Postgraduate Certificate Organic Farming

Location: Aberdeen
Study mode: Distance learning (1 year)
Subject area: Agriculture
Start date: September 2022
Agency code: Z201

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Course overview

Watch our Organic Farming Introduction video to find out more.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

Entry requirements

A degree relevant to the sector and/or assessment of candidate’s ability to benefit from the course. No absolute academic prerequisites - work experience is considered.

Evidence of competency in English.

What you'll learn

The course aims to provide you with a good understanding of the organic sector and a sound knowledge of the science underpinning organic farming.

It will also teach you how to critically appraise organic farming as an agricultural system, and develop your understanding of the marketing, business and quality assurance requirements for organic produce.

The course modules offer of a mix of technical production, marketing and management, and skill development modules, underpinned by work experience and a study tour that demonstrates real-life practical examples.

Course format

This course is studied part-time through on-line distance learning. This allows those in continuing employment or with family commitments to participate. With the exception of several weekend schools, the learning is carried out in the student's home or workplace.

Compulsory modules

: This module will provide an overview of the philosophy, principles, history and development of the organic farming industry. The organic standards will be introduced and the ways in which they are used to regulate the organic food and farming industry at UK, European and world levels will be covered, serving the dual role of organic farming in both a growing organic market and the delivery of public goods. The roles of the main UK organisations and support schemes that influence the development of the organic sector will also be explored.
: Organic certification requires farmers and growers to optimise production under constraints set by EU Regulation. This module will explore a range of typical organic production methods for UK grassland, arable, horticultural and vegetable field crops, within the context of these constraints.
: This module will look at the organic approach to livestock production in ruminant, monogastric and aquaculture systems. It will cover the relevant organic standards and the key elements of organic livestock management including breeds and breeding objectives, rearing systems, appropriate housing and nutrition, animal welfare and health. Students will gain an understanding of health planning and a whole-system approach to animal management and how these practices address the organic principles.
: Organic certification requires farmers and growers to optimise production under certain constraints set by EU Regulation. In soil terms this particularly means restrictions on nutrient inputs and the need for soil properties to be optimal to ensure other agronomic and environmental requirements are met. This module provides students with the tools to manage soils optimally for organic production. Ultimately, they should be able to describe soil properties, evaluate soil fertility and assess management requirements in the context of organic farming.

Student experience

Media consultant David McKay joined SRUC in 2019 as a postgraduate student in Organic Farming. Coming from a non-farming background, he faced a steep learning curve but found plenty of help and support from his teachers and fellow students.

"I applied to the Organic Farming MSc programme because I was hoping to turn my hobby of growing vegetables into a new career," he said.

"The staff have all been fantastic, and extremely helpful. My classmates are friendly and enthusiastic. We hail from all corners of the UK, Ireland and Europe, but we all share a passion for all things organic.

"So far, the course has been enjoyable, inspiring and challenging in equal measure."

The Irish Organic Association (IOA) has published an article with more student feedback on the course.

"So far, the course has been very enjoyable, and I would say inspiring and challenging in equal measure."

David McKay

Meet the lecturer

Professor Christine Watson

PhD, University of Aberdeen

Based at our Aberdeen campus, Christine is Professor of Agricultural Systems. She has a background in soil science, but has worked in many different farming systems including arable, dairy, outdoor pigs and agroforestry.

Christine has been involved in research on organic farming throughout her career, as well as in organic certification.

She is a guest professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).

View Christine's Pure profile

Dr Lou Ralph

PhD, University of Edinburgh

In her early career, Lou was involved in organic farming research. She made the switch to education and has been leading the MSc in Organic Farming since 2011. Her undergraduate degree is in agriculture, and she's particularly interested in land use and the environment. Lou also teaches on the countryside and environment programmes on campus.

Dr Robin Walker

PhD, Imperial College, University of London

Robin has worked at SRUC and its predecessor, SAC, for much of the period covering 1999 to the present day.

Robin is based at SRUC’s Craibstone Campus near Aberdeen and has over 20 years of research and lecturing experience. His work is primarily linked to the development of low input system approaches, including organic production, to improve the yield and quality (e.g. protein content) of crops as well as soil health. These strategies include optimising diversity through improved rotations and the use of crop mixtures, often utilising a forage or grain legume component. Alternative nutrient sources and improving nutrient cycling within a system are also of interest.

Robin has played a key part in delivering the Organic Farming PgDip / MSc distance learning programme since 2005 and is on the Core Team for this programme. He leads the Organic Crop and Grassland Production module, as well as the Soils and Nutrient Cycling module in this course.

View Robin's Pure Profile