Concordia Agricultural Bursary Scheme - (CABS)

Concordia has set up its Agricultural Bursary Scheme to enable post-graduate students from overseas to develop as managers or supervisors in order to perform this role on UK farms, so providing a valuable link between the UK grower or farmer and his Concordia students.

Who is the course for?

Applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

- Be overseas post-graduate students with a background in the land-based industries;
- Have already successfully completed at least one year in the Concordia placement scheme;
- Have the capacity to develop as managers or supervisors in their own countries, the UK or elsewhere

The course structure

The CABS programme lasts a year. It consists of a combination of an 18 week course at Plumpton College in East Sussex, close to Concordia’s headquarters in the South of England, and 30 weeks working for a land-based employer in a supervisory role.

The college course begins with an intensive three-week period includes an assessment of each participant’s learning/training needs, resulting in an individual training plan. This will take account of previous experience, English language skills, content of student’s first degree and their aspirations for the future. The rest of the year is split into alternating periods of in-college learning and work experience.

Involvement of the employers

Students have to be nominated by an employer, and ideally will work for them for the 30 weeks when they are not at college. Alternatively employment will be found with another Concordia grower. They should provide students with an opportunity to develop their supervisory skills together with accommodation and internet access during this time.

Assessment and certificates

Each student will produce a portfolio showing their entire course work and assignments that reflect individual work relating to their own placement and case study investigations.
Successful candidates will receive a Concordia certificate validated by Plumpton College. The certificate in Agricultural Management and Supervision will be awarded at pass, merit and distinction levels. There will also be certificates on specialist short courses such as food hygiene, pesticides, forklift truck driving, and health and safety.

Funding the course

The course is to be funded by Concordia. All costs of college training will be paid by Concordia, including accommodation and food.
While the students are on work experience, the employer will pay their wages and deduct money for accommodation.
Students should be prepared to cover any additional costs that may arise for books, outdoor clothing and other expenses while studying.

Selection procedure

Concordia employers are asked to nominate students, who will then be invited to apply for a place on the programme, using the needed form.
Applicants will be required to provide the names and the address of two referees (their nominating employer and their university/college) and to write a letter in English in support of their application. The letter should give:

- Details of formal education/training;
- Name of University/College, date of graduation and degree gained;
- Details of Concordia work experience to date, giving names and addresses of employers and dates;
- Why you want to participate in the scheme.

They will also have to give an undertaking to complete the whole programme over 12 months.