Agricultural courses are attracting new interest from applicants who have grown up watching Clarkson’s Farm, according to Britain’s farm-based universities. At Harper Adams, Ken Sloan, the Shropshire university’s vice-chancellor, said his academics were “reporting interest at our events from a broader range of students, sparked by programmes such as Clarkson’s Farm”. He added: “One of the strengths of these shows is how they demonstrate the breadth of experience new entrants to farming — even celebrities and soap stars — need to draw upon to make their farms a success.”
Land management, in particular, is having a moment at Harper Adams, with fans inspired by “Cheerful Charlie” Ireland on Jeremy Clarkson’s hit series about the trials and tribulations of rural life.
A working farm of about 500 hectares in the Shropshire countryside has been the centre of the university’s academic operations for nearly 125 years. There, students learn the ropes on arable, pig and dairy enterprises. The university’s first off-campus site, the Quad in Telford, was opened by the Princess Royal, its chancellor, in October 2024. The ambitious new outpost, run in partnership with a local college and council, will host about 300 students a year alongside start-up businesses.
Ranked 99th in the world by QS for agriculture and forestry in 2025, Harper Adams continues to diversify — reflecting the rural economy that graduates hope to join. Its new Business School and the Harper Food Innovation department have developed courses in brewing, distilling, and viticulture. The student experience here is unique: with graduates saying, "you can take the student out of Harper, but you can never take Harper out of the student!”
What is Harper Adams University’s reputation?
Founded in 1901, Harper Adams gained full university status in 2012. It was our top-ranked modern university from 2017-22 and was named our inaugural Specialist University of the Year 2024. Professor Ken Sloan, the vice-chancellor, is the new chair of higher education at GuildHE, an organisation of 67 institutions.
Sixty per cent of the university’s work submitted to the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) was rated world-leading or internationally excellent — improving on the results from REF 2014, though its research ranking has fallen to 115th. The university's Hands Free Farm continues to test the potential of robots used in farming. At the innovative Future Farm at Harper Adams, paludiculture — or wet peat farming — is an emerging research focus.
Harper Adams was rated gold overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), achieving silver for the student experience and gold for student outcomes. However, the latest National Student Survey hints at discontent, with the university plunging 90 places to 107th for satisfaction with teaching quality.
Harper Adams was rocked by a report in August 2024 into claims of physical and sexual abuse during rugby club “hazing” initiation rites in 2022. A spokesman said the university had introduced new powers for the students’ union to stop funding clubs and exclude members involved in “unacceptable behaviours”.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
From 2025 courses are being introduced in applied data science; robotics, automation, and mechatronic engineering; digital business management; agriculture with policy and environment; and an accelerated two-year degree in veterinary bioscience.
What are Harper Adams University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Applications and enrolments remain stable overall. The highest demand of 136 Ucas tariff points is for integrated master's degrees in engineering, while foundation courses require 72 Ucas tariff points. Applicants from a low-participation area or who have spent time in care are eligible for a contextual offer (one grade lower). Mature students have a reduced GCSE requirement.
What are the graduate prospects?
All students have a work placement in their penultimate year. The university collaborates with industry to shape its curriculum, and more than 200 businesses attend on-campus careers fairs. Harper Adams ranks 77th for graduate prospects, and is top among the three land-based specialist universities.
What is Harper Adams University’s campus like?
Harper Adams runs a working farm with 435 cows (dairy and beef), nearly 800 sheep, and 230 sows. The university has planted its first vineyard on the main campus to teach viticulture. The Harper and Keele Veterinary School, a joint venture with the University of Keele, opened in 2020. A newly opened institute for diagnostics and a new cattle handling facility are used by veterinary students.
When can I visit?
harper-adams.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about Harper Adams University’s student life and wellbeing support
The Barn students’ union venue and the Welly Inn pub are the main hangouts on campus and clubs cater to wide-ranging interests, from beer brewing to astronomy. Sports facilities include a shooting ground, a heated outdoor pool, rugby, cricket, and football pitches. There’s a rowing club on the River Severn in nearby Shrewsbury. The wellbeing team includes a counsellor, mental health adviser, sexual violence liaison officer, and chaplain. Student Life representatives live alongside students and 24/7 phone assistance is available.
What do the students say?
“Studying at Harper has provided me with opportunities, lifelong friends and connections in industry that I intend to work for.”
Rhian Masson, final year BSc (Hons) veterinary bioscience student
What about student accommodation at Harper Adams University?
Accommodation on campus is guaranteed for those from abroad, disabled students or care leavers. The university is almost always able to accommodate all first-years and just over half the rooms are catered.
How diverse and inclusive is Harper Adams University?
Only the Royal Agricultural College is less diverse than Harper Adams. However, it is placed 11th for recruitment of disabled students. To widen participation, Harper Adams works on outreach programmes with organisations such as the Royal Entomological Society and Uni Connect.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Harper Adams University
Scholarships from philanthropic and industry donations totalling more than £650,000 were awarded to 152 students in 2024-25.
