Based at ARU's campus in Writtle, the Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences is dedicated to fostering sustainable and responsible interactions with the natural world.
Courses at our school share a common purpose – seeking solutions to today's challenges that affect the health of our land, animals, and humans connected to their environment.
Formally known as Writtle University College, we have been focusing on putting science into practice since 1893.
Graduates progress into high-impact careers relevant to modern global demands, with both knowledge and practical skills enabling them to really make a difference in their chosen career.
Being able to positively influence animal welfare, or the sustainable use of natural resources, provides our courses with a common purpose: seeking an integrated and collaborative approach to the appreciation of human influence on the health of our land, our animals and human populations.
Our degree courses are created in close consultation with the industries we support, meaning your learning remains current and relevant in a rapidly changing environment. As part of this focus, many of our courses have professional recognition, endorsements or accreditation, held in high regard among employers.
Many of our courses include field trips and visits, both nationally and internationally to support student learning. This includes a farm visits placement project, regular practical sessions at Colchester Zoo and an annual trip to Umphafa Nature Reserve.
The School’s friendly and supportive staff facilitate the combination of solution-seeking research; practical skills development delivered by industry-experienced individuals and excellent sector links. These elements combine to provide an ideal platform for students to develop a ‘science into practice’ approach to their discipline, together with the opportunity to foster personal connections within their industry of choice. The application of science to practical, real-world problems and their solutions motivates our staff and students to become thought-leaders in their chosen sectors.
Many of our teaching staff have worked and continue to work within their industries and are able to provide real sector insights from professional practice.
Our School is home to four areas of research: Animals in Motion, Equine and Animal Science, Crop Science, and Post Harvest Technology.
Our Animals in Motion Laboratory develops research in the areas of animal biomechanics, exercise physiology and performance.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Equine and Animal Science (CEQAS) focuses on farm and domestic animals and horses. It explores areas such as behaviour, care, nutrition, production and husbandry, exercise performance, reproduction and breeding, and welfare.
Members of our Crop Science team are investigating the environmental and physiological aspects of crop plant productivity and pathology.
And finally our Post Harvest Technology Unit is exploring disease reduction in stored fruits and vegetables using non-chemical treatments, and the pre-harvest treatment of cut flowers to improve longevity. As well as research, the unit is engaged in teaching and consultancy work.
Read more about research work in our School:
Writtle’s 150-hectare estate encompasses exceptional facilities used to enhance delivery, including a working farm (including regenerative agriculture demonstration areas), managed wildlife spaces, a small animal unit housing 200+ species, a modern science centre, a dedicated canine centre and equine centre with housing for around 70 horses.
We value students as individuals and with our smaller cohorts, every student is a name not a number. We recognise that each individual will have different requirements and career ambitions; this is why we ensure everyone is given the support and encouragement needed in order to achieve their goals.
The best way to find out more is to visit our next Open Day. We look forward to meeting you.