Two students crouched down in front of a row of cows in the Dairy Centre

Agricultural Business Management BSc

Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, UK

Course overview

Learn to apply core business concepts to one of the world’s most vital and fast-evolving sectors, agriculture, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and real-world impact.

At the University of Nottingham, we take an applied approach. You’ll utilise business principles such as economic valuation, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship to tackle global challenges in the agri-food sector - all while helping to build a more sustainable and resilient global food system. 

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers where agriculture, business, and sustainability intersect. Whether your ambition is to lead change in farming, influence agri-environmental and food policy, or build a more sustainable future, this degree gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a real impact.

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Regenerative Agriculture

Mandatory

Year 1

Academic Skills

Mandatory

Year 1

Agricultural Business in the Global Economy

Mandatory

Year 1

Environmental Science and Society

Mandatory

Year 1

Geographic Information Systems for Environmental monitoring

Mandatory

Year 1

Geographical Information Systems for Environmental Monitoring

Mandatory

Year 1

Principles of Ecology

Mandatory

Year 1

Sustainability in Agricultural Systems

Mandatory

Year 1

Sustainable agriculture, food and nutrition

Mandatory

Year 2

Economic Valuation for Sustainable Development

Mandatory

Year 2

AgriTech and Innovation

Mandatory

Year 2

Applied Marketing: Agriculture and Food

Mandatory

Year 2

Economic Analysis for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Mandatory

Year 2

Enterprise Management Challenge

Mandatory

Year 2

Practical Policy Making

Mandatory

Year 2

Research and Professional Skills

Optional

Year 2

Applied Animal Science

Optional

Year 2

Applied crop science

Optional

Year 2

Climate Change Science

Optional

Year 2

Ecosystem Processes

Optional

Year 2

Environmental Plant Physiology

Optional

Year 2

Plant pests and pathogens

Optional

Year 2

Principles of Animal Health and Disease

Optional

Year 2

Soils

Optional

Year 2

The Green Planet

Mandatory

Year 3

Undergraduate Research Project

Mandatory

Year 3

International Agri-Business

Mandatory

Year 3

Management Consultancy

Mandatory

Year 3

Rural Business Management

Optional

Year 3

Agronomy Field Course

Optional

Year 3

Applied Bioethics 1: Animals, Biotechnology and Society

Optional

Year 3

Current Issues in Crop Science

Optional

Year 3

Field Crops Cereals

Optional

Year 3

Livestock Production Science

Optional

Year 3

Sustainable Soil Management

Optional

Year 3

World Agroecosystems

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Thursday 22 May 2025. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Teaching takes place across Sutton Bonington and University Park campuses. The class size and timetable will vary by module, below are various formats of teaching: 

  • Computer labs 
  • Laboratory sessions 
  • Lectures 
  • Farm visits- university and external 
  • Seminars or Tutorials 
  • Workshops 
  • Problem-based learning 
  • Practical classes 

Modules will vary in terms of method and structure of assessment; you are provided with details per module on assessment.

You will receive a copy of the marking criteria which guides how we will assess your work for each module and element. Your work will be marked on time, and you will receive feedback. 

Your final degree classification will be based on marks gained in your second and third years of study. 

You must pass each year to progress. This typically means that you will need to achieve marks of at least 40% in each module.  

Examples of assessment methods include:

  • Group projects 
  • Lab Reports 
  • Presentations 
  • Research projects 
  • Written examination 
  • Business report 

Each year you will take 120 credits in modules. As a guide, one credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. You will spend around half of your time in lectures, seminars and practicals. The remaining time will be for independent study.

You will be provided with an academic tutor to support you in your studies, and you are encouraged to speak to your tutor or teaching staff if you require support or guidance.

Modules are timetabled and you will receive information on the location and details of the teaching at the beginning of each module.

As a guide, contact hours can be from 15-20 hours per week, dependent upon module choice and year of study. 

Overview

You'll graduate with a thorough understanding of business management principles and practices required for modern agriculture and agri-businesses. There are exciting and varied career options in the agricultural, rural or food sectors.

For example:

  • Food supply chain and retail 
  • Marketing and commodity trading 
  • Business management consultants 
  • Accountancy and finance 
  • Policy analysts and advisors 
  • Land agency 
  • Rural business management 
  • Management trainees for major companies 
  • PhDs and research positions in further education or private institutions 


Previous graduate roles include:

  • Compliance Advisor, Frontier Agriculture
  • Arable Reporter, Farmers Weekly
  • Marketing Finance Executive, BAT
  • Graduate Project Manager, CBRE

Average starting salary and career progression

Average starting salary and career progression

91.4% of biosciences graduates were in sustained employment or further study five years after graduation. These graduates earned a median salary of £32,100.* 

* LEO data from 2021/22 tax year, published in 2024.

Careers advice

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

University undergraduate student studying in Nightingale Hall accommodation's library, University Park

I chose this course at Nottingham as it balanced my passion for agricultural production with business and entrepreneurial aspects. The modules I’ve undertaken have been specifically tailored to rural and agricultural settings, whilst still being relevant and desirable to business and employers outside of agriculture enabling me to pursue a diverse range of career opportunities.  

Chloe Dunne

BSc Integrated Agricultural Business Management 2019

Open Day June 2022