RE3RD-Rural Diversification

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: a.cropley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to provide students with the necessary skills and understanding to be able to take strategic decisions about diversification at the estate, farm and enterprise level. Diversification is seen by policy makers and many rural practitioners as a key mechanism for improving the income streams and resilience of farms and rural estates in the light of proposed changes to agricultural support and other issues affecting the business environment in which farms and estates operate.

This module is delivered at the University of Reading only.

Aims:

The aims of the module are: 

• To introduce students to the range of diversification opportunities possible on farms and rural estates. 


• To examine the issues to be considered before a diversification project is undertaken. 


• To develop an appreciation of the key factors in successful management of diversified ventures. 


• To explore the issues facing diversified businesses at the point of sale/succession.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to: 

• Discuss the key factors that lead a land/estate manager to consider diversification. 


• Identify and appraise the diversification opportunities for particular sites, through the application of analytical frameworks. 


• Explain issues of policy, planning, law and valuation as affecting diversification. 


• Apply the essential princip les of marketing to new and existing diversified businesses. 

Additional outcomes:

The module will provide opportunities for students to develop their analytical skills and apply innovative approaches to assessing rural businesses.

Outline content:

• The role of diversification in rural business development. 


• Different rural diversification enterprises, both traditional and innovative. 


• Business plans: strategic planning, marketing/market research, resource evaluation, budgets and costs. 


• Planning context to rural diversification. 


• Business development: monitoring, performance. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will comprise taught lecture sessions and site visits. There will be a revision session in the summer term. Students are expected to augment the class material with significant reading from the reference list, at advice from the teaching team.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Two-hour written examination. 

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy: 

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;


• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark for the module is 40% 

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirements, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020