A student standing in a field where a tractor is mowing hay

BSc (Hons)

Agriculture with Business

Drive the future of sustainable agriculture and agri-business and tackle global challenges head on with our innovative business degree.

Start date: September 2026
Location: Writtle
Duration: 4 years with placement
UCAS course code: D403

Start date: September 2026
Location: Writtle
Duration: 5 years with foundation and placement
UCAS course code: DF02

UK students have the option to study Year 1 of this course, either for one year full-time or two years part-time, to achieve a CertHE. You can also choose to combine a foundation year with the CertHE. Contact us to discuss what you can do, or choose your preferred option when you apply.

1st

in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.

Source: GOS 2025

Our BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Business degree offers a forward-thinking, holistic approach that prepares you to lead in the evolving agri-business world by combining practical science with commercial problem-solving. You’ll explore global challenges like food security, climate change and sustainability, gaining hands-on experience on our working farm, through real-world case studies and an embedded placement year. With expert teaching and industry connections, you’ll be ready for diverse and exciting careers in the agricultural business sector.

Why ARU?

Immerse yourself in authentic, enquiry-led learning using our 150-hectare estate and working mixed farm
Discover how technology, innovation and data can create sustainable farming systems that address climate change while ensuring food security
Boost your employability with a built-in industry placement year between Levels 5 and 6
Collaborate on real-world challenges through live briefs, research projects and industry events to shape tomorrow’s food systems
Gain confidence and leadership skills from multidisciplinary experts to drive change in global agriculture

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

My experience at Writtle has opened me up to realise there are a lot more jobs than working on a farm in agriculture, such as agronomy and land agency.

Emily Keeble, BSc (Hons) Agriculture

Studying this course equips you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the UK’s £28.2 billion food and beverage sector.

You'll develop expertise in agri-business management, supply chains, sustainability and consumer trends, alongside critical thinking, problem-solving and commercial awareness. These in-demand skills prepare you for roles in food quality, planning, buying, trading, and graduate schemes, while also giving you the confidence to explore business start-up opportunities.

What can you do with an Agriculture with Business degree?

Where have other Agriculture with Business graduates worked?

How can ARU help with my employability and career development?

Teaching and modules

From soil to strawberries, spring wheat to sheep, and everything in between, students explore a diverse range of topics that are essential for shaping the future of farming and addressing the challenges of tomorrow's food systems.

Harriet Wishart, Lecturer

Throughout your degree, you’ll be taught by a multi-disciplinary team with real-world industry experience.

From year one, you’ll dive into modules like ecosystems, biological processes and global business, building a strong foundation in both science and strategy. In year two, you’ll explore sustainable farming, animal production, fresh produce and consumer trends through workshops, case studies, and team projects. You’ll then apply your learning on an industry placement year and in your final year, you’ll undertake a major research project, developing skills for your future career in agriculture.

What will I study?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1

Into ARU
Ecosystems and Sustainable Development (30 credits)
Transforming Agriculture (Towards Net Zero) 15 credits
Biological Processes (15 credits)
Bio-Innovations for Land Use (15 credits)
Global Business Environment and International Strategy (30 credits)

Year 2

Sustainable Farming and Food Systems
High Welfare Animal Production (15 credits)
Research Methods (15 credits)
Farm Teams - Solutions (15 credits)
Fresh Produce Production (15 credits)
Understanding the Consumer (30 credits)
Ruskin Module (15 credits)

Year 3

Work Placement (120 credits)

Year 4

Dissertation (Agriculture) 30 credits
Business Consultancy Project (30 credits)
Strategic Management (15 credits)
Natural Resource Management (15 credits)
Global Business Environment and International Strategy (30 credits) *
Sustainable Global Business Management and Circular Economics (15 credits) *

Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1

Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
Into ARU

Module details

What happens on a foundation year?

What happens on a placement year?

How is this course assessed?

What equipment will I need?

Lecturers

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Ruvini Ranasingha
Lecturer in Commercial Production (Fresh Produce)
Henry Matthews
Senior Lecturer
Chungui Lu
Professor in Smart Agriculture

Facilities

Study agriculture at ARU in Writtle and:

experience our 150-hectare campus with its on-site mixed farm, with livestock and cropping enterprises
explore aspects of livestock and arable farming up-close
take part in practical sessions on the farm and in new, state-of-the-art laboratories and other agricultural facilities
learn laboratory techniques in our Lordship Science Centre

A day in the life of an agriculture student: take a guided tour

Extensive 150 hectare campus which is like an 'Open laboratory'
The Postharvest Unit, which undertakes research and trials with commercial companies
Numerous livestock on our field and farm
New state-of-the-art Superlab facilities on our Lordship campus
Get hands-on with the latest agricultural technology

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Entry requirements

UK students

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

See entry requirements for the BA or BSc (Hons)

International students

English language requirements

Contextual offers

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Fees and funding

UK students

£9,535 UK students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

If you start a course on or after 1 August 2023, you won't repay anything until you earn more than £25,000. This is called repayment Plan 5. At this point, you'll repay 9% on everything you earn over £25,000. After 40 years (from the April after graduation), all remaining debt is wiped.

If you started a course on or before 31 July 2023, you won't repay anything until you earn more than £27,295. This is called repayment Plan 2. At this point, you'll repay 9% on everything you earn over £27,295. After 30 years (from the April after graduation), all remaining debt is wiped.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,535 UK students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

£9,535 UK students starting 2026/27 (full-time, per year)

If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.

If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.

Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. Part-time students should be studying more than a quarter (25% intensity) of a full-time course each year.

You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.

For example for students who are on repayment Plan 5:

If you earn £25,500, you'll repay £45 a year or £3.75 a month
That's because £25,500 is £500 above the threshold, and 9% of £500 is £45.

What you repay depends on how much you earn after university. The more you earn, the more you pay back.

For more information about student loans, see our undergraduate student finance page.

This information also applies to:

Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.

International students

Placement year fee

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Agriculture with Business

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

CertHE

Careers

Teaching and modules

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

CertHE

Facilities

Entry requirements

BSc (Hons)

Important additional notes

With foundation year

Important additional notes

CertHE

International students

English language requirements

Fees and funding

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

CertHE

BSc (Hons)

With foundation year

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UK students

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