BSc (Hons) Agricultural Business Management (Placement Year)
The evolution of how food is produced, marketed, and controlled has created a need for professionals who can manage increasingly complex global supply chains, delivering value for businesses and consumers. You'll also have the chance to put your learning to practice during a work-based placement year.
Course overview
The BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Business Management will support you to develop the unique mix of knowledge and skills required to work in a range of roles in the extended food supply chain. Whether you want a career in a corporate environment directing supply systems, working in a family business or, in a SME refining delivery processes, this degree will support you to achieve your goals.
Core modules will give you a solid grounding in business while specialist modules will encourage you to explore food supply systems and their management in a wide range of contexts.
You will attend networking events, gain contacts through our alumni network, and have the opportunity to take part in a range of trips and activities to broaden your perspective.
Upon successful completion of the degree you may also receive the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 6 Diploma in Management and Leadership, and the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) Professional Diploma in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Also, annual membership to CMI is free for one year after graduation.
Work placement
In the third year, you will apply and develop your expertise and complete a 12-month period in the workplace. Not only could you find yourself working for prestigious companies in the UK or across the world, you will develop confidence and industry contacts for when you graduate.
For UK students (as of March 2020) a visa may not be required but this may change. For non UK/EU nationals (current Tier 4 visa students), the student will have to arrange their own visa.
** We are reviewing aspects of this course ahead of the 2023/24 academic year to ensure we provide the best possible student experience. Where we plan to make changes which have a material impact on the course, we will communicate those to you as soon as they are available. **
Start-up Visa
The Royal Agricultural University is an endorsing institution under the Home Office’s Start-up visa route. The Start-up visa is for graduates who demonstrate high entrepreneurial potential and wish to start a business in the UK for the first time.
The Start-up visa is administered by the University’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Programme and facilitated by School of Business and Entrepreneurship. To be endorsed for the Start-up visa by The RAU, you must be an RAU student or graduate, and have taken part in the University’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Programme. Contact enterprise@rau.ac.uk for further information.
Course content
Across the programme Employability Standards are built into every module. These are designed in consultation with employers, so you will always be able to see the relevance of what you are studying to your future career.
Timetables
Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and societies activities.
Modules
Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Each credit equates to 10 hours of total study time. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Full-time students normally take modules worth 60 credits per 15 week semester but this can vary depending on your elective choice. Part-time students taking proportionally fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for your degree is based on marks obtained for modules taken at level 5 and level 6 (weighted 30:70 accordingly).
The modules available for this degree are as follows:
Year one
In the first year, you will focus on the fundamentals of business management, marketing and finance.
- 1033 Business Finance
- 1236 Entrepreneur in Action
- 1325 Introduction to the Agri-Food Industry
- 1400 Developing Academic Skills
- 1414 Principles of Marketing
- 1415 Global Business Environment
- 1417 Business informatics
- 1418 People and Organisations
Year two
- 2023 Financial Management
- 2032 Marketing Management
- 2232 Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship and Enterprise Development
- 2267 Introduction to Research Skills
- 2316 Personal and Professional Development Skills
- 2317 Industry Placement
- 2348 Society and Food
- 2349 Resilience of Agro-Ecosystems
Year three
You will undertake your placement year during year three of your programme. You will complete Years 1 and 2, complete the placement year and then return for your final year of the programme.
- PPY Professional Placement Year
Year four
In the final year, you will have the opportunity to select elective modules and specialise in subjects of particular interest and relevance to your future career aspirations.
- 3006 Emerging Agri-food Issues
- 3320 Organising and Organisation
- 3324 Smart Food Systems
- 3316 Changing Consumer Behaviour
- 3300 Dissertation
Plus a choice of TWO electives selected from:
- 3041 Corporate Finance
- 3084 Entrepreneurship
- 3242 Negotiation in Business
- 3317 International Marketing
- 3318 Inspiring Change in Policy and Practice
- 3323 Food Ethics and Governance
The availability of electives to individual students will be dependent on timetabling considerations and on sufficient students electing to take part.
Disclaimer information
The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.
Careers and graduate destinations
The Agricultural Business Management core modules emphasise themes of: creativity, innovation, using one’s initiative, dealing with ambiguity and risk management. We pride ourselves on being able to help our students acquire the skills they need to foster their initiative and creativity as responsible global citizens. Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers within companies worldwide and within the following roles:
- Food account manager
- Farm trader
- Agriculture manager
- Agri-food communications
- Agri-food relationship manager
- Research manager
- Manager food and agriculture
"I enjoy the practicality of the learning and how interactive the lecturers are with Students"
James Edmondson, student
Entry requirements
Typical offers
Required: GCSE minimum five GCSEs at Grade C/4 including English Language and Mathematics (or Maths Numeracy for Welsh applicants) plus satisfactory level 3 qualifications:
- A-Level: (Example grades CCC) – minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points (to include at least two A-Levels or equivalent qualifications)
- C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC - Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) at Merit-Merit-Merit
- C&G NPTC/C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC - Level 3 Diploma (720), Extended Certificate (360) and 90-Credit Diploma (540) acceptable when accompanied by other Level 3 qualifications
- International Baccalaureate: 26 points
- Access to Higher Education: 45 credits at level 3, of which a minimum of 15 must be awarded at Distinction and 15 at Merit or higher (Pass at Functional Skills level 2 are accepted in lieu of GCSE English & Mathematics)
Other level 3 qualifications will be considered.
Visit the UCAS website to calculate your UCAS Tariff points from the qualifications and grades achieved.
You may also be eligible for a contextual offer if you’re from one of our link colleges, have been in care, from a non-white ethnic background, live in an area with low progression rates to university or you are a veteran/child of an armed forces family.
Flexible entry
The University welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. A wide range of qualifications and experience are accepted in order to join University degree programmes. The University always considers evidence of personal, professional (APL) and educational experience, (APEL), which show an ability to meet the demands of their intended programme of study.
Further information
Alternative entry routes are available for a range of other qualifications. Prior experience is also considered, subject to approval by the programme manager and admissions staff.
Read more general information about our entry requirements.
If you don't meet the entry requirements of this degree, you may be eligible for one of our Foundation degree courses or another related degree course.
International students will also need to achieve IELTS Academic or equivalent at the appropriate level for your programme of study. English language requirements for international students.
For any further help, please contact our admissions team:
- Email: admissions@rau.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)1285 889912
Fees
2023-24 Applicants
For the academic year 2023-24 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per year | £13,900 per year |
| Placement year | £1,850 per year | £2,780 |
For part-time study, please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk for further information.
Please also refer to the funding your time at university page.
Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan 2019/20.
Scholarships
The University offers a wide range of generous fee waivers and bursaries. To find out more about the these, please visit the bursaries, awards and scholarships page.
Ready to take the plunge? Apply now
Applications should be made by the UCAS deadline to ensure we are able to offer you a place on your first choice course. However, if you have missed the deadline please contact Admissions@rau.ac.uk as there are usually places available.
If you would like to apply during UCAS Extra or Clearing, please check that we have places available.
Applicants wishing to study on a course on a part-time basis will need to apply directly to the RAU.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk to discuss your requirements and obtain an application form.