Program Overview

Sustainable Land and Business Management BSc Honours

Overview

This degree explores countryside management from a wide variety of perspectives, to equip students with a balanced overview of the competing interests on the countryside. The program integrates elements from a range of subjects such as geography, business and estate management, ecology, law, agriculture, economics, and wildlife conservation and management.

Quality and Ranking

• Global Top 140 University - QS World University Rankings 2026
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 42% of research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Professional Accreditation and Recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and Learning

The program is divided into stages, each lasting one academic year. Students complete modules totaling 120 credits by the end of each stage.

Stage 1

• Introduction to Business Management
• Agri-Food Supply Chains
• Sustainability in Practice
• Introductory Business Economics
• Academic and Professional Skills
• Introduction to Sustainability
• Plants, Environment, Agriculture
• Optional modules:
  • Mapping the Earth: Location and Space
  • Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour

Stage 2

• Law and Land Use
• Landscape, Culture and Heritage
• Site Management Planning
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Dissertation and Research Preparation
• Sustainable Solutions
• Optional modules:
  • Introduction to Non-Specialist Accounting and Finance
  • Arable Crops
  • Farm Business Management
  • Sustainable animal production systems
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Global Agri-Food Supply Chains
  • Soil and Ecosystem Science
  • Field Identification Skills
  • Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation

Stage 3

• Countryside Management
• Planning the Global Countryside
• Dissertation
• Sustainable Development and Environmental Valuation
• Optional modules:
  • Interpreting Company Accounts
  • Environmental Law
  • Career Development for final year students
  • Global Agri-Food Supply Chains
  • Applied Farm Business Management
  • Your Future - occupational awareness
  • Global Food Policy
  • Agrifood Communication and Behaviour Change
  • Insight, Innovate, Impact
  • Biodiversity Science and Management
  • Current Research in Ecology

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods include:

• Scheduled learning and teaching activities
• Structured guided learning

Assessment methods include:

• Assignments
• Dissertation or research project
• Essays
• Examinations
• Group work
• Practical sessions
• Presentations
• Projects

Opportunities

• Study abroad for one semester or a full academic year at a partner university overseas
• Work placement in the industry or commercial sector for 9 to 12 months
• Access to two commercial farms for hands-on experience
• Industry networking events and guest speakers

Facilities and Environment

• The Agriculture Building is the home of the agri-food business and land management degrees
• State-of-the-art facilities, including a test kitchen and the award-winning Centre for Rural Economy
• Access to two commercial farms, Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm

Your Future

Graduates have found jobs in a range of sectors, including national parks, public bodies, UK wildlife groups, surveyors, and land agents. Career paths include:

• Chartered surveyors
• Rights of way officers
• Members of local conservation teams
• Agricultural and environmental consultants
• Environmental engineers
• National Park rangers
• Sustainability officers/advisors
• Countryside officers
• Estate managers
• Environmental educators

Entry Requirements

• A-Level: ABB
• IB: 32 points with Mathematics or Mathematical Studies grade 4 at Standard Level if not offered at Higher Level
• GCSE Mathematics grade C or 4 required

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

• Home students: Tuition fees (Year 1) Not Set
• International students: Tuition fees (Year 1) £31,500
• Scholarships available for EU and international students

Admissions Policy

The University's admissions policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. It is intended to provide information about admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow students to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience into credits towards a qualification. The University's RPL policy may apply to this course.