Food Business Management and Marketing BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised; contacting our friendly advisers is the best way to find out if you’re eligible for a place.

You can get in touch through live chat or our hotlines. Call us on 0800 073 5050, or if you’re an international student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000.

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2024.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2024. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

Search our courses in Clearing

Course overview

This degree has a primary focus on the production and consumption of food products and on the behaviour of people as consumers. It covers a range of social and natural science and business subjects applied to food businesses.

Key topics covered are:

• marketing and consumer behaviour
• global economics
• investigating agri-food systems from farm to folk 
• agri-business management
• food science and technology

If you’re interested in pursuing a managerial career in the food processing, retail and food service sector, this degree is for you. You'll also be well placed for a wide range of careers in the global food supply chain management sector, with a solid understanding of the complexity of the global food chain system.

You will study the principles of management, economics, marketing and finance, as they apply to the management of sustainable food businesses and the global food sector.

Graduates will have the necessary skills to analyse problems, propose and criticise alternative solutions relevant to food businesses and the agri-food sector.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

Stage 1 provides a broad introduction to core areas of this sector, including business economics, Agri-Food business management, marketing and consumer behaviour, and nutrition, food science, and the food industry.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Introduction to Business Management	10
Sustainability in Practice	20
Introduction to Marketing and Consumer Behaviour	20
Introductory Business Economics	10
Introduction to Nutrition, Food Science and the Food Industry	20
Academic and Professional Skills	20
Introduction to Sustainability	20

During Stage 2, you'll be able to start tailoring your degree towards your specific interests or career goals, with a range of optional modules including, agricultural economics and policy, human resource management, social psychology, operations management and introduction to business law.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Marketing Strategy	20
Consumer and Business Economics	20
New Food Product Development	20
Dissertation and Research Preparation	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Introduction to Non-Specialist Accounting and Finance	20
Human Resource Management	20
Operations Management	20
Introduction to Business Law	20
Current Trends in Agricultural Markets	10
Agricultural Economics and Policy	10
Qualitative Research Methods	10
Sustainable Business Practice	10
Sustainable Solutions	10
Food Science and Technology	20
Social Psychology	10

In Stage 3, you'll be required to produce a dissertation or complete a food innovation consultancy project, where you'll work in an interdisciplinary team on a real-world problem set by a food business. 

You'll also choose between options such as interpreting company accounts, consumer psychology, allergens and the food industry and developing enterprise, entrepreneurship and employability.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Data & Marketing Analytics	10
Food Business Economics	10
Marketing and Public Policy	10
Communication and Behaviour Change	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Interpreting Company Accounts	20
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship with Lean Innovation	20
Career Development for final year students	20
Sustainable Business Practice	10
Advanced Agri-Business Management	20
Agri-food Business Management and Marketing Dissertation	30
Food Innovation Consultancy	30
Allergens and the Food Industry	20
Consumer Psychology	20
To Cheat or not to Cheat: The Evolution of Cooperative Behaviour	10

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2023-24.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

On average, you'll have around 14 hours a week of contact time, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• workshops
• guest speakers
• field trips
• drop-in surgeries 

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Case studies

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Dissertation or research project

• 

  Essays

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Projects

• 

  Seminar tasks/exercises

Skills and experience

Practical skills

Throughout the programme, you'll focus on applying principles to the real-world problems faced by the global food business sector.  

You'll develop a range of practical skills, including making managerial decisions, evaluating ethical standards, and carrying out data analysis. 

You'll also have access to our NU-Food facility, where you'll take part in sensory trials and have the opportunity to carry out your own. 

Business skills

Through business simulations, you'll work in an interdisciplinary team to manage a virtual company in a competitive environment 

During Stage 2, you'll complete a New Food Product Development module, working with an industry partner to develop a food or drink product, from conception to commercialisation. 

Our module in Sustainable Business Practice will equip you with the skills to compete in a global business environment, where the challenges of net-zero, ethical supply chain management, and sustainable resource use sit alongside more conventional business objectives.

You'll also be able to put your learning into practice with a placement year in industry.

Research skills

Research skills are developed throughout the degree. 

As part of the New Food Product Development module, you'll gather and analyse consumer research, showcasing your product at a pop-up shop. 

In your third year, you'll carry out an in-depth research project.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You'll be part of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences on our Newcastle city-centre campus.

You'll have access to modern laboratories equipped with industry-standard equipment. You'll also use NU-Food, our food and consumer research facility.

You can also use our computing facilities, including industry-standard software used in agriculture businesses, to help ensure you're career-ready.

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

There's also a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works.

Your future

This course equips you with the broad knowledge that comes with a management and marketing degree, as well as a niche set of skills specific to the food industry. 

Graduates from this course are well-equipped for management roles within the food processing, retail, and food service sector, as well as a wide range of careers within the global food supply chain management sector. 

The transferable analytic and problem-solving skills you will develop during your studies are sought after by a wide variety of employers around the world, opening up careers in finance, recruitment, management, marketing and communications, and consulting.

Industry links

Throughout your studies, you'll benefit from the University's strong links with key industry names.

Through a variety of industry visits, you'll develop a broad understanding of each part of the food chain and have the opportunity to make connections. 

You'll also have the opportunity to complete a work placement.

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed (see ‘Home Fee Students’ information below).

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) Not set
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 30600

Home Fee Students

Home students starting in 2024 entry
£9,250 is the maximum fee that we are currently permitted to charge for home fee-paying students. This is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Home students starting in 2025 entry

In November 2024 the government increased the maximum fee level to £9,535 for 2025/26. It is expected that Parliament will approve the Government’s proposed increase in January and we intend to confirm our Home fees at this higher level following this.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

 

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages