BA (Hons) Rural Business Management Top-Up Degree

This course aims to give you a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of business management as it applies to the agricultural and rural industries.

Locations: Ayr, Barony
Study mode: Full-time
Subject Area: Business
Department: Agriculture and Business Management
Start Date: September 2021
Additional Info: You can enter the top-up degree course with a related HND or equivalent and study years 3 and 4 of our degree programme, graduating with an Honours degree.

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Course overview

This course aims to provide you with a thorough knowledge of the fundamental concepts of business management as it applies to the agricultural and rural industries.

Your academic study is underpinned by practical work on real-life case studies, business plans, study tours, industry placements and professional practice. By the end of the course you'll have a firm grasp of your chosen industry.

You'll enter the top-up degree course with a related HND or equivalent and study years 3 and 4 of our degree programme, graduating with an Honours degree.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited Rural Surveying pathway, allows you to take a specified group of modules which will enable them to pursue a career as a Chartered Rural Surveyor.

The Rural Business Management BA/BA (Hons) degree is awarded by the University of Glasgow.

What you'll learn

You'll study business skills like marketing, management strategy, research skills and economics, and learn how to apply them in context. You'll also complete modules relating directly to the rural industries.

Case studies, business plans, study tours, industry placements and professional experience give you the chance to put your learning into practice.

In your fourth year you'll undertake a research project drawing together everything you've learned.

You can also follow the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors accredited pathway, which delivers a group of modules that could lead to a career as a Chartered Rural Surveyor.

Student experience

Christina first studied HND Business with a local college. As a mature student and a parent to young children, when Christina was looking to continue her studies her local SRUC campus was the obvious choice.

"It’s a great team atmosphere. Staff are very supportive, encouraging and always there to answer any questions you may have. I made firm friendships that will last a lifetime. I loved meeting new people and also going on some fantastic field trips to highlight aspects of our course."

"My degree has helped me greatly - project management, data analysis, presentation skills, Scottish law and marketing."

Christina MacDonald

Meet the lecturer

Bill Mackay

Programme Team Leader

Before his career in education Bill worked in management within the private sector. Now he's responsible for operational leadership of the Rural Business Management Programme in our South and West campuses.

He produces and delivers modules from 1st year through to Masters on subjects including Management theory, Finance and Business Planning.

Bill is also External examiner for Duchy College, Cornwall and is developing materials for the University of Edinburgh MSc in Poultry.

View Bill's Pure profile

Craig Davidson

Masters of Science in Agriculture Education

Craig is a former student of Agriculture at our Aberdeen campus. He absolutely loved living on the estate and having the farms, woodland, and all the amenities at his fingertips.

Now based in the Edinburgh Kings Buildings, Craig lectures across our agriculture courses. He’s passionate about interactive, hands-on teaching and loves showing people with little agriculture background where food comes from as well as busting the many myths surrounding agriculture and food production.

View Craig's Pure profile

Dr Alex Hilton

Alex has been at SRUC for over 17 years and worked as both a researcher and teacher.

When teaching, his main interest is crop-related subjects. However, Alex also makes use of his research background by teaching research skills and supervising a number of honours and MSc projects.

One of Alex’s favourite roles is coordinating the BSc Honours projects at Aberdeen. The students look at so many different things and he enjoys seeing them develop their interest in a specific topic, as well as finding answers to problems facing the industry.

Fees and funding

Eligible full-time students studying BA/BA (Hons) Rural Business Management should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees and funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: There are a number of bursaries available to care-experienced students studying full time. Find out more from our student funding teams at: registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Discretionary fund
- SAAS student bursary
- Care Experienced Accommodation Grant
- Childcare
- Going further bursary
- RUK bursary (for students from outside Scotland)
- The Gregor Thomas Royan Lamb Bursary for Future Farmers
- Centenary bursary
- Change your path bursary

BA (Hons) Rural Business Management Top-Up Degree

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Find out more about studying at SRUC

Find out about funding and fees, coming to visit our campuses and where you can find our full prospectus.

Fees and funding

Funding is available to help you complete your studies, including bursaries to pay your tuition fees and loans to help with maintenance and travel costs.

Fees and funding

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Although our campuses are currently closed, you can still find out about life and learning at SRUC by joining one of our virtual open days.

Open days and events

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