BSc (Hons) Agricultural Business Management

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 Monday to Friday. 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

In the first year, you will focus on the fundamentals of business management, marketing and finance.

• 4B001 Practical Business Finance and Accounts
• 4M002 Professional, Practical and Study Skills
• 4B002 Introduction to Business and Management
• 4A005 Farming Systems and Sustainability: This module examines diverse farming systems including arable, livestock, mixed, organic, regenerative, and agroecological approaches. Topics include climate change, soil and water management, urban agriculture, and future farming scenarios. Students engage with farm visits, guest speakers, and case studies. Assessment includes a 10-minute recorded presentation and a 2500-word case study-based report. The module supports critical evaluation of sustainability challenges, system transitions, and agroecological practices across global and UK agricultural contexts.
• 4B003 Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship and Enterprise
• 4B004 Business Informatics

Year two

• 5M001 Industry Engagement
• 5B001 Marketing Management
• 5B005 People and Organisations
• 5W007 Global Development and Environmental Sustainability: This module examines the intersection of global development and environmental sustainability. Topics include climate change, resource management, environmental justice, and sustainable economies. Students engage with case studies and policy frameworks. Assessment includes a 1000-word academic poster and a 3000-word scientific report. The module supports critical evaluation of development models, sustainability strategies, and global equity across diverse contexts.
• 5B003 Financial management
• 5M002 Research and Evidence
• 5A009 Alternative Cropping Systems: This module explores the role of alternative crops in sustainable agriculture. Topics include cover crops, pulses, perennial grains, tropical staples, and industrial crops. Students engage with case studies, field visits, and farmer-led innovations. Assessment includes a 1-page infographic and a 2000-word resilient cropping plan. The module supports critical evaluation of crop-specific strategies, agroecological principles, and climate-resilient farming systems.

Year three

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.​

• 6B001 Changing Consumer Behaviour
• 6B004 Organisations in a Changing World
• 6M001 Research Project: This module enables students to undertake an independent research project aligned with their subject area. Topics are student-selected and supported through supervisor meetings and workshops. Assessment includes a 5-minute progress presentation and a 12,000-word thesis or multimedia portfolio. The module supports critical evaluation, ethical research design, and evidence-based recommendations for real-world challenges

Plus a choice of TWO electives, one selected from each group from those shown below:

Group 1

• 6A004 Farm Business Consultancy: This module explores strategic consultancy for small and medium-sized farm businesses. Topics include financial analysis, investment appraisal, taxation, and feasibility planning. Students engage with case studies and industry practices. Assessment includes a 1500-word accounts analysis and a 2000-word strategic consultancy report. The module supports critical evaluation of farm performance, financial planning, and advisory techniques for sustainable business development.
• 6B006 Rural Entrepreneurship
• 6L005 Rural Land and Business Management

Group 2

• 6W001 Countryside and Environmental Management: This module addresses contemporary countryside issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and rural development. Students explore policy, land management strategies, and sustainability through field visits and case studies. Assessment includes a 1500-word grant application, a presentation of a countryside improvement plan, and a 7-day timed assessment. The module develops applied knowledge and strategic thinking for environmental management careers.
• 6A002 Agri-Food Systems and Policies: This module examines food systems through systems thinking and the One Health framework. Topics include food security, policy development, economics, and regenerative agriculture. Students engage with debates, case studies, and guest speakers. Assessment includes a 1000-word academic poster and a 2500-word literature review. The module supports critical evaluation of global food policy, health interconnections, and sustainable system design.
• 6B007 Corporate Finance

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.

• Business development manager
• Facility operations manager
• Agricultural consultant
• Commodity trader
• Agricultural marketing
• Agricultural operation specialist

"I did a placement in events at a shooting ground, EJ Churchill, which benefitted me hugely. I made some great contacts and learnt lots."

Tom Bonner, Graduate

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 (applicants should have either three A-levels or two A-level and two AS level subjects 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

2026-27 Applicants

For the academic year 2026-27 the tuition fees for this course are: 

*Tuition fee level for 2025-26. Tuition fees for home undergraduate students in 2026-27 will be confirmed by the Government later in 2025 and will be updated on our website as soon as the information becomes available.

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 and are subject to Government and regulatory body conditions.

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.