Rural Business Management (Top Up Degree)

Course Overview
The course covers the fundamentals of business management:
Finance, Marketing, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, HR, Economics, Research Skills, Motivation and Leadership and puts them in a vocational rural context extensively supported by field trips.

The course has an experiential ethos and especially suits candidates with an active learning preference. There are many visits to real businesses where students enjoy activities and benefit from listening to owners and managers. The course is supported by guest speakers and students have the opportunity to attend prestigious conferences. Student work is routinely entered for national business competitions and our Rural Business Management students have reached finals [and won prizes] for the past 12 years in succession.

The course benefits from a close relationship with the Scottish Institute of Enterprise and the Institute of Agricultural Managers. The Scottish Institute of Enterprise awards extra certificates to candidates upon completion of innovation modules taught as part of the course and the Institute of Agricultural Managers offers free student membership and access to events and employment opportunities.

The aim of the course is to support Scotland’s natural economy; however, this is wide field which leads to many rewarding opportunities.

Assessment Methods

The RBM degree course uses a range of assessment methods from examinations and essays to work based learning with integrated practical tasks and role play activities.

The mix of assessment on the RBM programme enhances the overall quality of the SRUC student experience and links to the graduate attributes: Academically Competent; Critical Thinkers; Desire for Learning and Personal Development; Responsible Members of Society and Employability.

Modules

In 3rd year students have to take 8 modules. Some modules are core and others are elective choices. All modules benefit from guest speakers and/or industry visits and attendance at conferences

The 3rd year core modules are
- Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

- Product Development and Branding

- Management Strategies

- Economic Policy and Analysis

- Research Skills and Data Analysis

- Advanced Case Studies

Students choose two modules from 4 elective choices
- Tourism in Rural Areas within the UK

- Active Tourism

- Multi Purpose Woodland Management

- Equine Business Management

The elective choices reflect the Ayr Campus specialist expertise in tourism and the vital importance of tourism and rural diversification to the Scottish economy.

The 4th year core modules are:
- Advanced Financial Management and Taxation

- International Marketing

- Professional Practice and Law

- Honours Project [3 credits]*

Elective choices include:
- Contemporary Issues in International Rural Tourism

- Topical Issues

- Wild card choice

*Honours Project
This module takes the form of a research project to encourage the development of investigative skills and to enable the critical evaluation and presentation of information. The focus is on in-depth, well-researched applied information with original insights.