Sustainable Land and Business Management BSc Honours

Program Overview

The Sustainable Land and Business Management BSc Honours program at Newcastle University provides a comprehensive understanding of countryside management, integrating perspectives from geography, ecology, business, and estate management. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to tackle challenges in rural environments, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical experience through hands-on farm operations and field trips.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Sustainable Land and Business Management BSc Honours program at Newcastle University offers a multifaceted approach to countryside management. It examines the competing interests of rural environments from a variety of perspectives, integrating elements from geography, ecology, wildlife conservation, agriculture, business, and estate management.

Objectives:

• Equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse aspects of countryside management.
• Provide students with the ability to tackle current and future challenges faced by the countryside, such as environmental sustainability, economic development, and social equity.
• Foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate the complexities of managing rural environments.
• Cultivate a strong foundation in relevant scientific disciplines, including land management, ecology, wildlife conservation, agriculture, business, and legislation.
• Develop practical skills through hands-on experiences at the University's two farms and engaging field trips.

Program Description:

This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the countryside effectively and sustainably. They will learn about land management strategies, environmental and business management practices, sustainable agriculture, and rural development. The program also explores the legal and policy frameworks that govern countryside management.

Unique Features:

• City-center University with access to diverse countryside: Newcastle's location provides students with the opportunity to learn from academic experts and engage in hands-on experiences in various rural environments.
• Optional work placement: Students can gain professional experience through an optional placement year in industry or the commercial sector.
This allows them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
• Two University farms: Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm provide students with valuable practical experience in farm operations and rural management.
• Expertise of the Centre for Rural Economy: Students benefit from the research and expertise of this internationally recognized center, which specializes in interdisciplinary social science and applied policy research.

Structure:

This three-year program is divided into stages, with each stage focusing on specific areas of countryside management. Stages 1 and 2 cover foundational knowledge and skills, while Stage 3 focuses on specialized topics and independent research.

Schedule:

Students typically attend lectures, seminars, and practical sessions throughout the week. The program also includes field trips and work placements, which may require additional time commitments.

Modules:

The program offers a diverse range of modules covering various aspects of countryside management. These modules include:

• Stage 1: Introduction to Business Management, Agri-Food Supply Chains, Sustainability in Practice, Introductory Business Economics, Academic and Professional Skills, Introduction to Sustainability, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Plants, Environment, Agriculture, UK Wildlife.
• Stage 2: Law and Land Use, Landscape, Culture and Heritage, Site Management and Communication Skills, Qualitative Research Methods, Dissertation and Research Preparation, Sustainable Solutions, Introduction to Non-Specialist Accounting and Finance, Arable Crops, Farm Business Management, Marketing Strategy, Sustainable Business Practice, Ecosystem Ecology, Field Identification Skills, Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation.
• Stage 3: Countryside Management, Planning the Global Countryside, Dissertation, Sustainable Development and Environmental Valuation, Environmental Law, Career Development, Sustainable Business Practice, Applied Farm Business Management, Your Future, Marketing and Public Policy, Communication and Behaviour Change, Insight, Innovate, Impact, Biodiversity Science and Management, Current Research in Ecology.

Outline:

Content:

This program covers a wide range of topics related to countryside management, including:

• Land Management: Principles of land management, land use planning, agricultural practices, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation.
• Ecology and Wildlife Conservation: Ecology of different ecosystems, wildlife management techniques, conservation biology, biodiversity protection.
• Environmental Management: Environmental impact assessment, pollution control, waste management, sustainable development.
• Business Management and Economics: Business principles, marketing, finance, accounting, economics of rural development.
• Rural Development and Law: Rural policy, community development, legislation governing land use and environmental protection.

Structure:

The program is divided into three stages, with each stage progressively building upon the knowledge and skills acquired in the previous stage.

Stage 1:

Foundational knowledge and skills, introduction to key concepts and principles.

Stage 2:

Specialized topics, in-depth exploration of specific areas of countryside management.

Stage 3:

Independent research and project work, application of knowledge and skills to real-world challenges.

Course Schedule:

A typical week may include lectures, seminars, practical sessions, field trips, and independent study.

Modules:

Stage 1:

• Introduction to Business Management
• Agri-Food Supply Chains
• Sustainability in Practice
• Introductory Business Economics
• Academic and Professional Skills
• Introduction to Sustainability
• Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour
• Plants, Environment, Agriculture
• UK Wildlife

Stage 2:

• Law and Land Use
• Landscape, Culture and Heritage
• Site Management and Communication Skills
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Dissertation and Research Preparation
• Sustainable Solutions
• Introduction to Non-Specialist Accounting and Finance
• Arable Crops
• Farm Business Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Sustainable Business Practice
• Ecosystem Ecology
• Field Identification Skills
• Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation

Stage 3:

• Countryside Management
• Planning the Global Countryside
• Dissertation
• Sustainable Development and Environmental Valuation
• Environmental Law
• Career Development
• Sustainable Business Practice
• Applied Farm Business Management
• Your Future
• Marketing and Public Policy
• Communication and Behaviour Change
• Insight, Innovate, Impact
• Biodiversity Science and Management
• Current Research in Ecology

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

• Written Exams: Used to assess theoretical knowledge and understanding of key concepts.
• Coursework: Includes essays, reports, presentations, and field-based projects.
• Dissertation: A substantial research project on a chosen topic, demonstrating independent research skills and critical thinking.
• Examinations: May include practical exams or online assessments.

Home students Full time: 3 years Tuition fees (per year) £9,250 International students Full time: 3 years Tuition fees (per year) £28,700