BSc (Hons) Business Management with Professional Placement Year Bachelor's degree at The Royal Agricultural University
BSc (Hons) Business Management with Professional Placement Year at RAU is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and recognised as a nationally valid UK degree.
About this course
Businesses around the world are experiencing a rapidly changing economic climate to which they must adapt in order to grow and stay competitive. This programme has been developed in conjunction with key employers, ensuring there is a key focus on employability skills throughout the programme. You will develop a range o From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Business Management with Professional Placement Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at RAU, based in Main Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Business and management graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Business & Management, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Practical Business Finance and Accounts
Module details
This module introduces students to financial principles and tools essential for rural and agri-business management. Topics include financial statements, budgeting, cashflow, investment appraisal, and risk analysis. Students develop analytical and communication skills through practical applications.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 2000-word problem sheet and a 2000-word professional practice report.
- Professional, Practical and Study Skills
Module details
This module develops academic, employability, and practical skills for success in university and land-based careers. It includes reflective writing, data handling, digital literacy, and hands-on tasks relevant to the sector. Students explore sustainability, industry challenges, and professional development.
Assessment: Assessment includes a skills portfolio, a 1000-word reflective account, and a group presentation on a sustainability challenge.
- Introduction to Business and Management
Module details
This module explores internal and external factors shaping business organisations. Topics include marketing, HR, operations, leadership, and change management, with emphasis on sustainability and digital transformation. Students analyse case studies and develop teamwork and communication skills.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 1000-word essay, a 2000-word case study, and a group presentation.
- Farming Systems and Sustainability
Module details
This module examines diverse farming systems including arable, livestock, mixed, organic, regenerative, and agroecological approaches. Topics include climate change, soil and water management, urban agriculture, and future farming scenarios. Students engage with farm visits, guest speakers, and case studies.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 10-minute recorded presentation and a 2500-word case study-based report.
- Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship and Enterprise
Module details
This module investigates entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial approaches to innovation and business development. Students explore opportunity identification, business modelling, and leadership strategies.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 10-minute audio-visual media presentation (50%) and a 3000-word group professional practice report (50%).
- Business Informatics
Module details
This module introduces statistical techniques and information systems for business analytics. Topics include data visualisation, probability, spreadsheet modelling, and ethical data use. Students develop technical skills in Excel and data interpretation.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 1500-word spreadsheet skills exercise and a 2500-word data analysis report.
Year two 7 modules
- Industry Engagement
Module details
This module provides students with a structured industry placement to develop professional, technical, and reflective skills in a real-world context. Students complete a minimum of 444 hours of work-based learning aligned to their career goals.
Assessment: Assessment includes a CV and personal statement (500 words) and a reflective portfolio (1000 words).
- Marketing Management
Module details
This module guides students through strategic marketing planning, market analysis, and decision-making. Topics include global trends, consumer behaviour, competitor evaluation, and ethical marketing. Students apply frameworks to real-world business scenarios.
Assessment: Assessment includes two 2000-word professional practice reports focused on analysis and decision-making.
- People and Organisations
Module details
This module explores organisational behaviour through topics such as leadership, motivation, personality, and culture. Students engage with case studies, role-play, and business visits to apply theory in practice.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 15-minute group presentation, a 2000-word case study, and a written exam.
- International Business
Module details
This module explores globalisation, trade theories, and internationalisation strategies. Students analyse cultural, political, and economic environments affecting global business.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 3000-word report (80%) and a 30-minute multiple-choice test (20%).
- Financial management
Module details
This module introduces financial principles and decision-making tools for business success. Topics include financial statements, capital budgeting, working capital, and financial planning. Students apply theory to real-world scenarios and analyse companies using ratio analysis.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 15-minute individual presentation and a 3000-word essay.
- Research and Evidence
Module details
This module develops students' ability to design and justify research proposals using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Topics include study design, data analysis, ethics, and communication of findings. Students engage with real-world problems and explore research applications across disciplines.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 2500-word research proposal and a 2-hour online test.
- Business Strategy for Competitive Advantage
Module details
This module examines how organisations develop and implement strategies to achieve long-term success. Students apply frameworks such as PESTEL, Porter's Five Forces, and Ansoff's Matrix to analyse competitive environments.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 1200-word essay (30%) and a 2800-word professional practice report (70%).
Year three 1 modules
- Professional Placement Year
Module details
This module enables students to undertake a 9–12-month work placement to gain practical experience and enhance career readiness. Students engage in planning, professional practice, critical reflection, and career development.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 3000-word reflective portfolio with embedded case studies and a pass/fail professional skills evaluation by the placement supervisor.
Year four 9 modules
- Strategic Management
Module details
This module explores strategic management theories and their application in dynamic business environments. Students engage with tools such as scenario analysis, strategic foresight, and business model innovation.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 1500-word scenario analysis report (40%) and a 2500-word business model development report (60%).
- Managing Innovation
Module details
This module equips students with the skills to manage innovation at strategic and operational levels. Through case studies and interactive projects, students explore frameworks, creativity, and the role of technology in driving innovation.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 15-minute individual presentation (30%) and a 3000-word essay analysing innovation in selected businesses (70%).
- Research Project
Module details
This module enables students to undertake an independent research project aligned with their subject area. Topics are student-selected and supported through supervisor meetings and workshops.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 5-minute progress presentation and a 12,000-word thesis or multimedia portfolio.
- Organisations in a Changing WorldOptional
Module details
This module examines organisational structures, leadership, ethics, and decision-making through interdisciplinary lenses. Students explore management theories and apply them to real-world organisational challenges. Topics include diversity, communication, power dynamics, and organisational change.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 30-minute group presentation (individually marked) and a 3000-word professional practice report.
- Rural Land and Business managementOptional
Module details
This module explores agricultural tenancy law and rural estate business management. Topics include the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, valuation methods, succession planning, and diversification strategies. Students engage with case studies and site visits to apply legal and strategic knowledge.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 1200-word problem sheet, a 2-hour written exam, and a 1600-word professional practice report.
- Business Communications and Negotiation SkillsOptional
Module details
This module develops advanced communication and negotiation skills for professional and personal contexts. Students explore rhetorical techniques, intercultural communication, and persuasive strategies. Topics include non-verbal cues, apologies, conflict resolution, and motivational interviewing.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 1000-word written self-reflection and a 10-minute pre-recorded audio-visual presentation.
- Changing Consumer BehaviourOptional
Module details
This module explores how individuals and societies consume, and how behaviour can be influenced toward sustainability. Drawing on psychology, sociology, anthropology, and consumer culture, students critically assess marketing strategies and behavioural interventions. Topics include ethical consumerism, identity, technology, and globalisation.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 1600-word annotated bibliography and a 2400-word essay.
- Rural EntrepreneurshipOptional
Module details
This module develops the skills needed to launch sustainable rural ventures. Students explore idea generation, business modelling, market analysis, financial planning, and ethical considerations. A study tour and guest lectures provide real-world insight.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 10-minute recorded pitch presentation and a 3000-word business plan.
- Corporate FinanceOptional
Module details
This module provides a comprehensive foundation in corporate finance. Topics include capital budgeting, risk and return, portfolio theory, mergers and acquisitions, and sustainable investment. Students analyse real-world financial decisions and market strategies.
Assessment: Assessment includes a 15-minute individual presentation and a 3000-word essay.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This programme emphasises employability skills throughout, developed in collaboration with key employers to keep pace with a rapidly changing economic climate. You'll usually begin with foundations in management and organisations, marketing principles, and business economics with data skills. Year 2 typically moves to operations and supply chain management, organisational behaviour and human resource management, and strategy. In Year 3, you'll choose specialist options such as entrepreneurship, international business, digital business, consulting, marketing, or people and HR, before undertaking a capstone project or consultancy brief with a real client. A placement year is integrated into your four-year study, giving you practical experience within a business environment and enhancing your professional development.
Who it's for
This course suits students interested in business careers who want both theoretical grounding and hands-on professional experience. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among accepted students was 96–111 points. You'll benefit from the placement year if you're keen to test your knowledge in industry, build professional networks and develop practical skills before graduating. The course is taught in English and delivered full-time over four years.
Careers & job market
Across Business & Management courses nationally, 87% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 60% in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. National earnings data shows starting salaries of £24,000–£32,000 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £26,350–£37,200 after five years. These figures reflect the broader graduate outcomes landscape rather than university-specific guarantees. The professional placement year is designed to enhance your transition into employment and help you build experience valued by employers.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) is delivered full-time over 4 years at The Royal Agricultural University, a public university founded in 1842, on its main campus. Teaching is in English. The degree is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and is a recognised UK degree-awarding body. It has received a Silver rating for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
contextual offer. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Professional placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code N502). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at RAU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Business & Management graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £27,000 | £25,000 – £29,000 | 25 |
| 3 years after | £25,000 | £20,500 – £33,000 | 60 |
| 5 years after | £32,500 | £26,500 – £41,000 | 65 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate / AnalystOn a scheme or first role · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / ManagerOwning an area, marketing, finance, ops · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / Head ofLeading a function and a team · 5–10 yrs
- 4Director / FounderRunning a business unit or your own company · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Business & Management nationally
National figures for Business & Management graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Business & Management courses at the same study level.
Compared with 3,421 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 40% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 30; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Business & Management graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine reporting and data pulls
- First-draft decks and copy
- Standard forecasts and reconciliations
- Scheduling and admin workflows
More human than ever
- Strategy and judgement under uncertainty
- Leading, negotiating and selling
- Sense-checking and owning what AI produces
- Relationships with clients and teams
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Business & Management graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Consultancies
- Corporate graduate schemes
- Retail & FMCG
- Startups & scale-ups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Business & Management graduates.
Business Director, Marketing ScienceXcedeBusiness ManagerLGPS CentralBusiness Change ManagerIGA Talent SolutionsBusiness Case ManagerPeregrineBusiness DirectorMedialab GroupBusiness Rates SurveyorW TalentIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.2 out of 10: NSS 77.4% · in work or study 85% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Royal Agricultural University
Business and management across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Is Business & Management right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to RAU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £16,950 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check RAU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with RAU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at RAU
BSc (Hons) Agricultural Business Management with Foundation YearBSc (Hons) · RAUBSc (Hons) Agricultural Business Management with Professional Placement YearBSc (Hons) · RAUBSc (Hons) Agricultural Business ManagementBSc (Hons) · RAUBSc (Hons) Bloodstock and Equine Performance Management with Foundation YearBSc (Hons) · RAUBusiness & Management at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BSc (Hons) Business Management with Professional Placement Year
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.