RE3RD-Rural Diversification

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: a.cropley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The focus of this module is to provide the necessary skills and understanding to be able to take strategic decisions over future business direction at the estate, farm and enterprise level, and to recognise opportunities for diversifying the commercial base of rural businesses.

Aims:

The aims of the module are:

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

2. To examine the issues to be considered before a diversification project is undertaken; and

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

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module the student should be able to:

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

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

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

4. Evaluate different funding possibilities for new enterprises;

5. Apply the essential principles of marketing to new and existing diversified businesses; and

6. Advise on appropriate diversification options in response to a client's brief.

Additional outcomes:

The module will provide opportunities for students to develop their analytical skills.

Outline content:

The role of diversification in rural business development

Different rural diversification enterprises (eg: renewable energy, farm shops, visitor attractions)

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

Finance: sources, loans, grants Legal/ownership: business structure, tenure, taxation

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.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
One two-hour 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:
A mark of at least 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: 20 April 2018