Testimonials

The distance learning surpassed my expectations, I was slightly sceptical at the beginning but I have found it a surprisingly good way of learning. Even though I’ve finished the MSc there are more modules that I would like to do in the future [for CPD]. The Nuffield report writing and final MSc dissertation really improved my research and on-farm trials skills. I remember being quite daunted at the start of the MSc…. But I now feel far more confident in my scientific skills.”

I found the flexibility of the programme made it easy to fit around my work commitments and allowed me to study at times that suited me, without feeling overly prescriptive. The communication and detail provided throughout the course, particularly around deadlines and requirements, were excellent and made it easy to stay on track. The Health and Welfare module was particularly relevant to my role and helped bring my knowledge up to date in this area. I also found the Research Methods module extremely valuable, as it provided a strong understanding of how research is designed, conducted and interpreted. As a result, I now read and evaluate scientific papers with a much more critical eye, which will be very beneficial in my work. I would recommend the MSc programme to anyone looking to build on their Nuffield Scholarship experience and develop their findings into a robust scientific piece of work.

“The Nuffield PGCert gave me the structure and dedicated time to approach my Nuffield study systematically and consider my topic through a different lens. The Research Practices module helped me frame the conversations I would be having abroad and really understand what I wanted to learn from everyone I spoke to. Fantastic tutors, excellent modules and a very accessible way to build on the Nuffield experience.”

'You can choose modules that are relevant to your business or what you find interesting, which is really cool'

“..personalized support, combined with the high-quality curriculum, has made this one of the best educational experiences I've had.”

I remain truly grateful to my lecturers at Aberystwyth University who made my distance learning journey seamless. I still remember my first module, Sustainable Supply Systems, when we were asked to introduce ourselves and share our future aspirations. My vision was to work in agrifood systems with the United Nations. I am humbled to share that I am now living that dream...This journey has been possible because of the opportunities provided through the [Commonwealth] scholarship, and I remain deeply thankful. As I graduate, I extend my sincere appreciation for the support that has enabled me to reach this milestone and for the continued commitment to empowering individuals like me who would otherwise not have come this far. You changed my life!

‘I did half of my course in Ecuador, the other half in Australia and I always felt covered, I always felt I was into something big’

“I was applying the knowledge immediately in the field. When I learned something about sustainable livestock production, I could go and share it the next week with the farmers I worked with.”

“It's very flexible, so, the fact that the course runs for more or less for 12 months of the year allows you to choose the modules that are relevant to you and help to shape your research project. We have changed lots of what we do on the farm based on what I have learned and researched.”

[I liked] "Learning about a subject that I enjoyed dealing with in a practical sense, i.e growing vegetables and fruit, but which I had never thought of in a scientific way before, due to my non-science background. It has been a complete eye-opener and fascinating, although I found it very hard also. My tutor, Sarah Watson-Jones was fantastic, very approachable, helpful and friendly...Thank you for helping me discover the potential for a career change.”

At the stage I was in my career, I needed to have an additional qualification but also because of family commitments, I wasn't able to leave my job and study fulltime. So this was a great opportunity! ...I think it's one of my greatest achievements, to complete a PhD part-time and also publish in Nature.

My field is sustainable livestock production, but I believe this course has broadened by knowledge in sustainable agriculture which can be applied to the tutoring I perform at the University of Glasgow.

I work in a research agricultural centre, for me is very important the continue learning to enhance the sustainable production.

[I enjoyed] getting an insight of the current practices in CEA through the virtual farm visit. I have my own small hydroponic system to make my experiments and maybe to build a (social) enterprise on this knowledge

The lecture content and delivery was really interesting and enjoyable throughout. Really well delivered, good length and complexity. Also the practical workshop was a really nice event to have, seeing the work in practice.

It has changed how my business operates and has led me to some further reading and experimentation. I learnt so much about CEA that I think it could be a stand alone degree. I would love to dig further into every aspect more thoroughly.

What I have learnt will help with the hydroponics unit that we will receive from Tech Tyfu next spring and I hope we will be able to learn from our practical experience. We also hope that we will be able to encourage other farmers to investigate CEA as an addition to their farming operation and also encourage more people to take part in further studies in their adult life.

“Being a distance learner worked very well for me. I could do lectures in the evening or if it was quiet in the day. I was able to base my research project around my work and have developed a training course for vets as an output.”

It was so different to any other module I have studied that I found it really interesting. It has made me question how I am being manipulated in many areas of life

I'm delighted to have completed a PGCert in BioInnovation. The modules I have taken (Meat Processing, Precision Livestock, Waste Resource Management) have all been really relevant to industry, really relevant to my role and very current and topical

An excellent module. It was clear that [the tutor] had put a huge amount of work into the materials, this is to be commended. Great layout of materials. I chose this module as I thought that the subject was very relevant. The module was exactly what I wanted, and I really enjoyed learning about LCA.

I work with Welsh red meat farmers as part of my job, developing and implementing project work on farms. This can be trialling new technologies for example, so gaining a broader knowledge on the technologies that are out there for precision agriculture use will really benefit me with developing project ideas for the future.

[I enjoyed] The practical application of filtration through the videos. Lots of good information provided. I will be applying it in my job which involves membrane filtration at a pilot level through all varieties

Waste is a big issue in the meat industry particularly for smaller processors and butchers as they have smaller profit margins and it’s important for them to maximise their returns. So, I wanted to learn more about the meat supply chain and help to identify if, and where, waste reduction cost savings could be made. The Meat Processing and Sustainable Supply Systems modules have been really useful in helping me to explore new products and ways to help make the meat industry become more of a circular economy.

This course is great for people who are in the industry and have a science background but also for people like me who are social scientist and need to gain a broad understanding of meat technology. This will help me in my work managing farmers markets as well as supporting the Cameroon government in developing their local meat industry.

For his MRes research project, Seke is using high tech methods to dissect the genetics and morphological characteristics of some of Malawi’s local maize landraces. His aim is to reduce the growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi in the crop. Aflatoxins are particularly harmful to children causing stunted growth, delayed development, liver damage, and liver cancer. Seke says: This research is important as it will inform maize breeders and researchers what to consider in breeding maize varieties to enhance the future health of the population.

‘This might make me sound like a bit of a nerd, but I have really enjoyed the fact that I am now able to have more productive conversations with both academics and members of the aquaculture supply chain. The extra knowledge from the academic reading has made academic contacts more accessible, and I now feel like I am sitting in the middle of the Venn diagram in my field, rather than within one of its circles.’

'Writing the literature review opened my eyes to how much scientific research has been done on my topic around the world and I now plan to share my review with catchment stakeholders in the areas that I work'

The opportunity to subject my Nuffield study to the academic rigour of a Postgrad module with IBERS has been invaluable both in developing my recommendations to the industry and adding weight and credibility to my conclusions. IBERS has been really flexible and being involved with a university after such a long time has been a refreshing experience!

[The most enjoyable aspect of the module was] the business plan, although I definitely found this the most challenging. ....... Having never seen a business plan before or really looked a set of farm accounts It was defiantly a steep learning curve, however I enjoyed thinking about future diversification of my farm and writing a business plan for this purpose.

[The most enjoyable aspect of studying this module was] furthering my understanding of scientific writing. [I will use what I have learned] to review and amend my work to meet a more challenging audience

The course is well structured, and the tutor was very helpful throughout, with prompt responses to any questions, this helped with feeling involved in the module and not just like I was studying via distance learning. It really opened my eyes to other aspects of the industry and current research.

I really enjoyed the interaction with the lecturers over planning the dissertation and the knowledge gained from the conversations. I will use what I have learned practically in work for presentation data and knowledge transfer

Really interesting topic and loved learning about it. [this module will help me] to move into dairy nutrition

The module is very good, it has covered all aspects of plant production and plant breeding. The support and assistance are excellent. I have developed an understanding of how to take forward my own research on agricultural seed production linked to the geographical area and the needs farmers.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to go through the process of formulating my own project from the very early stages through to the research proposal. Having very little knowledge of statistics, this [module] helped me to gain a better understanding of the reasoning behind the statistics used currently in work and the methods I can apply in future research.

The silage clamp audit review was excellent as it demonstrated how to assess a silage clamp rather than just reading about it. I will be putting what I learnt into practice on the farm

It's my first module on the DL MSc and I wasn't sure how I'd manage engaging in it. I think it's exceptionally well structured, and I'd highly recommend it.

Excellent up to date research material that is thought provoking and questions the need for conventional practices when a transition to low input ruminant systems has so many benefits for farmers and ecosystem services

This is the best experience I have had of higher education distance learning. I was extremely well supported and advised and I am looking forward to continuing

Already recommended this module to others

“Great learning experience with knowledgeable lecturers.“

“This module will be used to inform decisions regarding trials using Alltech solutions, as well as to answer technical and scientific queries from sales force and customers.”

“I have learned that there are huge steps forward being identified in the way we can develop ruminant products that are more efficient and environmentally beneficial.”

“I will be able to set up a client orientated plant breeding programme involving local researchers and farmers.”

This module allowed me to make some new links between my specialism of agronomy and nutritional elements [of grass]. [Research findings of particular significance were] the GHG footprints of livestock systems

I am Markus Ritter, on the Research Masters (MRes) in Agriculture course, working on a project to evaluate the adoption of biocontrol in large row crop agriculture in Brazil. I am taking the course while working for Andermatt Biocontrol a Swiss company dedicated to the development and commercialisation of biocontrol products. These modules have helped me to update myself and to get a more in-depth understanding of the sustainability concept. The MRes project, a qualitative research study, applying the "Grounded Theory" methodology, is bringing interesting insights into the understanding of the farmer behaviour and the farmer 's consciousness of what sustainable farming is. When talking to other leaders in the bio industry, I notice a learning progress, I gained through studying IBERS distance learning modules and the research project. ,

My name is Javier Castillo, I'm professional support research in Colombian Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA* - Colombia), with experience in research forage and grasses for Colombian high tropics; generating strategies to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of milk production systems.I am currently studying for an MSc in Sustainable Efficient Food Production. The modules are interesting because the platform is manageable, understandable, ordered, methodological and teaching is high level; finally, the web of science is an excellent opportunity to learn. This program has helped me to generate a vision globally, to better perform my job in Agrosavia and personally as a person I have changed. *AGROSAVIA is a decentralized public entity non-profit, and the mission is to contribute to technical change to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the Colombian agricultural sector.