Rural Estate and Land Management

Deciding to return to higher education can be a difficult decision, especially when looking to balance studies and work. However, it can be an excellent opportunity to expand your skillset and challenge your preconceptions to find a new and potentially better way of working. This is true for Archie Ruggles-Brise who studied MProf Rural Estate and Land Management part-time and graduated in 2020.

Already working as a rural estate manager, Archie “looked at a number of institutions offering courses covering land management at postgraduate level in order - initially at least - to bolster my understanding of the land management sector, in particular professional advice.

“I have been commissioning advice for many years and felt it was time I understood better the basis of the guidance I was being offered so that I could ask better questions, and have a better understanding of the answers.

“Only Harper offered a teaching structure that I could incorporate into running a business and family life. Other part-time courses required regular weekly attendance or simply didn’t offer a viable part-time option.

“When I met tutors from Harper I was impressed by their approach and experience teaching older students. As well as their business-friendly course structure, they bring in outside expertise to supplement academic teaching, have a full range of site visits and vibrant links to industry.

“What made it work was the ability to fit the taught week blocks around my other commitments. This meant I ended up doing four modules in each of the four academic years I studied, involving 4 weeks out of the office each year, arranging backup cover and working in evenings during the taught week at Harper. At the outset, the postgraduate course leader made it very clear this level of extra commitment would be required, so I went into the course with that expectation, which was invaluable.”

"The course has been the stimulus to look again at what we do and try to build alternative approaches that make the best use of my existing knowledge, and the new understanding I have gained from my time at Harper.

“I’d encourage anyone thinking of returning to study to give it serious thought. For those in a similar position to me, with considerable work and family commitments, I’d suggest that my experience is proof that it can be done, and done well, so give it a go!"