MBA Food and Agriculture

Learning on the MBA focuses on problem solving; you will draw on your own work experience, and that of your peers as well as new learning from the modules to explore emerging challenges and to develop innovative solutions. You will question your own assumptions and develop new ways of thinking about your area of interest. We adopt a variety of teaching approaches which include case studies, group project work, seminar discussions, lectures and presentations, with an emphasis on the practical. You will learn from site visits and from our guest speakers. Directed learning tasks will enable you to prepare well for class and to take an active part in discussion. Modules will be assessed through a variety of methods including business reports, presentations, case study analysis, decision-making exercises and policy critiques, all of which are designed to blend management theory with professional practice.

In terms of workload, you should anticipate that the MBA is the equivalent of a full-time job. Part-time study over two years equates to approximately 50% of a full-time role. You will also find yourself occupied, should you choose to be, with the all the other opportunities that studying at the RAU offers, such as additional talks, student conferences and enterprise events.

Here at the RAU we are always looking for ways to better support our students. We recognise that a number of our students may be working or have caring responsibilities alongside studying which can sometimes make it difficult to attend every teaching session in person. As such we have the ability for you to join lectures and seminars through an alternative digital format in prior discussion with your programme leader. Please note that for international students on a student visa you are expected to attend your classes in person. Remote delivery is not an UKVI authorised mode of attendance for the taught element of your course and therefore non-attendance would affect your student visa.

Course structure

The course is studied full-time over a period of one year although you may also choose to study part-time over two or more years to fit around other commitments. The course is structured around nine core modules, including your choice of a dissertation project which enables you to conduct an intensive study of a particular area of interest to you. We provide supervisory support for your research project (Dissertation) and discussions with your supervisor are often rewarding and motivating. The range of business and food and agriculture modules offered on the MBA have been informed by the requirements of a Master’s in Business Administration and by industry dialogue so you can be sure that you will have every opportunity to develop the leadership skills and specialist knowledge needed to succeed in the food and agriculture sector.

Your future career

As a potential MBA student you may already be well-placed in your chosen career and wish to take this time to develop additional skills and knowledge to progress further within it. You may be taking a career break to re-think your future or planning to transition from your management role to a position in the food and agriculture sector. Whatever your career intentions, you can use your MBA Dissertation research to help you to achieve them, tailoring your research to suit your aims. Moreover the opportunities to engage in industry dialogue with our range of contacts and to learn from our enterprise team may prompt new career ideas.

If you are interested in studying this subject but cannot commit to the full MBA programme it is also possible to study for a Certificate or Diploma in the subject.

What is a Postgraduate Certificate?

The PGCert - or Postgraduate Certificate - is the shortest of our Masters level offerings, which is completed by studying four modules (60 credits). It allows you to study a specific area of the course in depth but takes less time to complete than the MBA or PGDip.

The PGCert is a great way of fitting postgraduate study around a busy life. Full-time students can complete the course in as little as one year. Part-time students can choose to spread the course up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal if you want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MBA with its attendant time and financial costs.

It can be a great way into a career in a new industry but if you desire to continue your studies, PGCert credits can be used to contribute towards a PGDip or even an MBA qualification later down the line. Completing studies using this route is often likened to building blocks – one step at a time – the first step being a PGCert.

What is a Postgraduate Diploma?

The PGDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is a Masters level course that sits between the PGCert and the full MBA. It allows you to study a subject in depth but without undertaking the Dissertation element. Consequently, it takes substantially less time to complete than the MBA, while still covering the same taught elements. To complete this qualification, you will take eight modules (120 credits).

Full-time students can complete the course in as little as two semesters (one year). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MBA with its attendant time and financial costs.

The PGDip can be a great way to boost your career, or enter a new industry. We recognise that life can be unpredictable so the PGDip is built to be as flexible as possible. Should you desire to continue your studies, PGDip credits can be used to contribute towards an MBA qualification later down the line. Conversely, if you need to cut your studies short for any reason, it is also possible to convert the PGDip to a PGCert after the completion of four modules.

*Please note that this type of study participation is only available to registered UK based students due to UKVI visa restrictions.

Modules

• 4038A Integrated Agricultural Systems: Explore complex systems including agroforestry, regenerative agriculture and vertical farming (15 credits)
• 4203 Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply: Examine how small scale farmers contribute to food systems on a national and global scale (15 credits)
• 4409B Facing Global Challenges in Food and Agriculture: Discuss challenges affecting food production, including the global population increase and the energy crisis (15 credits)
• 4413 Research skills: Develop research competencies related to data collection and analysis (15 credits)
• 4414 Dissertation: Undertake an independent research project with guidance from a supervisor (45 credits)
• 4763 Responsible Leadership and People Skills: Explore a range of perspectives on the study and development of leadership from an individual, team and organisational perspectives (15 credits)
• 4764 Sustainable Strategies for Business Excellence: Dynamically explore organisations, with a focus on UNSDGs, equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as employability, entrepreneurship, and enterprise education (15 credits)
• 4766 Financial Decision Making Skills: Develop a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the sources, uses and management of finance and the use of accounting and other information systems for planning, control, decision-making and managing financial risk (15 credits)
• 4769 Economics of Food Production: Understand how to allocate resources to maximise profit over time, subject to changing policy, legislation, climate and consumer preferences (30 credits)

* Optional additions to the course will incur additional charges

Disclaimer information

The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.

Opportunities include:

• Consultant in the food and agriculture sector
• Leadership role in international NGOs
• Corporate or government advisor
• Food and agriculture policy maker
• Advocate for food and agricultural transformation

Students will be expected to have:

• A minimum 2.2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a comparable international institution and a minimum of three years professional work experience at a management level (sector specific experience is not required)
• Students whose first language is not English must achieve a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no element below 5.5 or equivalent
• International students will also need to achieve IELTS Academic or equivalent at the appropriate level for your programme of study. English language requirements for international students.
• Mature applicants with lower qualifications but with extensive management experience may also be considered

2024-25 Applicants (including January 2025)

For the academic year 2024-25 the tuition fees for this course are:  

2025-26 Applicants

For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for this course are:  

Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan 2019/20.

For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.

Please note: International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Student Visa/Tier 4 General) that allows them to undertake part-time study and their visa does not expire prior to the end date of the proposed course of study.

Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your egibility.

Scholarships

The University offers a range of generous fee waivers and bursaries. To find out more about the scholarships, awards and bursaries available, please visit the scholarships webpage.