Rural Business Management BA/BA (Hons)

BA/BA (HONS) RURAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Course Guide www.sruc.ac.uk/business

Course Guide

INTRODUCTION

Are you interested in studying business but want to do something a little bit different?

Do you want access to a variety of graduate careers where you can make a real contribution to the rural economy?

Then Rural Business Management is the course for you!

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Course Guide

Rural Business Management is a discipline that incorporates skills to produce well-rounded graduates with specialised knowledge of the rural sector.

The course gives you an opportunity to specialise in agriculture, surveying, or tourism. Completing this course will equip you with knowledge typical of any business degree, with the added benefit of harnessing these skills towards the rural economy.

The Rural Business Management degree is offered by SRUC in partnership with RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). RICS is the globally recognised professional body that regulates professionals across the natural and built environment. This collaborative initiative combines SRUC’s expertise in agriculture, land management, and rural industries with RICS’s renowned reputation in professional standards and accreditation of surveyors.

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Course Guide

The programme offers a unique opportunity for students to engage with the intricacies of rural economies and develop a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by rural businesses. A business degree that is accredited by RICS offers significant benefits to students wishing to pursue a career in surveying as, on obtaining a graduate traineeship, are able to qualify as a chartered surveyor in 2 rather than the usual 5 years.

“So far my favourite subject is Rural Tourism. I am looking forward to visiting different organisations to see how they operate with the resources they have.”

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Course Guide

KEY FACTS

BA / BA (Hons) RURAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Progression courses: • HNC/HND Rural Business Management or HNC/HND Business Management ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 4 Highers at BBCC/3 A-Levels at BCC. Applicants should be able to satisfy basic literacy and numeracy requirements.

Entry into Year 2 or 3 is possible with an appropriate HNC/D, foundation degree, or similar qualification.

STUDY MODES This course is available full-time and part-time.

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Course Guide

WHERE CAN I STUDY? Please visit the Course Catalogue on our website for full details: www.sruc.ac.uk/courses

“It has allowed me to develop knowledge and key skills that I can utilise within the ‘real life business environment’ and my career in the future.” www.sruc.ac.uk/business

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Course Guide

WHAT’S THE COURSE LIKE?

This course gives students the skills and awareness required to work in a variety of business settings, from local independent farm shops to multinational agri-businesses.

The first two years of the degree you will study the fundamentals of business management. Year three is when you can start to specialise. Years one and two will be akin to any business course in the country, while year three is where the course really drives home the rural aspect. In the final year, students undertake an honours project of their own choosing to bring together the skills that have been developed over the years.

Visiting guest speakers from industry are widely used to provide the latest insight into agri-business.

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Course Guide

STUDY VISITS

Study visits form an integral part of our courses and help students see how theories discussed in class are put into practice in real life situations. Visits range from distilleries to farm shops and multinational enterprises.

STUDY TOURS Study tours are longer trips away from the campus, enabling students to explore wider aspects of Rural Businesses, sometimes in other parts of the world.

Recent destinations have included France and America.

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Course Guide

COURSE STRUCTURE

YEARS 1 AND 2 • 15 modules per year, spread over 3 x 10-week terms • Assessment methods are typically in-class assessments and coursework YEARS 3 AND 4 • 8 credits per year spread over 2 x 14-week semesters • Assessment methods are a mix of coursework and exams • 4th year includes the Honours projects which is worth 3 credits BLENDED DELIVERY Our courses are taught with some modules inperson on campus, with others online where appropriate. As Rural Business Management is taught at multiple SRUC campuses there are occasions where the most appropriate module lecturer is based at a different campus and will deliver their lectures virtually.

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Course Guide

COURSE CONTENT

YEAR 1 Year 1 introduces the various subjects necessary to effectively manage a business, focussing on marketing, economics, management, IT and finance. Although you may have previous experience of these areas, no prior knowledge is assumed.

MODULES INCLUDE: • IT Applications Software 1 • Developing Skills for Personal Effectiveness • Financial Records for Small Business • Human Resource Management: An Introduction • Economic Issues: An Introduction • Marketing: An Introduction • Creating a Culture of Customer Care • Business Management: An Introduction • Rural Land Use in Scotland • Rural Business: Graded Unit 1

The wide range of modules available to study allows you to tailor the degree to your interests. www.sruc.ac.uk/business

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Course Guide

YEAR 2 Year 2 develops your competence in IT skills and furthers the basics learned in year one of the programme, giving you a solid platform with which to delve into your third and fourth year.

MODULES INCLUDE: • Work Experience • Internet E Commerce: Theory & Practice • Supervision and Management • Business Law: An Introduction • IT Applications Software 2 • Using Financial Accounting Statements • Planning, Budgeting and Control • Economics 1: Micro and Macro Theory and Application • Marketing Planning Process • Data Collection and Handling Methods • Rural Business: Graded Unit 2 • Rural Business: Graded Unit 3

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Course Guide

SRUC VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE DELVE DEEPER INTO LIFE AT SRUC Would you like to find out more about our courses straight from the people who matter most – the students and the lecturers?

We’ve created a Virtual Experience platform where you can find great videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours. www.sruc.ac.uk/experience

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Course Guide

YEAR 3 Year 3 allows you to focus in depth on the subjects in years one and two and the emphasis is much more on application of theory, to prepare you for working in a business environment.

COMPULSORY MODULES: • Research Skills & Data Analysis • Management Skills & Entrepreneurship • Economic Policy and Analysis • Management Strategies • Marketing Management • Industrial Management Placement

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Course Guide

OPTIONAL MODULES: • Advanced Case Studies • Rural Development • Livestock Production Technology • Crop Products and Potential • The UK Agri Food Industries • Animal Growth and Development • Animal Welfare and Behaviour • Horse Business Management • Rural Planning and Environmental Impact Assessment • Rural Surveying and Land Use • Multi-Purpose Woodland Management • Free choice of any currently approved 3rd or 4th year module from any SRUC programme (timetable allowing)

Modules studied in third and fourth year will ensure you have the skills relevant to the workplace. www.sruc.ac.uk/business

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Course Guide

YEAR 4 Year 4 brings together everything that you have learned previously and encourages you to work independently. You will apply everything that you have learned to a subject of your choice through the Honours dissertation.

COMPULSORY MODULES: • Professional Practice and Law • Advanced Financial Management & Taxation • Business Marketing • Honours Project

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Course Guide

OPTIONAL MODULES: • Topical Issues • Food & Agri Business • Economy Policy • Land based Environmental Issues • Animal Growth and Development • Advanced Agronomy • Advanced Animal Nutrition • Equestrian Tourism • Agricultural and Estate Valuations • Rural Planning and Land Law • Free choice of any currently approved 3rd or 4th year module from any SRUC programme (timetable allowing)

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www.sruc.ac.uk/business