Course overview
Modules
Students will study a suite of modules over the two year duration of the course.
Term 1 & 2 (September to April)Level 4 modules:• Introduction to the Rural Economy (15 credits)• Rural Property Law (15 credits)• Valuation Principles and Practice (15 credits)• Introduction to Farming Systems (15 credits)• Building Construction and Management (15 credits)• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (15 credits)• Integrated Project 1 (30 credits)
Term 3 & 4 (May to November)Level 5 modules:• Applied Valuation (15 credits)• Property Agency and Marketing (15 credits)• Integrated Project 2 (30 credits)• Rural Property Taxation (15 credits)• Sustainable Business Management (15 credits)• Infrastructure and Compulsory Purchase (15 credits)• Research Methods and Statistics (15 credits)
Term 5 & 6 (December to July)
Level 6 modules:• Management of Environmental Resources (15 credits)• Strategic Rural Asset Management (15 credits)• Advanced Valuation (15 credits)• Rural Planning and Development (15 credits)• Project Investment and Feasibility (15 credits)• Business Planning and Performance (15 credits)• Honours Project (30 credits)
Modules and terms are indicative and subject to updates.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment on the Rural Land and Business Management programme is designed to reflect professional practice and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed in the rural sector. Students are assessed through a mixture of coursework, written examinations, practical presentations and integrated project work. Assessment tasks are designed to mirror real industry scenarios, support progression towards professional practice, and are scheduled across the programme to provide a balanced assessment load. Formative assessment and feedback are used throughout to support learning and preparation for summative assessment.
What is it like to be a student on this course?
Studying Rural Land and Business Management at Plumpton feels practical, professional and connected to the real rural sector. You develop academic knowledge alongside industry insight, field-based understanding and business awareness, in a setting shaped by land, enterprise and practice. It feels career-focused, supportive and closely linked to rural professions.
Industry links
This degree is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It benefits from close industry connections with firms including Batcheller Monkhouse, Fowler Fortescue, Fisher German, Savills, the National Trust, and others as active members of the Course Steering Group. The course is also endorsed by the CAAV. Local and national rural firms provide work experience or internships for trainee surveyors on the course. Plumpton hosts may conferences and seminars thorughout the year for firms such as Strutt and Parker and organisations like the CLA and students get to attend these events and hear first hand from those working in the industry.
Student testimonial
“I met Louis at an employer / potential student meet and greet at Plumpton in February 2026. Louis was applying to start the course in September 2026. As a result of our meeting, we offered Louis a position here at Fisher German in Ashford, and he will work and train with myself and colleagues alongside his studies at Plumpton, and in doing so he will be gaining an academic qualification and hours towards his APC and CPD diaries”
Catherine McKean, Fisher German, Ashford office
Progression routes
This accelerated degree is a strong launch pad into rural land and business management and a wide range of related land-based and professional careers. Because the course is accelerated and includes valuable work-related experience throughout, you graduate with both academic knowledge and practical industry insight and hands on experience in this sector.
Graduates progress into roles in rural practice surveying, often working towards the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to qualify as a Chartered Surveyor. Studying Land Management via this programme can shorten the time it takes to obtain your RICS professional qualifications. Some may also work towards qualification as a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) alongside their APC. During the course, students can benefit from student membership of RICS and CAAV, helping them build professional networks and sector awareness from the outset.
Start dates
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