Think studying agriculture is just about learning how to plant seeds and shear sheep? Think again! Agriculture has been at the center of human civilization since, well, since civilization began – and it remains at the heart of many of the most pressing issues for modern societies. Poverty, famine, development economics, genetic modification, environmental sustainability, disease epidemics… agriculture intersects with all of these, and agricultural graduates are involved in research and development work in all these fields. A highly interdisciplinary subject, agriculture requires students to have a good grasp of both natural sciences and social sciences, drawing on areas such as biology, environmental sciences, chemistry, economics and business and management. The range and combination of topics taught will vary depending on the institution. Some courses, such as the English-taught programs at the Netherlands’ HAS University of Applied Sciences, focus on preparing students for work at an international level – covering topics such as biobased economies, sustainability on a global scale, and global food systems. Others will have more of a focus on agriculture within a specific country or region, or on a particular aspect of agriculture – such as crop farming, animal care, sustainable practices, or large property management. There is also some variation in the degree of hands-on training required of students. Most agriculture courses will include at least one required work placement, and some universities even have their own farms. The UK’s Aberystwyth University, for instance, operates more than 2,500 acres of farmland. While many agriculture graduates go on to roles where mud and manure are less regular elements (management, research, consultancy), any student considering this subject should definitely be comfortable with spending time outdoors and in close contact with the natural world! Find the world's top universities for agriculture & forestry with the QS World University Rankings by Subject >

Types of role Across the globe, a wide and diverse range of careers are available to agriculture graduates. Types of role you could consider include: Farm management (overall or with a specialization such as livestock or crops) Research and development roles, such as trials management or laboratory technician work Sales and marketing roles within the agricultural supplies and services industry Working as a buyer for a supermarket chain or a representative for a group of producers Research, advisory and quality control roles within the food production industry Roles relating to land and property – including management, agency and surveying Possible employers From another angle, it might be useful to consider the different types of organization that employ agriculture graduates. Among your prospective employers you’ll find: Landowners Research agencies (public and private) Manufacturing companies Food processing companies Supermarkets Farms Land agents Conservation and environmental organizations Watchdog organizations, involved in assessing hygiene, animal care and product standards Livestock dealers Logistics companies Careers advice and case studies >