronic journals, and the most relevant databases for your courses. It also provides a range of study facilities including group study rooms and a silent study room. 

The highly regarded Engineering Department benefits from a number of specialist facilities including the new £2.93m Agricultural Engineering Innovation Centre with electronics / mechatronics, and research laboratories and a large lecture theatre.

Students have 24-hour access to a number of PCs for most of the year, so you can work at times that suit you. There are a large number of networked PCs across campus in the library, Weston Building, Faccenda, Engineering Design Centre, and Foulkes Crowther building. A wide range of the latest software is available for word-processing, spreadsheet analysis and presentations, database work, e-learning and statistical analysis. Specialised software is available for agricultural, engineering, science, business and educational studies, and also statistical and commercial software.

Sporting Facilities

The University gym features modern CV equipment including treadmills, cross trainers, rowers and stepper machines along with an extensive free weights and resistance training area. The heated outdoor swimming pool is free to access and located in the heart of the campus.

Facilities and activities on campus include: Aerobics, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Circuit training, Crossfit, Dance, Eventing, greenlaning, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Horse riding, Ice skating, ITF Taekwondo, Mountain biking, Netball, Polo, Racketball, Rounders, Rowing, Rugby, Running, Shooting, Squash, Skiing, snowboarding, Tennis, Yoga, Zumba.

Most of these activities are all on campus but if they are not, the university will help you either set up a club or join one locally. All the facilities on campus are free to use for the students.

The University also houses: a sports hall; two new multi-use games areas; a dance and aerobics studio; grass pitches; a floodlit match pitch; an Astro turf all weather pitch; squash and tennis courts; a bowling green; a shooting ground; table tennis facilities; basketball courts; and a cricket pitch.

Students' Union

Students' Union

The Students' Union is based in the Faccenda student centre, with students responsible for organising social events including four annual balls.

Lots of students also get involved with the Raise and Give (RAG) organisation, which oversees events such as quiz nights, slave auctions and barbecues throughout the year to raise cash for charity and have some fun into the bargain. The RAG team has donated money to charities such as Diabetes UK, The Everyman Cancer Charity, the Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

An experienced team of Chaplains care for the students and are available for drop-ins and informal reflection. The Chaplaincy Team aims to: offer friendship, pastoral care and spiritual counsel; help build up the community by working in collaboration with the University and local community; link with local religious groups and provide information about the different faiths represented in the region; encourage spiritual, ethical and moral debate within the University.

Health & Wellbeing

The University recommends that you registar with a local doctor, while a sister and a doctor are also available for contraception and sexual health advice.

A Counselling service is available to help you address personal or emotional problems that get in the way of having a good experience and realising your full academic and personal potential. The Service offers free and confidential advice, as well as individual support sessions.

Two Halls of Residence at the University have several purpose-built rooms to  accommodate wheelchair users, and the University are always keen to meet the needs of students who may require modifications in their room, such as intercom systems, flashing lights on fire alarms, and mechanical beds. 

Career Facilities

The Careers Service, based in the  Faccenda student centre, offers professional advice and guidance. Workshops are available  to help students write a CV and get all the information and preparation they need in order to get a job. 

Degree courses at Harper Adams include an industrial placement period (usually one year). Most of the placements are paid and experience working in the real world is great for your confidence and CV. 

Accommodation

The University Halls of Residence are all within just a short distance of each other and offer a range of accommodation including catered and self-catered options. 

International

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, the University asks for IELTS 6.0 overall, with no lower than 5.5 in any component. 

International Support

Harper Adams University has a wide range of cultures, with students coming from 30 different countries.

International students are invited to an induction before the start of their course to help them settle into accommodation, tour the campus and locality, organise bank accounts, and register with the police. A team of staff is available for you to approach with any questions and concerns that may arise during your time at the University, while dedicated tutors provide English language classes, study advice and individual support.

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