Agriculture with Farm Business Management BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised. Please contact our friendly advisers to find out if you’re eligible for a place. You can get in touch through our hotlines: 

• For domestic students please call us on 0800 073 5050
• If you’re an International student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2025.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2025. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

Search our courses in Clearing

Course overview

Our farm business management degree equips you with the specialist knowledge and skills to enter a range of professions in this complex, high tech and rapidly changing sector.

Our degree combines elements of science with a focus on practice, business acumen, research and policy.

You are taught alongside students on the agriculture and agri-business management degrees. You have a choice of optional multi-disciplinary modules. These enable you to pursue your interests to align with your strengths, passion and future aspirations.

You can progress to managing and developing your own farm enterprises or important roles within the supply chain and consultancy sector.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

You'll study crop health, animal health, agri-supply chains, agri-business economics and sustainability.

We’ll also introduce you to lab work and IT applications. You’ll use these skills to apply statistical techniques to understand and capitalise on information from agricultural data.

Your visits to our commercial farms with their cutting edge field trials and research enable you to apply and extend your knowledge.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Crop Health	10
Introduction to Business Management	10
Agri-Food Supply Chains	10
Animal Health	10
Sustainability in Practice	20
Introductory Business Economics	10
Academic and Professional Skills	20
Introduction to Sustainability	20
Plants, Environment, Agriculture	10

Apply your knowledge to animal and crop husbandry and farm management. We’ll study animal breeding, arable crop production and agricultural markets.

A consultancy style 'Dragon's Den pitch' type module is an exciting group project where commercial sponsors pose a sustainability challenges for a team of multidisciplinary students to devise solutions.

We’ll continue to visit farms and other enterprises, so you can put your learning into practice.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Arable Crops	10
Farm Business Management	10
Principles of Agronomy and Crop Improvement	10
Animal Feed Science and Technology	10
Domestic Animal Reproduction and Genetic Improvement	10
Sustainable animal production systems	20
Agricultural Economics and Policy	10
Global Agri-Food Supply Chains	10
Dissertation and Research Preparation	10
Soil and Ecosystem Science	10
Sustainable Solutions	10

You will explore management techniques used for decision-making in agricultural businesses. Your core modules will develop your skills in farm planning, land law, budgeting and accounting.

You’ll also produce a dissertation on a farm business management topic of your choice. Projects and case studies will form a major component of your management modules. There are workshops and demonstrations of software used in planning and control.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Law and Land Use	10
Farm Business Consultancy	20
Applied Farm Business Management	20
Dissertation	30

Optional Modules	Credits
Career Development for final year students	20
Qualitative Research Methods	10
Crops	20
Applied Crop Protection	10
Agronomy Field Course	10
Animal Science Conference - Current Issues and Debates	20
Reproduction in Farm and Companion Animals	10
Your Future - occupational awareness	10
Animal Welfare and Behaviour	20
Agritech & Precision Farming	10
Countryside Management	20
Planning the Global Countryside	20
Sustainable Development and Environmental Valuation	10

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2024-25.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

In our teaching, we’ll use a variety of different methods, including:

• lectures
• laboratory practicals
• farm and industry visits
• project work
• reports
• consultancy challenges
• expert guest speakers
• virtual learning environment

In your lectures, seminars and laboratory practicals, you’ll learn about the science and theories behind agriculture and business practices.

We’ll visit the University farms and other local farming businesses. These help you apply your knowledge and understand a range of alternative approaches and practices under different business, policy and environmental conditions.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

Academic and practical skills will be gained through modules. Further opportunities exist in areas of personal interest.

Our farm scheme is a way to gain practical experience in our many commercial enterprises and research platforms. This spans resilient and regenerative farming; novel crops and inputs; high welfare and precision practices; robotics and automation; digital and molecular ‘smart surveillance’ for biodiversity, soil, crop, emissions and livestock monitoring; and agri-food system governance and safety.

Our travel fund allows students to apply to attend events of personal interest. These include networking or policy insights at the Institute for Agricultural Management Conference or Northern Farming Conference.

Business skills

Between stages 2 and 3, you can do an optional work placement. This is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience.

If you don't want to do a work placement, you can explore a different country with our Study Abroad Scheme.

Research skills

Agriculture is uniquely positioned to produce food and energy while building natural capital and holds many solutions to global challenges posed by climate change.

Research at Newcastle University is working to find solutions to world problems.

Our 18 experimental farm ‘platforms’ focus on strategically important topics. These include designing production practices to build natural capital and maximise soil, crop and ecosystem services, and sustainable grazing management and in-field phenotyping of arable and biomass crops. Many of these platforms are of national and international importance. For example, our Hydrologically Isolated Plots and Palace Leas Hay Meadow. You will learn about these projects and develop the skills to undertake your own research project.

Recent student dissertations include:

• Using Field Maps to Optimise the Selection and Placement of Environmental Management Options
• Diversification options and analysis for a home farm
• How can vertical farming overcome its high energy costs whilst increasing outputs to become a viable sustainable solution for food production
• Could integrating livestock revitalize arable farming?
• Monitoring of Potato Blight Using UAVs and Machine Learning
• Alternative fuel sources for tractors in a carbon zero production systemAlternative packaging materials for use with potatoes

Opportunities

Study abroad

Gain a global perspective, enhance your academic profile and open doors to exciting new experiences by studying abroad for one semester or a full academic year at one of our partner universities overseas. Study abroad usually takes place in stage 3 of your studies and extends your degree by one year.

You'll have the choice to study at a leading international university, including:

• Monash University
• University of Hong Kong
• University of Pittsburgh

You can also opt for short-term global opportunities like summer schools, virtual exchanges or internships that usually take place over the summer months.

Work placement

During your degree you can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on a professional industrial placement, in the UK or abroad. Your work placement is a great opportunity to gain practical experience, acquire key business skills and make industry contacts. You’ll get University support from our dedicated team. Work placements usually take place between Stages 2 and 3 and extend your degree by a year.

Recent Agriculture and Animal Science industrial placements include:

• Agricultural Graduate Sales Trainee with Davidsons Animal Feeds
• Agronomist at Marks and Spencers
• Ruminant Technical Adviser at Carr's Billington
• Placement student at OSI Food Solutions UK
• Placement student at For Farmers
• Placement student at Oaklands Farm Eggs Ltd

Facilities and environment

Facilities

The Agriculture Building is the home of Agriculture and Animal Science, based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and located on our vibrant, city-centre campus.  Here some of our state-of-the-art facilities include laboratories, plant growth incubators and vertical farming units.

During your studies, you'll have access to Newcastle University Farms. NU Farms encompasses mixed animal, arable and biomass operations, with a commercial dairy and beef herd and a planned bed-and-breakfast pig enterprise. The farms are used for commercial, teaching and research purposes where you develop skills relating to data gathering and analysis, soil sampling, animal and plant health, pests and weed identification. At NU Farms we promote innovation to shape policy and support scientific research. We have extensive collaborations including:

• UK Agri-Tech Centre with on-site facilities 
• Fera Science (Fera)
• Institute of Agri-Food and Rural Innovation (IAFRI)
• Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF)

With a focus on sustainability, input from industry and research-driven teaching led by top academics we will prepare you for a successful career in agriculture, animal science and related fields.

We have extensive links with other farms, businesses and animal enterprises to broaden and deepen your understanding.

Animal Science students will also be interested in the high tech gait lab; our laboratories for dissections, microscope work etc and the UK's first our mobile dog behaviour research pod.

Support

We take your health and wellbeing seriously and are committed to supporting you throughout your studies so you can fulfil your potential at university. This support includes:

• your degree welcome event where, in small groups, you get to know those on your course
• a personal tutor who is an academic member of staff who can help you with academic and personal issues throughout your degree
• a peer mentor scheme which pairs you with a current student from your course to help you navigate your first year at university
• a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works
• support, treatment and guidance on mental and physical health from our wellbeing team

Your future

As a Newcastle University agriculture graduate, you will be held in high regard in the industry and have many career options open to you.

Many of our graduates have found employment in prestigious national and multinational companies such as:

• Velcourt
• Sentry Farming
• Bidwells
• Andersons
• Strutt and Parker
• Agrovista
• Syngenta

Sustainable solutions

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The Sustainable Solutions module at Newcastle University offers you the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals on projects that address real-world sustainability challenges. This hands-on experience enhances your problem-solving skills and prepares you for successful careers in sustainability-focused roles.

You'll have many opportunities to interact with industry through:

• guest speakers
• visits
• industry networking events
• opportunities to attend conferences

Careers support

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2026-2027

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) Not set
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (Year 1) Not set

Home Fee Students

Home students starting in 2025 entry

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course. £9,535 is the maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students for the academic year 2025-26. This is set by the UK government. This fee has not yet been confirmed for 2026-27.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages