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Rural Resource Management
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Why Study Rural Resource Management ?
Working in the rural sector now requires a balance of both environmental and business priorities. With human activities now having dramatic effects on the environment, it is necessary to act to reduce those effects and achieve development that is sustainable. This is reflected in the amount of environmentally driven legislation. This means that there is a requirement for people trained to manage businesses or develop policies, who are also aware of environmental issues and impacts, and how to minimise or reduce those impacts.
The Rural Resource Management course aims to develop student’s understanding across a range of disciplines, focusing broadly on the environment, economics, and business management. Throughout the course, the drivers, impacts and results from different environmental issues are taught, including pollution, climate change, and rural land uses. Resource management to reduce environmental impacts is taught alongside economic principles and business techniques, allowing students to develop skills to operate in the modern business environment. The core subjects studied can be supplemented by elective options in areas of interest to individual students.
This course can be studied full-time of part-time. The latter option allows students to maintain a mix of study and work or family commitments, whilst progressing towards a qualification. In addition, the first year of the course (HNC) can be taken as a distance learning course. Study in this option is mainly through online and self-study, supplemented with three study weekends through the year.
A course leaflet can be downloaded from the right of this page.
About The Course
Rural Resource Management is a wide ranging course that covers both the environmental sector and the economic, business and policy sectors. Studies cover a range of environmental issues and impacts relevant to the rural sector, including impacts caused by different land uses and other human activities. However, the course also covers the knowledge and techniques required to manage the rural environment in a more sustainable manner, the economic background to resource or environmental valuation, as well as teaching appropriate business management skills. The course therefore covers a range of business, social science, science and geography subjects.
Students can select from a variety of optional studies, for example in areas such as focusing on specific environmental issues, habitat management and ecology or renewable energy.
The course has close links with the environmental and business sectors, and students benefit from visits to a range of sites and establishments illustrating important environmental issues and/or sustainable business management. These visits, combined with specialist guest speakers and lecturers, ensure that students keep up to date with the latest developments in the sectors.
The course normally comprises one year of full-time study for HNC Countryside and Environmental Management, two years for HND Rural Resource Management, three years for BSc Rural Resource Management and four years for BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management.
Students may enrol for the degree from first year (depending on qualifications) or may progress through to the degree through the HNC and HND qualifications. For all students, the first year consists of the HNC year common to all our environmental degrees. In the second year, the HND Rural Resource Management is followed, however, students with any environmental HND can enter the third year of the Rural Resource Management degree. Students completing the degree year can then proceed to the honours year, graduating with BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management.
Flexible progression routes mean that direct entry into years 2 or 3 of the degree for students with appropriate higher national or other qualifications is welcomed.
Awards Available
Click on a course title for further details
BSc/BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management
Study In Edinburgh: SAC S01 F810 Z BSc/RRM
Length Of Course
The BSc general degree takes 3 years full-time. The Honours degree takes 4 years. The course can also be studied part-time.Validating University
The BSc/BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management degree is awarded by the University of Edinburgh.Minimum Entry Requirements
3 Highers (BCC) or 2 A-Levels (CC).
A range of subjects are suitable for entry including: Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Managing Environmental Resources, Economics and Sociology.
Progression Routes
Advanced entry into Year 3 may be possible for those with a related HND qualification.HND Rural Resource Management
Study In Edinburgh: SAC S01 018F Z HND/RRM
Length Of Course
The HND takes 2 years full-time. Part-time study is also possible.Minimum Entry Requirements
2 Highers (CC) or 1 A-Level pass.
A range of subjects are suitable for entry including: Geography, Chemistry, Biology, Managing Environmental Resources, Economics and Sociology.
Progression Routes
Completion of the HND Rural Resource Management allows progression into Year 3 of a range of SAC's degree courses: BSc/BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management, Environmental Protection, Sustainable Environmental Management, and Countryside Management.HNC Countryside and Environmental Management by Flexible Learning
UCAS Codes
Study In Aberdeen: Apply direct to SAC
Study In Ayr: Apply direct to SAC
Study In Edinburgh: Apply direct to SAC
Length Of Course
The HNC takes 2 years to study by flexible learning. Study is mainly at home, and there's a weekend study school once a term.
The HNC Countryside and Environmental Management runs with a choice of two specialist streams - Countryside Management or Environmental Management.
Minimum Entry Requirements
2 Highers (CC) or 1 A Level pass. Entry also with an Access to Science qualification. Relevant experience will also be considered.Progression Routes
Those completing the HNC can progress into Year 2 of the following courses:
From the Countryside Management stream: BSc/HND Countryside Management, BSc Environmental Protection, BSc Sustainable Environmental Management
From the Environmental Management stream: BSc/HND Rural Resource Management, BSc Environmental Protection, BSc Sustainable Environmental Management, HND Environmental Management and Sustainability.
HNC Countryside and Environmental Management
UCAS Codes
Study In Aberdeen: SAC SO1 057F X HNC/CEM
Study In Ayr: SAC SO1 057F Y HNC/CEM
Study In Edinburgh: SAC SO1 057F Z HNC/CEM
Length Of Course
The HNC takes 1 year full-time. Part-time study is possible. The HNC can be studied part-time on campus or by flexible learning.
The HNC Countryside and Environmental Management runs with a choice of two specialist streams - Countryside Management or Environmental Management. The Environmental Management stream runs at all campuses, the Countryside Management stream runs at the Ayr and Aberdeen campuses.
Minimum Entry Requirements
2 Highers (CC) or 1 A Level pass. Entry also with an Access to Science qualification. Relevant experience will also be considered.Progression Routes
Those completing the HNC can progress into Year 2 of the following courses:
From the Countryside Management stream: BSc/HND Countryside Management, BSc Environmental Protection, BSc Sustainable Environmental Management
From the Environmental Management stream: BSc/HND Rural Resource Management, BSc Environmental Protection, BSc Sustainable Environmental Management, HND Environmental Management and Sustainability.
Course Content
Further information is available in SAC's undergraduate prospectus and in our course leaflet, which can be downloaded from this page. Please contact us for further information.
The course is delivered using a mixture of lectures, site and fieldwork visits, laboratory classes, computing sessions, tutorials, seminars and group discussions. Modules are assessed using a combination of techniques, including written assessments (reports, essays, reviews), tests and exams, and seminars or group work.
Year 1:
The first year provides a foundation in the environment and sustainability in general, as well as in business, biology, human impacts, geography and associated sciences. A broad range of topics are covered, including environmental awareness, waste and pollution, planning and land use, business management, ecology and biodiversity. Basic academic and core skills are also developed. Elective choices include transportation studies and soil management.
Year 2:
The second year builds on topics introduced in first year, in areas such as waste and pollution control, the application of the sciences to addressing environmental issues, and economic issues in resource management. Skills required to run rural businesses are developed, as well as issues of rural development, business diversification, and tourism. Elective choices may include topics such as ecological surveying, marine and freshwater management, renewable energy systems, land reclamation, and education.
Year 3:
The third year provides more advanced theoretical and applied training. Management and economic analysis skills are developed further, with rural development a key component. Case studies provide a context for understanding these advanced principles and techniques in action, whilst essential background is provided by knowledge of the planning system and EIA requirements. Generic skills in research and data handling are taught to all students. There are a wide range of elective options, including addressing pollution issues (control mechanisms and monitoring/analysis), ecology and habitat management, management plan development, education, and tourism.
Year 4:
This year focuses on an Honours Project, where the students choose a topic from a selection offered, or develop their own topic. Other subjects studied include advanced issues in sustainable management and in environmental policy analysis, and current environmental issues. Additional electives available include waste and recycling, biodiversity conservation, environmental modelling and risk assessment, tourism, marine ecology, and rural sociology.
Career Opportunities
Employment pathways for degree graduates include:
- Land Agent
- Agricultural assessor
- National Park Officer
- Waste and Recycling Officer
- Farm manager
Some graduates have continued their studies at postgraduate level by taking up one of a wide range of MSc or PhD opportunities that are available to them.
Please refer to the external weblinks for one of the many environmental jobs sites, for more information on current careers opportunities.
Course Contacts
Edinburgh Course Contact
Dr Alistair HamiltonProgramme and Team Leader
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work King's Buildings, West Mains Road
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4417
Send Email
Edinburgh Campus General Contact
Miss Claire MorrisonStudent Recruitment Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work King's Buildings, West Mains Road
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4391
Send Email
Student Experiences
Ewen Scott completed his HND in Countryside Management at SAC Aberdeen and after a three year break, decided to continue his studies at SAC Edinburgh, joining the third year of the Rural Resource Management degree in September 2005.
“During my final two years at SAC the course covered a wide range of topics, all with good coverage of rural business and economic planning. Study also involved many field visits which were all very relevant to our studies. During the fourth year, I attended a Biodiversity Conference in Perth. This was extremely useful and enabled us to make contacts with various organizations and individuals, which were helpful with our dissertations and future careers.
I achieved my Honours degree in 2007, after completing my dissertation in Red Deer Management. I am now studying for an MSc in Land Economy, and intend to work in estate management. My time at SAC was most enjoyable, and built a confidence within me that was not just academic-based, but one which will enable me to look forward to my future career in whatever industry I enter”.