BSc (Hons) Rural Land & Business Management
FAST-TRACK Bachelor's Degree
The programme is designed to fill a particular need in training rural property and business advisors who wish to qualify as Chartered Surveyors and Fellows of the Association of Agricultural Valuers.
This undergraduate course will run over two calendar years as an accelerated degree, getting you into employment faster and reducing the time to qualify and tutition costs. It will follow a block teaching module where students will attend campus one week in every four. The programme will draw on established practice in teaching professional skills, combining technical sessions focused on developing a sound theoretical grounding with practical exercises to enable learners to apply those skills effectively on behalf of clients. The content will reflect the demands and experiences of combining study with employment.
The demand for skilled professionals in this area has never been greater as the rural economy is forced to adjust to global challeges. Whilst 84% of the UK population live in an urban environment, 70% of the country is rural land use, whether for traditional uses including agriculture and forestry or modern technologies such as renewables. These assets are owned by a wide range of farmers, landed estates, traditional and financial institutions, utility and other companies, charities and the public sector. They all require management and technical advice delivered by rural practice professionals across an increasingly diverse range of activities.
The programme aims to provide learners with:
- A thorough knowledge and practical understanding of resource use and the industries key to the rural economy
- Strong technical skills in key disciplines, including valuation, law, finance, business appraisal and building construction
- Effective consultancy skills enabling them to identify and appraise issues on behalf of clients and deliver solutions to property and business challenges
- The skills to work towards personal, academic and career targets including achieving full membership of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and CAAV (Central Association of Agricultural Valuers)
Course details
| Dates & Location | September 2024 (subject to validation) |
|---|---|
| Duration | This programme is a full BSc (Hons) degree that can be completed in two years, rather than three years. You will study Level 4, 5 and 6 modules delivered over six terms on a hybrid learning basis. Students will attend campus 1 week with seminars, lectures, practicals and more - with the remaining 3 weeks delivered remotely with academic and industry supported study. |
| Costs | This is an accelerated BSc course over 2 years. For UK students, this results in a total cost of £21,600 compared to £27,750 for a 3 year course, saving £6,150. Fees per year:
|
Entry Requirements
Minimum of five GCSEs, including Maths and English Language at grade 4 or above plus satisfactory Level 3 qualifications.
We consider a range of Level 3 qualification with UCAS tariff points.
- A Level: three subjects (BCC) – minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points
- C&G Advanced Technical/BTEC: Level 3 Extended Diploma (1080) at DMM
- 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 overall
- Access to Higher Education: 104 Points (45 credits at level 3, of which 21 must be awarded at Distinction and 15 at Merit or higher.
We also consider alternative qualifications at Level 3, such as OCR Cambridge Technical, AQA Tech-Level, and a range of international qualifications at Level 3 equivalent.
Please note: This is a vocational degree and we would also consider applications from:
- those over 21 with relevant industry experience
- enthusiastic and committed students from other backgrounds; and
- students embarking on their career with property consultancies and sponsored by their employers
Facilities
Student Support
Higher Education students who have a learning difficulty, disability and/or ongoing health condition may be able to access reasonable adjustments to support their studies. Support is available to help students apply and access Disabled Student Allowance through either the Inclusive Learning and Development Department or the HE Office. One to one tutorial support is available through academic tutors.
The Library boasts a collection of over 8,000 books, covering a range of key subject areas within land-based curriculum. The Library also provides students with access to a variety of magazines, periodicals and academic journals through online databases.
Learning technology is central to the learning experience of students at Plumpton College and therefore is supported by dedicated staff within the College Teaching and Learning Team. The responsibilities of this team are to help support students with learning technology to enhance the overall learning experience.
Teaching
Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor.
Class sizes
Class sizes vary by module and all students will have opportunities for 1-to-1 time with their tutors.
Assessments
Assessment methods are largely based on case studies and analysis of real-life situations, reports of workplace practices and presentations of evaluations of sustainable strategies.
Modules
Term 1 & 2
- Introduction to the Rural Economy (15 credits)
- Introduction to Rural Property Law (15 credits)
- Valuation Principles and Practice (15 credits)
- Introduction to Farming Systems (15 credits)
- Building and Construction Management (15 credits)
- Geographic Information Systems (15 credits)
- Integrated Project 1 (30 credits)
Term 3 & 4
- Property Agency and Marketing (15 credits)
- National and Local Taxation (15 credits)
- Applied Valuation (15 credits)
- Infrastructure and Compulsory Purchase (15 credits)
- Sustainable Business Management (15 credits)
- Research Methods and Statistics (15 credits)
- Integrated Project 2 (30 credits)
Term 5 & 6
- Management of Environmental Resources (15 credits)
- Strategic Rural Asset Management (15 credits)
- Advanced Valuation (15 credits)
- Planning and Development (15 credits)
- Project Investment and Feasibility (15 credits)
- Business Planning and Performance (15 credits)
- Honours Project (30 credits)
