Agri-Business Management BSc Honours
- UCAS code: N280
- Full time
- 3 years
This course will prepare you for an exciting career managing businesses involved in taking products through the supply chain, from farms to global markets.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2025
Next start date:
- September 2025
Fees (per year)
- Home: £9250
- International: £30600
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
This is an applied course where you will learn about the management of businesses operating from the farm gate to consumer plates. Along with business management skills, you will learn and be able to reflect on the key challenges of securing a sustainable food supply for this and future generations.
The agri-food chain is one of the world's largest industries. It involves the delivery of products from farms to worldwide markets.
Key topics covered in this course are:
- food economics and management of agri-food businesses
- food policy and its implications for businesses and consumers
- gathering evidence through data analysis to support sound decision
- agriculture and food production and distribution
- consumer studies and marketing management
This degree could lead to work in a range of international business sectors, such as food markets and marketing, retail management, and business consultancy.
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 2024-25.
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
In your first year, you will study foundation modules providing a comprehensive introduction to topics such as marketing and consumer behaviour, agri-food business management, sustainability, and economics.
Modules
During your second year, you'll cover more complex topics, including agricultural economics and policy, marketing strategy, and agricultural markets. You'll also be able to choose from several optional modules.
Modules
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Current Trends in Agricultural Markets | 10 |
Marketing Strategy | 20 |
Agricultural Economics and Policy | 10 |
Qualitative Research Methods | 10 |
Sustainable Business Practice | 10 |
Dissertation and Research Preparation | 10 |
Sustainable Solutions | 10 |
Optional Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Interpreting Company Accounts | 20 |
Human Resource Management | 20 |
Introduction to Business Law | 20 |
Arable Crops | 10 |
Farm Business Management | 10 |
Sustainable animal production systems | 20 |
Consumer and Business Economics | 20 |
New Food Product Development | 20 |
Social Psychology | 10 |
By your final year you will be studying advanced topics that have been designed to prepare you for your future career. As well as core modules such as food economics and marketing metrics, you'll be able to choose from specialist areas including applied animal nutrition, consumer psychology, and food innovation consultancy.
Modules
Compulsory Modules
- NES3103 Advanced Agri-Business Management (20 credits)
- NES3106 Data & Marketing Analytics (10 credits)
- NES3107 Food Business Economics (10 credits)
You must take one of the following modules:
OR
- NES3113 Food Innovation Consultancy (30 credits)
Modules
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 2023-24.
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
On average you will have around 14 contact hours a week. You'll learn through lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
There will also be field trips, so you can see how your learning applies in a practical context.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
-
Case studies
-
Coursework
-
Dissertation or research project
-
Essays
-
Examinations – practical or online
-
Group work
-
Projects
Skills and experience
Practical skills
Your learning will be reinforced with practical experience and facilities, including:
- two university farms, located just a short distance from our campus
- well-equipped business and teaching labs
- visits to companies representing each part of the food supply chain
Business skills
You'll help solve a real-world problem for an external organisation. You'll do this during your Sustainable Solutions module and work in an interdisciplinary team.
In one of the optional modules, New Food Product Development, you'll create a food or drink product. You'll work with an industry partner from conception to commercialisation.
Our Sustainable Business Practice module will give you the skills to compete in a global business environment. You'll learn to balance conventional business objectives with challenges in:
- net-zero
- ethical supply chain management
- sustainable resource use
In your final year, you’ll use a business simulation to manage a virtual company in a competitive environment.
You can also put your learning into practice with an optional placement year.
Research skills
During your final year, you'll complete a dissertation or food innovation consultancy project. Both require advanced research.
Opportunities
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.
If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.
Find out more about study abroad
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. Placements are subject to availability.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
Agriculture is based in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at our city-centre campus. During your studies, you'll have access to two commercial farms near Newcastle.
Our University farms, Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm, will give you an insight into how real-world farms operate, so you're prepared for your future. Our farms are used for research, teaching and demonstration.
You'll have the opportunity to access modern laboratories equipped with industry-standard equipment. You'll also use NU-Food, our food and consumer research facility.
You'll be able to use our computing facilities, including computers running industry-standard software used in agriculture businesses, to help ensure you're career-ready.
Support
You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
There's also a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works.
Your future
With a degree in Agri-Business Management, you will have the opportunity to embark on a dynamic, rewarding career in the public or private sector.
Having gained specialist knowledge and skills, as well as transferable business skills, you'll be prepared for roles in the food and retailing sector, as well as the land-based and business sectors.
Industry links
Established over 100 years ago, our department has strong links with industry leaders, including companies such as JR Holland, Asda, and Blagdon Estate.
You'll benefit from site visits, industry experts, and networking and professional development opportunities.
Enterprising students
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Careers support
Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.
Our award-winning 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
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2025 entry.
A-Level | |
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International Baccalaureate | |
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Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications
Contextual Offers
Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed.
Qualification: BSc Honours | |
---|---|
Home students full time 3 years |
Tuition fees (per year)
9250 |
International students full time 3 years |
Tuition fees (per year)
30600 |
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.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
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You'll be able to:
- explore our beautiful campus
- find out about our vibrant city
- discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually.
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How to apply
Apply through UCAS
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- 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.
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