Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

University of Exeter has opted into the TEF and received a Gold award.

There has never been a more urgent need to train food security researchers who are equipped with skills in agronomy, plant pathology, plant disease and plant genetics, and knowledge of modern agricultural systems and agricultural policy. It is of vital importance that we increase crop yields significantly over the next 50 years, while also decreasing our dependency on chemical intervention and fertilizers.This interdisciplinary programme was developed in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including: the agricultural industry, government agencies (including Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (defra) and The Food and Environment Research Agency (fera)), and farmers and food manufacturers. Research-led teaching in molecular plant pathology, plant sciences, and microbiology is strongly supplemented by Rothamsted Research, North Wyke expertise in grassland management, soil science, and sustainable farming systems. The combination of expertise in both arable and pastureland systems ensures a truly rounded learning experience. Leading social scientists also provide valuable input on land use and economic practices in rural areas.The curriculum is designed to address critical shortages of experts capable of working in government agencies, agriculture, and the food industry as researchers, advisers, policy developers, and managers. The programme provides opportunities to gain industrial and practical experience and observe food security issues first-hand during field trips.

Students from some 140 countries come to Exeter each year to study and the International Student Support team are available to help them with matters such as immigration inquiries and visas issues as well as organising orientation programs and events taking place both on and off campus. They also run language classes for those who need to work on their English and produce newsletters filled with help and advice about living in the UK. They start with pre-arrival information to help students before they even arrive in Exeter. The Students Guild is the representative of the students at the university and organises the over 200 societies and clubs available to those attending Exeter. It is also responsible for arranging the annual Balls, though each residence hall also holds their own. These range from theatre companies to creative writing clubs, debate societies and volunteering projects. There is a student newspaper, TV station and a radio station. In sports, the Exeter University Athletic Union is responsible for the various sports clubs and organisations as well as sorting fixture lists. There are 49 clubs run through the university with around 5000 students taking part as well as another 3000 involved with intramural sports and sport volunteering programs. Most teams take art in the British Universities and Colleges Sport leagues.