BSc (Hons) Applied Farm Management
Develop a career within the agricultural and land-based industries with a degree that develops the farmers, farm managers and consultants of the future. The range of production systems adopted and commercially practised on our farms, and local farm businesses, will provide you with invaluable insight into the current realities of commercial farming.
Course overview
You will cover topics such as crop and livestock production, agricultural commodity trading and marketing, business finance, and agricultural policy and legislation.
With industry experience you will bridge the gap between the laboratory, the field, the commercial market and the farm. You will gain unparalleled access to on-farm/applied product development with Farm491 and benefit from research trials at nearby farms. No wonder our graduates have gone on to work for high-profile organisations such as Procam Agriculture, Velcourt, Keenan Systems and Dalcour Maclaren.
Work placement
In the second year, you will apply your learning on a 15-week work placement. If you wish to undertake an extended period of work placement there is the option to complete a year in the workplace. Not only could you find yourself working for prestigious companies in the UK or across the world, you will develop your confidence and gain industry contacts for when you graduate.
Course content
Students also have access to the University’s Farm491 facility, an innovative agritech business incubator providing facilities and support to agritech businesses and promoting technology and innovation within the sector.
Modules are assessed through a range of coursework, including real-life case studies, presentations and reports. The Research Project is an integral part of the course. Completed in your third year, it provides the opportunity to research in-depth a subject of specific interest.
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 shown below. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Year one
- 1005 Livestock Science
- 1006 Crop Production Science
- 1007 Soil and Environmental Science
- 1033 Business Finance
- 1052 Crop Production 1
- 1054 Introduction to Food Production
- 1400 Developing Academic Skills
Year two
- 2020 Farm Business Management
- 2226 Agricultural Policy and Legislation
- 2267 Introduction to Research Skills
- 2314 Farm Mechanisation
- 2315 Agricultural Commodity Trading and Marketing
- 2316 Personal and Professional Development Skills
- 2317 Industry Placement
Plus a choice of ONE elective selected from:
- 2236 Crop Production 2
Year three
- 3006 Emerging Agri-food Issues
- 3094 Integrated Farm Project
- 3205 MIS for Farm Businesses
- 3210 Applied Agricultural Finance
- 3300 Research Project / Dissertation
Plus a choice of TWO electives selected from:
- 3020 Advanced Crop Production
- 3034 Marketing Communication
- 3041 Corporate Finance
- 3081 Consumer Behaviour
- 3090 Forestry & Woodland Management
- 3092 Countryside & Environmental Management
- 3097 Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply
- 3237 Agricultural Technology
- 3238 Advances in Livestock Nutrition
- 3239 Crop Health and Protection
- 3240 Contemporary Media Studies
- 3207 Farming and Integrated Environmental Local Delivery
- 3325 Rural Entrepreneurship
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
- Farm manager
- Agronomist
- Nutritionist
- Geneticist/breeding specialist
- Agricultural journalist
- Research consultant/advisor
“The lecturers are all very helpful when it comes to helping wiht research or going over coursework on a one-to-one basis. If you're interested in farm management as a career or are wanting to know more about how an agricultural business runs then you will thoroughly enjoy this course.”
Alexander Neason, Graduate
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 BCC) – minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points across three A-Levels or equivalent qualifications – recommended one science subject
- C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC - Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) at Distinction-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 21 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)
- A period of relevant practical experience is also highly recommended
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 course, 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 |
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.
If you are an Irish national you can check if you meet the requirements for Home Fees. Please visit the UKCISA website and consult the pdf guide “England HE – who pays Home Fees”. First check category ‘3 years in Republic of Ireland/UK/Islands, settled in UK’ or ‘Brexit temporary offer for courses starting before 2028: Irish citizens with residence in Europe or overseas territories’. You will possibly need to be fee assessed when you submit an application for study to the RAU.
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.