History
The College opened to six students in April 1901. The College consisted of the Main Building and a 178 acre farm on its doorstep, along with the family farmhouse, Ancellor House. In these early years the College, under the Principal Hedworth Foulkes (1901-22), offered certificate courses very much of a practical nature.
Education
You have a bright future ahead of you and this is where it starts. For more than 115 years Harper Adams has been inspiring and supporting people like you to achieve their ambitions. With top notch teaching, an intimate rural campus and excellent facilities we have everything you need to succeed.
Research
As our population grows, so do our demands on the planet. At Harper Adams, our research is responding to the biggest challenges that this presents.
We've created an environment where students, staff and industry work together on research with real-world impact. We're improving animal welfare, tackling food scarcity, and developing new farming technologies.
In 2014, the Research Excellence Framework results saw all of our work considered of international quality, and more than half world leading or internationally excellent. Before that, in 2006, we became the only specialist institution in the sector able to award our own degrees by research.
Career
Our graduate employment rate is consistently outstanding, thanks to the placement year all students take, our relationships with more than 700 businesses, industry-geared course content, and hard-working graduates with the knowledge and attitude employers need.
Short Courses
University Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2024
1001
2023
1001
2022
1001
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Student services
The Students' Union is the voice of the students, helping the university to develop academic provision and act on the issues that matter to students. It also campaigns and raises money for good causes and works with the local community.
Housing services
Finding the right place to live is an important part of settling in to university life. Our safe, rural location is a community where students are surrounded by a friendly faces and helping hands. Lots of students live on campus, within walking distance of all our facilities.
Here you'll find loads of information about our halls of residence, accommodation in the local area, how to apply, and what to bring!
Library services
The Bamford Library provides a wide range of learning resources and services, including:
- Access to about 40,000 books, over 700 e-books, nearly 2000 print journals, over 50,000 online journals and the most relevant databases for your course.
- Group study rooms and two silent study rooms.
- Group and one-to-one tutorials on finding and using resources.
ICT services
Having difficulty with Wi-Fi, printing, email or anything computer related? No problem! Our one-stop support service is here to help with IT, audio visual and e-learning issues.
Medical services
Linden Hall Surgery is based in the near-by town of Newport.
- You will be able to register with the surgery on registration day at the beginning of the academic year.
- A doctor holds appointments on campus
- Use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice.
- Own local dentist and arrange appointments during your vacations.
Campus life
From Freshers' Week to fancy dress parties, film nights, music, sports, comedy, day trips, food, and four themed balls a year, the Students' Union works hard to make Harper life as fun and friendly as it can.
Most of the action takes place on campus, in the huge main bar, the cosy Welly Inn, the sports fields, the great outdoors, shared kitchen diners and communal spaces you can gather. Off campus you'll find clubs, bars, cafés, shopping, cinema and theatre, recreation, YFCs, outdoor pursuits and places of interest. You'll get a calendar of events at the start of the year so you never have to miss a thing.
Sports facilities
If sport's your thing, you'll be happy at Harper, whether it's joining one of our many teams or supporting from the sidelines.
Sports on campus include rugby, football, shooting, hockey, netball, basketball and fencing. There are clubs for all of these sports as well as motorsport, off-roading, rowing, running, field sports, equestrian, biking, taekwondo, pilates, yoga, dance and many more.
In addition to on-campus facilities in the local area you can take part in golf, skiing and snowboarding, archery, ice skating, gymnastics, ten-pin bowling, swimming, fitness and much more.
Student clubs
Non-sporting activities include clubs for Welsh, Irish, Scottish, international, Christian and LGBT students.
There are also societies for debating, conservation, dance, gaming, and outdoor pursuits. The SU has an active RAG society through which you can raise money and awareness for good causes whilst having fun.
Societies are run by students, and the SU can help you set up a club for your own hobby if there's enough interest.
Harper Adams University College’s continued support for its staff has been rewarded with the renewal of its Investors in People (IIP) accreditation.
IIP is a national training standard that aims to help organisations achieve their objectives through the training and development of their people. Harper Adams has received whole-institution recognition for this commitment since 2003.