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Food Business Management and Marketing BSc Honours

  • UCAS code: ND61
  • Full time
  • 3 years

Through this programme you will gain a thorough academic grounding in the social, economic, ethical, scientific and technological principles underlying the production of and access to consumer goods and services within the agri-food sector.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2025


Next start date:

  • September 2025

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £30600

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: ABB
  • IB: 32 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This degree has a primary focus on the production and consumption of food products and on the behaviour of people as consumers. It covers a range of social and natural science and business subjects applied to food businesses.

Key topics covered are:

  • marketing and consumer behaviour
  • global economics
  • investigating agri-food systems from farm to folk 
  • agri-business management
  • food science and technology

If you’re interested in pursuing a managerial career in the food processing, retail and food service sector, this degree is for you. You'll also be well placed for a wide range of careers in the global food supply chain management sector, with a solid understanding of the complexity of the global food chain system.

You will study the principles of management, economics, marketing and finance, as they apply to the management of sustainable food businesses and the global food sector.

Graduates will have the necessary skills to analyse problems, propose and criticise alternative solutions relevant to food businesses and the agri-food sector.

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

Stage 1 provides a broad introduction to core areas of this sector, including business economics, Agri-Food business management, marketing and consumer behaviour, and nutrition, food science, and the food industry.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Introduction to Business Management 10
Sustainability in Practice 20
Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour 20
Introductory Business Economics 10
Introduction to Nutrition, Food Science and the Food Industry 20
Academic and Professional Skills 20
Introduction to Sustainability 20

During Stage 2, you'll be able to start tailoring your degree towards your specific interests or career goals, with a range of optional modules including, agricultural economics and policy, human resource management, social psychology, operations management and introduction to business law.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Marketing Strategy 20
Consumer and Business Economics 20
New Food Product Development 20
Dissertation and Research Preparation 10
Optional Modules Credits
Introduction to Non-Specialist Accounting and Finance 20
Human Resource Management 20
Operations Management 20
Introduction to Business Law 20
Current Trends in Agricultural Markets 10
Agricultural Economics and Policy 10
Qualitative Research Methods 10
Sustainable Business Practice 10
Sustainable Solutions 10
Food Science and Technology 20
Social Psychology 10

In Stage 3, you'll be required to produce a dissertation or complete a food innovation consultancy project, where you'll work in an interdisciplinary team on a real-world problem set by a food business. 

You'll also choose between options such as interpreting company accounts, consumer psychology, allergens and the food industry and developing enterprise, entrepreneurship and employability.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Data & Marketing Analytics 10
Food Business Economics 10
Marketing and Public Policy 10
Communication and Behaviour Change 10
Optional Modules Credits
Interpreting Company Accounts 20
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with Lean Innovation 20
Career Development for final year students 20
Sustainable Business Practice 10
Advanced Agri-Business Management 20
Agri-food Business Management and Marketing Dissertation 30
Food Innovation Consultancy 30
Allergens and the Food Industry 20
Consumer Psychology 20
To Cheat or not to Cheat: The Evolution of Cooperative Behaviour 10

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

On average, you'll have around 14 hours a week of contact time, including:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • workshops
  • guest speakers
  • field trips
  • drop-in surgeries 

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

  • Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Practical skills

Throughout the programme, you'll focus on applying principles to the real-world problems faced by the global food business sector.  

You'll develop a range of practical skills, including making managerial decisions, evaluating ethical standards, and carrying out data analysis. 

You'll also have access to our NU-Food facility, where you'll take part in sensory trials and have the opportunity to carry out your own. 

Business skills

Through business simulations, you'll work in an interdisciplinary team to manage a virtual company in a competitive environment 

During Stage 2, you'll complete a New Food Product Development module, working with an industry partner to develop a food or drink product, from conception to commercialisation. 

Our module in Sustainable Business Practice will equip you with the skills to compete in a global business environment, where the challenges of net-zero, ethical supply chain management, and sustainable resource use sit alongside more conventional business objectives.

You'll also be able to put your learning into practice with a placement year in industry.

Research skills

Research skills are developed throughout the degree. 

As part of the New Food Product Development module, you'll gather and analyse consumer research, showcasing your product at a pop-up shop. 

In your third year, you'll carry out an in-depth research project.

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.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be part of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences on our Newcastle city-centre campus.

You'll have access to modern laboratories equipped with industry-standard equipment. You'll also use NU-Food, our food and consumer research facility.

You can also use our computing facilities, including industry-standard software used in agriculture businesses, to help ensure you're career-ready.

Agriculture Building at Newcastle University.

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

This course equips you with the broad knowledge that comes with a management and marketing degree, as well as a niche set of skills specific to the food industry. 

Graduates from this course are well-equipped for management roles within the food processing, retail, and food service sector, as well as a wide range of careers within the global food supply chain management sector. 

The transferable analytic and problem-solving skills you will develop during your studies are sought after by a wide variety of employers around the world, opening up careers in finance, recruitment, management, marketing and communications, and consulting.

Industry links

Throughout your studies, you'll benefit from the University's strong links with key industry names.

Through a variety of industry visits, you'll develop a broad understanding of each part of the food chain and have the opportunity to make connections. 

You'll also have the opportunity to complete a work placement.

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
International Baccalaureate

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.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

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:

Open days and events

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

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